The perspectives of economic actors on EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textile
Kylänlahti-Harmaala, Mari (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023121135939
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023121135939
Tiivistelmä
This thesis studies the impact of the recently published EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles on economic actors within the Finnish clothing sector. As the textile industry faces critical challenges of overconsumption, textile waste, unsustainable use of raw materials, and unfair working conditions, the EU strategy aims to address these issues by introducing new requirements in ecodesign, regulating the destruction of unsold clothes, combating microplastics pollution, and addressing green claims and greenwashing.
Through an interview survey with various economic actors in the Finnish clothing sector, this thesis seeks to understand their perspectives on the EU strategy and identify common themes emerging from the interviews. The goal is to analyze the effects of the strategy on these actors and their operations. The strategy emphasizes measures such as the digital product passport to enhance traceability and transparency in the supply chain and extended producer responsibility to ensure manufacturers appropriately handle waste. Ultimately, the European Union envisions the strategy as a means to diminish the prevalence of fast fashion, enhance sustainability in supply chains, and facilitate a transition toward a more sustainable textile ecosystem. The key findings highlight a sense of uncertainty and confusion among economic actors, with varying levels of awareness about the strategy. Common themes emerged, including concerns about increased costs, a critical view of Digital Product Passport (DPP), and apprehensions regarding the implications of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Despite a shared understanding of the strategy's objectives, communication gaps were identified, both from legislative authorities and, in some instances, at the corporate level. The research concludes that addressing these communication shortcomings is crucial. In response to the central research question regarding the effects of the EU textile strategy on economic actors, it is observed that these actors anticipate rising expenses, potential loss of clientele, and increased workloads, impacting supply chain phases and, consequently, prices. The mandatory collection of textiles by manufacturers necessitates careful planning for the effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Through an interview survey with various economic actors in the Finnish clothing sector, this thesis seeks to understand their perspectives on the EU strategy and identify common themes emerging from the interviews. The goal is to analyze the effects of the strategy on these actors and their operations. The strategy emphasizes measures such as the digital product passport to enhance traceability and transparency in the supply chain and extended producer responsibility to ensure manufacturers appropriately handle waste. Ultimately, the European Union envisions the strategy as a means to diminish the prevalence of fast fashion, enhance sustainability in supply chains, and facilitate a transition toward a more sustainable textile ecosystem. The key findings highlight a sense of uncertainty and confusion among economic actors, with varying levels of awareness about the strategy. Common themes emerged, including concerns about increased costs, a critical view of Digital Product Passport (DPP), and apprehensions regarding the implications of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Despite a shared understanding of the strategy's objectives, communication gaps were identified, both from legislative authorities and, in some instances, at the corporate level. The research concludes that addressing these communication shortcomings is crucial. In response to the central research question regarding the effects of the EU textile strategy on economic actors, it is observed that these actors anticipate rising expenses, potential loss of clientele, and increased workloads, impacting supply chain phases and, consequently, prices. The mandatory collection of textiles by manufacturers necessitates careful planning for the effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)