Sustainable fashion : challenges and barriers for advancing the circular economy

Sehnem, Simone and Troiani, Leonice and Lara, Ana Cláudia and Crizel, Marcelo Guerreiro and Carvalho, Luciano and Picanço Rodrigues, Vinícius (2023) Sustainable fashion : challenges and barriers for advancing the circular economy. Environment, Development and Sustainability. ISSN 1573-2975 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02872-9)

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Abstract

The textile sector is considered one of the most polluting sectors of society. In order to generate a transformation in value-added products from the textile production chain, the educational sector plays a strategic role. This paper validates theoretical propositions about teaching good practices in sustainability and circular economy. The theoretical assumptions that supported this study are circular economy and sustainable fashion. The study was carried out in Brazil, and it includes Fashion Design courses at the undergraduate level. Primary data was obtained by the application of a questionnaire with teachers, coordinators and students of 54 courses. The main results show the absence of the term teaching of good sustainability practices within the political pedagogical projects of the analyzed courses. We conclude that, although there is an internalization of sustainability and circular economy practices, it is still necessary to evolve a higher maturity stage in the type of practices disseminated and in the emphasis on practices associated with the core of the circular economy. Practices are capable of generating a new meaning in the fashion sector, circulating materials and retaining value in resources in a strategic way and generating innovative solutions for the sustainable fashion segment.