Industrial symbiosis as an opportunity to promote circular economy in the Textile Industry

In recent decades, the textile industry has undergone remarkable growth, leading to a shift in our vision of fashion towards a preference for affordable clothing and frequent renewal of our wardrobes. This current model of the textile industry has resulted in significant environmental and social impacts, requiring a shift from a linear to a circular model to support sustainable and ethical development. Industrial symbiosis, which consists of a collaborative approach between different entities through exchanges of resources and products for mutual benefit, is considered by many scientific articles and by the European Commission as a tool for the circular economy. This study examines the potential of industrial symbiosis in textile waste management by identifying the benefits and barriers found in literature and comparing them to a real case study. It also compares the tools and indicators used to assess industrial symbiosis. The case study results and literature review indicate that the application of industrial symbiosis to the textile industry can bring environmental, social and economic benefits, making it a promising approach for the sector. To quantitatively assess these benefits, a combined material flow analysis and life cycle assessment method is suggested, along with a social network analysis to model the system.