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Enabling Circular Fashion Through Product Life Extension

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Sustainable Approaches in Textiles and Fashion

Abstract

The concept of circular economy is gaining traction as an alternative way of overcoming sustainability issues embedded in the linear fashion system. Circular economy business models are established based on the concept that the resources are kept on using for a longer period. Extending product life, a key strategy of circular economy, aims to keep the product in use to the highest extent as possible through design and operational practices. This chapter offers a comprehensive overview of strategies that enables extending the life of a fashion product. Three major strategies of (i) design for long life, (ii) product service systems that enable collaborative consumption through repairing, exchange, rental and leasing services, and (iii) refashioning models which are facilitated by the producer, or consumer-based Do-It-Yourself (DIY) methods are discussed in detail, together with their pros and cons. This analysis provides useful insights for the designers, consumers and businesses to support the transition towards sustainable and circular fashion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, 10400, Sri Lanka

    D. G. K. Dissanayake

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  1. D. G. K. Dissanayake
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Correspondence to D. G. K. Dissanayake .

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  1. Head of Sustainability, SgT and API, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu

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Dissanayake, D.G.K. (2022). Enabling Circular Fashion Through Product Life Extension. In: Muthu, S.S. (eds) Sustainable Approaches in Textiles and Fashion. Sustainable Textiles: Production, Processing, Manufacturing & Chemistry. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0530-8_2

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