Closed loop supply chains in apparel: Current state and future directions

The apparel and textile industry (AT) is considered one of the most polluting industries in the world due to the complexity of the supply chain and the high volume of natural resources and toxic chemicals used during manufacturing. Closed loop supply chains (CLSC) for apparel and textile are unique and therefore the circular economy solutions that exist for other industries, especially the electronics industry where these solutions are used extensively, may not be successful. This study aims to evaluate the practices of fashion brands that currently employ a CLSC to better understand the existing strategies and prevalent issues in comparison to the electronics industry. We developed a framework based on factors that identify the delineating aspects of a CLSC and performed a content analysis of the publicly available sustainability reports of companies. The results show the need for different solutions between the industries and indicate a need for research that is informed by the AT specific contextual factors since one-fits-all solutions will not work well across industries. The best closed loop supply chain (CLSC) solutions will be context dependent, industry characteristics will dictate the type and mode of CLSC solutions that will work; what works in one industry might not work in another.Key decision makers should assess their industry's circular maturity, the less mature an industry the more fluid its CLSC practices may be giving executives greater flexibility on type and mode of CLSC practices to implement.Key decision makers in the apparel or similar industries should note that industry level differences in End-of-Use product acquisition, component reprocessing, and material recycling have implications for CLSC design and coordination.