Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
Published on: November 30, 2020
The perception of circular economy in the framework of fashion industry
Iliana Papamichael1, Georgia Chatziparaskeva1, Irene Voukkali1
1Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Latsia, Cyprus.
Abstract:
Humanity's three main components are energy, food and clothing. Each of us, individually and collectively, contributes to climate change and CO2 emissions, natural resource consumption, and social attitudes and behaviour. Global fashion trends are expected to increase in value from 1.5 trillion dollars in 2020 to around 2.25 trillion dollars by 2025, indicating that the fashion demand is on the rise. Due to climate change, soil and water scarcity, and a variety of other diseases, new natural resources must be developed from plastic fibres, natural colours must replace synthetic ones, water consumption must be reduced and the 'buy-and-throw-away philosophy' must be replaced with 'buy-less-and-these-are-needed' and incorporate the 12 'R' strategies to aid the transition to a circular economy. In the context of waste management as well as on the development of new strategy approach, the fashion industry requires a new business circular model and furthermore a new mindset.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Environmental Impact of Resource Use
01:30Social Benefits of Synthetic Materials
01:30Energy Use in Manufacturing Synthetic Materials
01:27Patterns of Energy Consumption
01:28Energy Use in Industry, Agriculture
Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground...

