The textile industry produces substantial waste and environmental impacts in its production of textile goods. Waste management strategy is an issue in the textile industry as companies seek new ways to reduce environmental impacts of their production. The purpose of this research is to understand how textile companies are currently managing and reducing their waste and integrating sustainability into their production. Through an interview analysis of six textile producers, this study concludes that production optimization and internal resource reuse for waste reduction along with local recirculation systems provides opportunities for implementing circularity as a means to reduce waste in textile production. I also find that companies that were not founded with a sustainability-oriented mission struggle to create a culture surrounding sustainability. Further, developing technology and intentional product design for waste mitigation present challenges in textile production waste reduction goals.
Highest Honors Thesis under the direction of Mr. Jeffrey Mittelstadt
