Dr. Hanna Karg
Dr. rer. nat. M.Sc. Geography
+49 (0)6221 4767 120
hanna.karg@ifeu.de
Sven Gärtner
Dipl. Physik Ingenieur (graduate in physical engineering)
+49 (0)6221 4767 64
sven.gaertner@ifeu.de
Guidelines for sustainable clothing and textiles
We need a textile revolution - towards sustainable clothing consumption. These guidelines show you how you can protect the environment and conserve resources by buying, using, and passing on clothing more consciously - for a more sustainable wardrobe.
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Purchasing: choosing more consciously
- Buy less, but buy more selectively: Question every purchase decision - do I really need this? Avoid impulse buys that you know will just end up hanging in your closet.
- It's better to go to the store than shop online: This has the advantage of being able to try on clothes. Returns are a big problem, as they often cannot be resold at the same price.
- Prefer durable products: Pay attention to the quality of the material and workmanship. Durable textiles save resources and cause less waste.
- Choose sustainable materials: Prefer textiles with recognized environmental and social labels. Recommended materials include organic cotton, lyocell, natural fibers such as hemp, recycled fibers, and single-fiber materials (e.g., without elastic fibers if possible), which are easier to recycle. Knitted textiles are preferable to woven fabrics, and unbleached, undyed textiles are better than bleached and dyed ones.
- Second-hand is the first choice: Second-hand clothing saves resources and extends the life cycle. Borrowing clothing - for special occasions, for example - also reduces the need for new purchases.
- Question fashion trends: Don't be driven by ultra-fast fashion trends. Build an individual wardrobe that can be easily and variedly combined - this is good for the environment and your nerves.
- Buy less, but buy more selectively: Question every purchase decision - do I really need this? Avoid impulse buys that you know will just end up hanging in your closet.
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Use: maintain and protect
- Wash less – clean consciously: Sometimes airing out is enough instead of washing. Only wash when necessary, with a full load and at a low temperature.
- Avoid microplastics: Use special laundry bags or filters to reduce microfiber discharge from synthetic textiles. Avoid garments with particularly high fiber release (e.g., fleece).
- Repair instead of replacing: Minor damage can often be easily repaired—sew, mend, or take it to a tailor. This will significantly extend the life of your garments.
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Passing on: Closing cycles
- Swap, donate, sell: Pass on clothing in good condition—to friends, online, or to charitable organizations. Use swap meets and rental systems, especially for clothing for special occasions.
- Dispose of correctly: Textiles do not belong in the residual waste. Use textile collections or return systems for well-preserved clothing and home textiles.
- Discover upcycling: Creative recycling gives old textiles a new lease of life – as a bag or pillowcase.
ÜBER-AUS: Resource-efficient use of surplus and waste materials from the textile industry through the creation of regional recycling loops
The textile industry is one of the most resource-intensive industries. The ÜBER-AUS project is exploring ways to reduce waste from production and logistics while improving its valorisation.
The Key: Chemical recycling of polyester in fibre blends as a key enabler for a holistic, circular textile economy
The project “The Key” promotes the complete recycling of polyester/cotton blended fabrics through an optimized combination of innovative chemical and mechanical recycling processes.
Balance on mass flow, climate change and environmental aspects for the federal province of Berlin in 2020
SKU-balance 2020
The SKU balance has been compiled every two years since 2010. A focus topic of the SKU balance 2020 is the investigation into the generation and treatment of used textiles and e-waste.
DiTex
Digital technologies as enabler of a resource-efficient circular economy: pilot test in the B2B textile industry
Production of textiles from fresh fibres implies environmentally harmful exhaust air and waste water emissions in fibre production and textile finishing. At the same time, these processes consume…