Sustainability Initiatives in the Textile Industry: a Semi-systematic Review

Abstract

The textile industry is a significant contributor to environmental degradation due to its high consumption of water, energy, and raw materials, along with the release of harmful chemicals and pollutants throughout the production process. Its impact is further exacerbated by large-scale waste generation, including microplastics from synthetic fibers, making it one of the industries with the highest environmental footprint globally. As a result, the textile industry is facing growing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint by embracing circular economy principles and aligning with both short-term and long-term sustainability targets at global and national scales. This shift aims to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible production practices to mitigate the industry's significant ecological impact. This study aims to conduct a semi systematic review of global sustainability initiatives within the textile sector, given its substantial impact on various environmental dimensions. The specific objectives are to identify and evaluate existing policies, strategies, emerging initiatives, and technologies that contribute to sustainability targets. The study will assess gaps in current strategies to determine their adequacy in meeting sustainability goals and identify areas requiring further research and development. Additionally, the research will explore the barriers and drivers influencing the implementation of necessary changes within the global textile industry.