Brazilian potential for circular fashion through strengthening local production

Abstract

Textile and garment industry ranks among the world’s dirtiest sectors. The long-term success of the sector will depend on the control of social and environmental resources in the entire product life cycle. The “circular economy” (CE) concept is fast becoming a new model for resilient growth. However, CE continues to be understood largely as a waste management and recycling strategy, but the economic opportunities are far broader and more diverse. The success of the CE in developing countries will be critical to global efforts to ensure sustainable growth. Brazil’s textile and garment industry is the largest complete textile chain in the West and ranks among the world’s top producers of textiles and apparel. This sector is also the second largest generator of manufacturing jobs in Brazil. On the other hand, of the 8 million workers that are estimated, 6.5 are irregular ones. The objective of this paper was to provide a comprehensive review of research efforts encompassing aspects of CE as value network, local production, economic benefits and Brazilian fashion market. By this, it is expected to bring new contributions to neglected issues, the manufacturing base as CE strategy and the social performance. The two main contributions of this research are to highlight Brazilian focus and to find how circular approaches align with and support the already existing domestic industrial and social development strategies.