Fashion waste management: a sustainability Maturity Model

The textile industry, a significant player in the global economy, is at a crossroads between production efficiency and environmental responsibility. It causes 20% of global wastewater, 10% of carbon emissions and 92 tons of wastes per year: every second, a rubbish truck full of textiles is dumped in landfills or incinerated. Who are the main actors? Do companies know the waste amount they produce? How do they dispose of it? Despite the urgent need for transparent and sustainable supply chains within the sector, in the actual literature there is a lack of tools to address these questions. To fill this gap, this study proposes a Sustainability Waste Maturity Model (SWMM) for the textile industry. The maturity model methodology assesses and enhances organizational processes through defined levels; it benchmarks the current states, identifies improvement areas, and guides toward higher efficiency, aiding in achieving strategic goals. The SWMM is focused on sustainability within the fashion industry, investigating critical areas such as environmental impact, waste management, sustainable design, sustainable supply chain, policies and regulations, reverse logistics, innovation and research, and collaborations and partnerships. It offers a framework for assessing and improving sustainability practices according to the maturity level along with the best practices. By fostering a deeper understanding of their sustainability and waste management maturity, companies can better align their strategies with environmental objectives, thus making a significant contribution to promote the industry shift towards more responsible and eco-friendly operations.