Global Fashion Agenda Launches a New Initiative in Türkiye to Combat Textile Waste

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has announced a new initiative, Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye, aimed at reducing textile waste and supporting a circular textile economy in Türkiye. The initiative focuses particularly on the effective management and recycling of post-industrial textile waste generated during production processes. Led by Global Fashion Agenda, the program is implemented in collaboration with Türkiye-based partner Rematters and supported by organizations such as Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion, and Circle Economy Foundation. The initiative is funded by the H&M Foundation. Scheduled to begin in early 2026, Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye aims to establish waste management systems within textile factories, increase traceability through digital tools, and create strong connections between manufacturers and recycling organizations. The program also seeks to support suppliers in adapting to increasingly stringent environmental regulations and policy requirements. Türkiye holds a strategic position for scaling textile-to-textile recycling due to its strong textile manufacturing infrastructure, proximity to the European Union, and rising sustainability expectations. Through this initiative, improvements in waste segregation processes, the expansion of fiber-to-fiber recycling solutions, and the creation of domestic value are targeted. Ultimately, the program aims to reduce reliance on virgin raw materials and promote more sustainable production models. Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye will be implemented as part of the Global Circular Fashion Forum led by Global Fashion Agenda. Similar programs previously carried out in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia have enabled the tracking of tens of thousands of tons of textile waste and the matching of numerous factories and global brands with recycling partners. The Türkiye program will build on these experiences and adapt proven best practices to local conditions. Throughout the program, a range of activities is planned, including on-site waste management assessments, training initiatives, recycling matchmaking events, stakeholder meetings, and policy dialogues. These efforts are expected to make a significant contribution to the transformation of Türkiye’s textile sector toward a more circular, low-waste, and sustainable future.