Circular Business Models for Fashion & Apparel: How can policy make the economics work?

For the fashion and apparel industry to operate within the planetary boundaries, it will be necessary to shift to circular business models that decouple economic activity from the use of virgin materials and other resources. To achieve this, it will be necessary to break away from linear ways of doing business, and to boost the economic rationale for product longevity, reuse, repair and recycling.

What policy tools and mechanisms are needed on the road to 2030 to accelerate the uptake and positive impact of circular business models in apparel and textiles? How do the proposed EU Textile Strategy and related legislative proposals address circular business models and what are the policy gaps?

During this webinar we will hear perspectives and suggestions from various experts and stakeholders, including representatives from retail, social enterprise, city government and a repair/remanufacturing provider. We will also hear the European Commission’s view on the role of policy and legislation in enabling the uptake of circular business models for textiles.

Programme

Moderator: Michael Schragger, The Sustainable Fashion Academy

• WelcomeFlorian Marin, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee Michael Schragger, The Sustainable Fashion Academy
• Circular Business Models in Apparel & Textiles – the current state of playGwen Cunningham, Textiles Lead, Circle Economy
• Policy incentives for circular business models: what’s the policy landscape today?Valérie Boiten, Senior Policy Officer, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Stakeholders weigh in: What is needed from EU and national policy makers? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current EU proposals?Sara Eriksson, Business expert Circular business models, H&M Group Louana Lamer, Head of EPR for textiles at Emmaüs France Hans Robben, Programme Manager The Renewal Workshop, Bleckmann Roosmarie Ruigrok, Advisor circular textiles & Coordinator Denim Deal, City of Amsterdam
• Final reflections from EU Commission and Parliament representativesMaria Rincon-Lievana, Policy officer, DG Environment, European Commission
• How can EU policy and legislation accelerate the shift?Maria Rincon-Lievana, DG Environment, European Commission
• Wrapping up & next stepsMichael Schragger, The Sustainable Fashion Academy