Textiles
Textiles have played a strong role in Scotland’s cultural and industrial history. Today the sector designs and manufactures for global markets in fashion, furnishings and many other products.
Circular practices in textiles aren't just good for the planet - they’re smart economics. By designing out waste from the outset and embracing strategies like reuse, repair, rental, and recycling, businesses can unlock new revenue streams, reduce waste management costs, and build resilience against volatile global supply chains.
Scotland’s transition toward local production and fibre-to-fibre recycling offers opportunities to:
Create skilled jobs and revive regional manufacturing
Collaborate for economies of scale, reducing costs and increasing competitiveness
Access public procurement markets that increasingly favour sustainable solutions
Benefit from future legislation, such as Extended Producer Responsibility, which will reward circular design
Redesigning textiles
If you're involved in textiles in Scotland, especially in leadership or strategic roles, this is a prime time to:
- Adopt circular design and production to reduce waste, extend product life, and create new revenue through reuse, repair, and remanufacturing.
- Collaborate with government and industry to access funding, shape policy, and build infrastructure for circular innovation.
- Invest in skills and training to close Scotland’s repair and sustainable design skills gap and future-proof your workforce.
- Improve margins through remanufacturing and resource efficiency, reworking waste into new products and reducing energy and water use.
- Use digital tools like product passports and analytics for traceability, performance optimisation, and regulatory compliance.
- Champion collaboration over competition by forming alliances with other SMEs to share to share tech, coordinate logistics, and scale impact through collective action.
Circular economy principles in textiles
Design for Longevity and Reuse: Improve durability and use modular, common components to extend product life, simplify repairs and upgrades, reduce waste, and lower costs.
Use of Renewable and Recycled Materials: Using recycled and locally sourced materials reduces reliance on volatile markets, strengthens supply chain resilience, and meets rising demand for sustainable products.
Resource Efficiency and Waste Minimisation: Lower energy, water, and material costs through lean, closed-loop production while reducing waste disposal fees and improving operational efficiency.
Product-as-a-Service Models: Offers recurring revenue through leasing or maintenance services, while retaining asset ownership for better lifecycle control and stronger customer loyalty.
Reverse Logistics and Take-Back Schemes: Recover valuable materials for reuse or resale while offering responsible end-of-life options that build customer loyalty.
Digital Technologies for Circularity: Use IoT and AI to monitor product health, optimise inventory, and reduce downtime. Enhance traceability and regulatory compliance through digital product passports.
Latest Research
We conducted our largest piece of research on textiles and have now produced three complementary reports. Together, they provide a detailed view of textiles material flow across the Scottish value chain, stakeholder insights to required policy interventions and analysis of potential measures that take account of practicality, feasibility and impact.
Useful reports
Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030
Published by the Scottish Government, the Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 outlines the Scottish Government’s strategic priorities, including textiles, and sets the direction for policy, investment, and industry collaboration.
State of the Circular Economy Report
Published by Zero Waste Scotland, the State of the Circular Economy Report quantifies the economic contribution of circular sectors, including textiles, and highlights opportunities for growth, innovation, and job creation.
Waste Reprocessing Infrastructure in Scotland
Published by the Scottish Government, the Waste Reprocessing Infrastructure in Scotland report outlines Scotland’s current and planned infrastructure for reprocessing 15 material streams, including textiles, and highlights gaps and opportunities for investment.
Tools and resources
WRAP Circular Design Toolkit
A practical guide for embedding circular design principles into product development, with case studies and actionable strategies for businesses.
WRAP Textiles Sorting and Recycling Database
The Textiles Sorting and Recycling Database is an open-source database of textile recyclers and sorters across the UK and Europe.
Support from external organisations
Scottish Business Climate Collaboration
A coalition of major Scottish companies working together to help businesses, especially SMEs, take practical steps toward net-zero through free tools, training, and carbon reduction resources.
Textile Recycling Association
Textile Recycling Association (TRA) is the UK’s trade body for collectors, processors, and exporters of used textiles, promoting best practices and supporting the effective reuse and recycling of clothing and other textile materials.
UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT)
UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) supports fashion and textile businesses across the UK with resources on sustainability, innovation, skills development, and
Circular Communities Scotland
Circular Communities Scotland represents 250+ reuse, repair, and recycling charities and social enterprises across Scotland.