Headnote
ABSTRACT
Objective: Conduct a systematic review of the textile industry and its waste, in light of sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at global, national and regional levels, with a focus on Pernambuco, identifying practices, challenges and opportunities.
Theoretical Foundation: It is based on the historical evolution of the sector, textile waste management, sustainability in fashion and SDGs (8, 9, 11, 12 and 13), discussing environmental, social and economic impacts such as water pollution, microplastics and productive informality.
Methodology: Systematic review according to the PRISMA protocol, covering publications from 2015 to 2025, in Portuguese and English, in the Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Of 1,539 initial records, 11 studies comprised the final sample.
Results and Conclusions: Advances have been identified, such as the use of agri-food waste in biotextile production, the application of advanced oxidative processes for effluent treatment, the integration of Lean Production and Cleaner Production, and water reuse in laundries. However, challenges persist, such as low recycling rates, the absence of specific policies for textile waste, deficiencies in effluent management, informal production, and technical and financial barriers to the adoption of clean technologies. The most common environmental impacts include water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, the generation of microplastics, and the waste of natural resources. The findings support the formulation of public policies and business strategies aimed at the circular economy and sustainability in the textile sector.
Originality/Value: A multi-scalar and interdisciplinary approach that integrates historical, socioeconomic, and environmental analyses, offering a comprehensive overview of the topic and pointing to concrete paths for the sustainable transition of the textile sector.
Keywords: Brazilian Industrialization, Textile Waste, Environmental Impact, SDG, Pernambuco.
RESUMO
Objetivo: Realizar revisão sistemática sobre a indústria têxtil e seus resíduos, à luz da sustentabilidade e dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), nos âmbitos global, nacional e regional, com foco em Pernambuco, identificando práticas, desafios e oportunidades.
Fundamentação Teórica: Baseia-se na evolução histórica do setor, gestão de resíduos têxteis, sustentabilidade na moda e ODS (8, 9, 11, 12 e 13), discutindo impactos ambientais, sociais e econômicos como poluição hídrica, microplásticos e informalidade produtiva.
Metodologia: Revisão sistemática segundo o protocolo PRISMA, cobrindo publicações de 2015 a 2025, em português e inglês, nas bases Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus e Google Scholar. De 1.539 registros iniciais, 11 estudos compuseram a amostra final.
Resultados e Conclusões: Identificaram-se avanços como uso de resíduos agroalimentares na produção de biotêxteis, aplicação de processos oxidativos avançados para tratamento de efluentes, integração de Produção Enxuta e Produção Mais Limpa, e reuso de água em lavanderias. Contudo, persistem desafios como baixa reciclagem, ausência de políticas específicas para resíduos têxteis, deficiências na gestão de efluentes, informalidade produtiva e barreiras técnicas e financeiras para adoção de tecnologias limpas. Os impactos ambientais mais recorrentes incluem poluição hídrica, emissão de gases de efeito estufa, geração de microplásticos e desperdício de recursos naturais. Os achados subsidiam a formulação de políticas públicas e estratégias empresariais voltadas à economia circular e à sustentabilidade no setor têxtil.
Originalidade/Valor: Abordagem multiescalar e interdisciplinar, que integra análises históricas, socioeconômicas e ambientais, oferecendo um panorama abrangente do tema e apontando caminhos concretos para a transição sustentável do setor têxtil.
Palavras-chave: Industrialização Brasileira, Resíduos Têxteis, Impacto Ambiental, ODS, Pernambuco.
RESUMEN
Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática de la industria textil y sus residuos, desde la perspectiva de la sostenibilidad y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), a nivel global, nacional y regional, con especial atención a Pernambuco, identificando prácticas, desafíos y oportunidades.
Fundamento teórico: Se basa en la evolución histórica del sector, la gestión de residuos textiles, la sostenibilidad en la moda y los ODS (8, 9, 11, 12 y 13), analizando los impactos ambientales, sociales y económicos, como la contaminación hídrica, los microplásticos y la informalidad productiva.
Metodología: Revisión sistemática según el protocolo PRISMA, que abarca publicaciones de 2015 a 2025, en portugués e inglés, en las bases de datos Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus y Google Scholar. De 1539 registros iniciales, 11 estudios constituyeron la muestra final.
Resultados y Conclusiones: Se han identificado avances, como el aprovechamiento de residuos agroalimentarios en la producción de biotextiles, la aplicación de procesos oxidativos avanzados para el tratamiento de efluentes, la integración de la Producción Esbelta y la Producción Más Limpia, y la reutilización del agua en lavanderías. Sin embargo, persisten desafíos, como las bajas tasas de reciclaje, la ausencia de políticas específicas para residuos textiles, las deficiencias en la gestión de efluentes, la producción informal y las barreras técnicas y financieras para la adopción de tecnologías limpias. Los impactos ambientales más comunes incluyen la contaminación del agua, las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, la generación de microplásticos y el desperdicio de recursos naturales. Los hallazgos respaldan la formulación de políticas públicas y estrategias empresariales orientadas a la economía circular y la sostenibilidad en el sector textil.
Originalidad/Valor: Un enfoque multiescalar e interdisciplinario que integra análisis históricos, socioeconómicos y ambientales, ofreciendo una visión general del tema y señalando caminos concretos para la transición sostenible del sector textil.
Palabras clave: Industrialización Brasileña, Residuos Textiles, Impacto Ambiental, ODS, Pernambuco.
1 INTRODUCTION
Abstract: The textile industry is one of the oldest and most relevant economic activities in the world, playing a significant role in generating jobs and moving the global economy. However, its accelerated growth and its intensive production structure also make it one of the main responsible for the generation of solid waste, environmental impacts and pollution, especially with regard to the volume of materials discarded improperly. The advance of globalisation and the increase in consumption in recent decades have intensified the production and disposal of textile waste on a global scale, bringing to the fore urgent discussions on sustainability, waste management and consumption patterns (Lobo; Limeira; Marques, 2014).
In this sense, several countries have sought to align the fashion and clothing industry to the principles of sustainability and the circular economy, through the adoption of public policies, technologies and innovative practices aimed at mitigating socio-environmental impacts. These efforts are directly linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN), especially SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Action against global climate change), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure). The 2030 Agenda, launched in 2015, proposes a profound transformation in production and consumption patterns, integrating economic growth with social justice and environmental preservation (Albuquerque et al., 2021; Caires et al., 2023).
In the Brazilian scenario, the textile industry represents one of the most traditional and relevant segments from an economic and social point of view, especially for its capacity to generate employment and boost local economies. However, this sector faces significant structural challenges, such as high informality, lack of incentives for sustainable innovation and incipient environmental awareness (Albuquerque et al., 2021; Caires et al., 2023). The enactment of the National Policy on Solid Waste (PNRS), through Law No. 12,305 / 2010 (Brazil, 2010), represented an important normative advance by establishing guidelines for the proper management of waste. However, the practical application of this policy is hampered by limitations such as insufficient selective collection infrastructure, the absence of effective reuse systems, the inspection deficit and the absence of special attention focused on textiles (Brazil, 2010).
Faced with this growth, the Local Productive Arrangements (LPAs) appear as viable alternatives for the strengthening of territorial governance and for the promotion of sustainable practices in the textile production chain. Characterised by the geographic concentration of companies interconnected by common economic activities, LPAs favour cooperation between entrepreneurs, support entities, research centres and local governments (Nascimento; Gonçalves, 2023). Examples such as the textile clusters of Blumenau (SC), Caruaru (PE) and Nova Friburgo (RJ) demonstrate the potential of these agglomerations to promote regional development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially with regard to building more resilient cities (SDG 11) and mitigating environmental impacts (SDG 13).
In the state of Pernambuco, particularly in regions such as the Agreste, where there is a strong concentration of manufacturing poles, the problem of textile waste is intensified by the low capacity of environmental management and the fragmentation of sustainable actions (Sousa, Oliveira; Maracajá, 2024). Despite the economic vitality of the local production chain, its structure remains disjointed in relation to the principles of sustainability. In this context, the need to incorporate the SDGs into regional development strategies is highlighted, with an emphasis on SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), promoting the modernisation of the textile industry with a focus on reducing impacts and strengthening environmental governance (Nascimento; Gonçalves, 2023).
In the capital of Pernambuco and its Metropolitan Region, the textile sector also plays an important role, with a large number of small clothing and sewing workshops aimed at the local market and production on demand. However, inadequate waste disposal, informality and the lack of specific public policies make this context challenging. The absence of integrated collection, sorting and reuse systems aggravates environmental impacts and hinders the implementation of circular solutions. Thus, it is essential to articulate actions aimed at SDGs 8, 11 and 12, in order to promote greater social inclusion, urban sustainability and innovation in local production processes (Sousa, Oliveira; Maracajá, 2024).
Thus, there is a need to understand how the textile industry and its residues have been addressed in the scientific literature from the perspective of sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals as a legacy for posterity, in the global, national (Brazil) and regional (Pernambuco, Agreste and Recife) contexts?
Thus, and within this context, this article aimed to carry out a systematic review of the literature analysing the scientific production that addressed the theme of the textile industry and its waste in the light of sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with emphasis on global, national and regional contexts. As this was possible: (a) identify and categorise the main theoretical and methodological approaches of scientific studies on the textile industry and its waste, published between 2015 and 2025; (b) investigate the management practices and public policies for the treatment of textile waste adopted in different geographical contexts (international, national and regional); and (c) point out gaps and opportunities for the development of strategies in the light of sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the textile production chain, especially in the city of Recife and the Metropolitan Region.
2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The First Industrial Revolution (18th century) boosted the textile industry with innovations such as Jenny Spinning (1764) and the mechanical loom (1785), which mechanised production and gave rise to the manufacturing model, concentrating workers in urban centres. This advance was a precursor of modern industrialisation, influencing social, economic and environmental transformations (Lobo, Limeira; Marques, 2014). In the 19th and 20th centuries, the textile industry globalised, expanding to developing countries due to lower labour costs and fewer regulations. The emergence of fast fashion in the late twentieth century intensified the productive relocation to Asia, transforming regions such as China and Bangladesh into major poles (Lobo, Limeira; Marques, 2014).
In Brazil, the textile industry began in the colonial period, but consolidated in the early twentieth century, driven by World War I (Lobo; Limeira; Marques, 2014). Initially concentrated in the Southeast, it expanded to other regions, including the Northeast, due to regional development policies, labour and tax incentives (Lobo; Limeira; Marques, 2014; Silva and Melo, 2021). From the second half of the twentieth century, decentralisation was driven by policies such as Sudene, attracting investments to the Northeast (Nascimento; Gonçalves, 2023).
In Pernambuco, textile industrialisation began in the 19th century, benefiting from cotton production and trade routes. From the 1930s, there was greater momentum with the installation of factories (Sousa, Oliveira; Maracajá, 2024). The work of Herman Theodor Lundgren and Elizabeth Stolzenwald was crucial, culminating in the foundation of the Casas Pernambucanas (Lobo, Limeira; Marques, 2014). Recife was consolidated as a pole, with the Torre Building housing the Companhia de Tecidos Paulista (Lobo, Limeira; Marques, 2014) and the Fábrica Têxtil Othon (Moraes, 2020). Paulista also stood out with the Arthur Lundgren Weaving Factory S.A. (Moraes, 2020), and Camaragibe developed small weaving (Moraes, 2020). However, the industrial advance has generated environmental impacts, such as the pollution of the Capibaribe River by textile effluents (Silva and Xavier, 2020). Currently, Recife and its Metropolitan Region face challenges such as the absence of circular economy policies and the need for greater integration between sustainability and urban development (Silva; Xavier, 2020).
The concept of Local Productive Arrangements (LPAs) spread in Brazil in the late 1990s, with the MDIC fostering them from 2004 to stimulate local economies (Porto et al., 2025). LPAs are crucial for small and medium-sized cities, such as the Agreste region of Pernambuco, which is home to one of the largest textile LPAs in Brazil. Other northeastern states, such as Ceará and Paraíba, also have textile poles. In the South, Santa Catarina is a major hub, with clusters in Blumenau, Brusque, Jaraguá do Sul and São Bento do Sul. Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná also stand out. In the Southeast, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo have relevant LPAs (Silva; Xavier, 2020; Porto et al., 2025). In Goiás, in the Midwest, there is an LPA in Goiânia. Brazilian textile LPAs promote technical knowledge, employment and income, and value local vocations, being instruments of sustainable regional development (Nascimento; Gonçalves, 2023; Sousa, Oliveira; Maracajá, 2024).
In Pernambuco, the Agreste Clothing Centre (APLCAPE), which includes Caruaru, Toritama and Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, was consolidated from the 1950s/60s, driven by the Caruaru Fair and later by the Sulanca Fair (Porto et al., 2024). In the 1980s and 1990s, the APL grew with the production of jeans in Toritama and state incentives. Today, it is one of the largest poles in the country, characterised by micro and small companies, on-demand production and intense commercial activity (Silva; Melo, 2021).
Abstract: The textile industry causes environmental, social and economic damage globally, consuming a lot of water and energy, and using harmful chemicals. The production of a cotton T-shirt, for example, consumes about 2,700 litres of water. Abstract: Fast fashion aggravates the problem of textile waste, with much of it discarded in landfills or incinerated, increasing emissions and contamination (Silva; Xavier, 2020). In Brazil, low recycling and informality compromise sustainability, with industrial effluents polluting rivers (Lopes et al., 2025). In the Northeast, despite efforts for Industry 4.0, challenges such as low adherence to clean technologies and lack of environmental regulation persist (Silva; Xavier, 2020). In Pernambuco, the Agreste LPA faces critical challenges such as high water consumption in a semi-arid region.
3 METHODOLOGY
This article is a systematic review of the literature, following the PRISMA guidelines (Lima et al., 2019), to ensure rigour and reproducibility (Gil, 2002). The objective is to map how the textile industry and its waste are approached scientifically, focussing on sustainability and SDGs in the global, national (Brazil) and regional (Pernambuco, Agreste and Recife) contexts.
The research question, structured for systematic reviews, seeks to understand: "What are the main approaches, practices and impacts related to textile waste and sustainability in the fashion industry, in the light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a global, national focus and special attention to the context of Recife-PE?" (Gil, 2002).
3.1 SEARCH STRATEGY
The databases consulted were Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar, selected for their scientific relevance (Gil, 2002). Articles published between 2015 and 2025 were considered, to include recent studies on sustainability, textile industry and SDGs (Gil, 2002).
The search strategy used descriptors and Boolean operators (AND, OR) in Portuguese and English. In the Web of Science, the search for 'Brazilian industrialisation OR Textile waste AND Environmental impact AND SDG AND Pernambuco' resulted in 106 articles, of which 4 were selected. In Science Direct, 'Brazilian Industrialisation OR Textile Waste AND Environmental Impact AND ODS AND Pernambuco' generated 16 results, with 4 selected. In Scopus, 'Brazilian industrialisation OR Textile waste AND Environmental impact AND SDG' returned 7 articles, with 4 selected. In Google Scholar, 'Brazilian Industrialisation AND Textile Waste AND Environmental Impact AND ODS AND Pernambuco' (2020-2025) resulted in 1,410 review articles, of which 38 were selected.
Inclusion criteria: publications from 2015-2025; documents in Portuguese, English and Spanish; scientific articles, dissertations and theses; studies on textile industry, waste, management, sustainability in fashion and ODS. Exclusion criteria: studies not related to the textile industry/sustainability/waste; duplicates; documents without full access; research without empirical data or critical analysis.
The understanding of some fundamental concepts was essential to interpret the results of this systematic review and to analyse how the textile industry has been approached from the perspective of sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main key concepts used in this research were:
Waste management: Activities to reduce, treat, reuse and dispose of solid waste, aiming to minimise impacts and maximise reuse (Caires et al., 2023).
Textile industry: Covers fibre production, spinning, weaving, processing and confection. It is one of the oldest and most important industrial activities, but also a major consumer of resources and a waste generator (Sousa, Oliveira; Maracajá, 2024).
Textile waste: Materials discarded in the life cycle of textile products (leftovers, chips, used clothing). They can be pre-consumption or post-consumption, contributing to the overload of urban waste if unmanaged (Ferreira, Novaes and Gomes, 2024; Fletcher and Grose, 2011).
Fashion sustainability: Incorporation of environmentally sound, socially just and economically viable practices throughout the fashion value chain, from raw materials to conscious consumption (Santos and Oliveira, 2024).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): UN Global Agenda (2015) with 17 goals and 169 targets. In the textile industry, SDG 8 (Decent work), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities) (UN, 2015) stand out.
3.2 STUDY SELECTION PROCESS
The screening of the studies was carried out in three stages, according to the PRISMA protocol: (a) identification: search for studies through the keywords in the databases; (b) Screening: reading of titles and abstracts for application of exclusion criteria; and (c) eligibility and inclusion: full reading of the texts to verify adherence to the guiding question and inclusion criteria. In other words, initially, 1,539 studies were identified using the keywords; after that, 14 were removed because they were duplicated; 20 were corrupted; 1,455 were considered irrelevant after reading the titles and 50 for the abstracts to be read. After reading the abstracts, 11 were left to be read in full. Finally, after reading in full, the 11 studies were considered eligible to compose this study.
3.3 DATA PROCESSING ANALYSIS
After the selection, the articles were submitted to a detailed qualitative analysis. Initially, an exploratory reading was carried out, followed by an analytical reading to categorise the studies (Gil, 2002). The information was organised in tables and graphs, covering variables such as: year of publication, geographic region of the study, SDGs addressed, types of textile waste treated, management strategies identified and social, environmental and economic impacts reported. The thematic categorisation allowed the identification of patterns, gaps and opportunities for advancement in the field of study (Gil, 2002). Tables 1 and 2 were presented below, summarising the steps of the systematic literature review. Table 1 (Systematic search strategies) describes the number of results obtained in each database, according to the combination of keywords and Boolean operators used. Table 2 (PRISMA Summary Flowchart Template) provides an overview of the selection process for the survey.
To ensure the traceability and transparency of the selection process, a PRISMA flowchart was developed (Figure 2), graphically representing all stages of the review: identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion (Lima et al., 2019). In the flowchart it is possible to show the number of records excluded in each phase, with the respective justification.
The word cloud (Figure 3) highlights key concepts that represent the central pillars of contemporary discussions on sustainability and waste management in the textile industry. Terms such as management, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fashion and sustainability stand out, signalling both the relevance and urgency of the theme. The frequency with which these words appear reinforces the need for immediate and strategic actions aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts generated by the textile sector. This graphic representation synthesises, in a visual and concise way, the commitment to sustainable practices, evidenced by the efficient management of waste, adherence to the SDGs and the incorporation of sustainable principles along the fashion production chain.
4 RESULTSS AND DISCUSSIONS
The analysis of the scientific production reveals the diversity of approaches on textile waste, highlighting advances and challenges. The results are systematised as follows:
For Gouveia et al. (2021), in their international research on 'Circular economy for the fashion industry: Harnessing food industry waste for the production of biotextiles', they investigated the reuse of food waste (such as kombucha SCOBY and agro-industrial waste) to produce bacterial cellulose biotextiles, replacing synthetic materials and leather. The objective is to promote sustainability and mitigate impacts such as environmental contamination and ethical / social problems. The results confirmed the technical and environmental feasibility of bacterial cellulose as a biodegradable material, similar to leather, but highlighted the need for further studies on scalability and costs. The SDGs met are mainly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and indirectly SDG 9, SDG 13 and SDG 6. Challenges include scalability, cost, durability, and adaptation to fashion design.
Akter et al. (2022), in a local study in Bangladesh ('Textile and clothing manufacturing and material waste management in the circular economy: a conceptual model for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 for Bangladesh'), analysed material waste in 17 textile factories in Dhaka. Objectives: to identify waste and lost monetary value, track post-production waste for reuse/recycling, and develop a circular economy conceptual model for SDG 12. The SDGs met are SDG 12, SDG 9 and SDG 13. The results showed significant losses per exported piece ($0.70) and per 100 kg of production (spinning $177.24; wet processing $159.60; clothing $68.00), as well as an informal trade in waste. Types of waste include cotton lint, damaged yarn, rejected fabrics, leftovers and defective clothing. Impacts: environmental pollution, economic loss, occupation of landfills, non-biodegradable waste and public health problems. Technical problems: difficulty in controlling waste, lack of standardised data, low reuse and dependence on informal markets. The proposed strategy is the application of the circular economy with value stream mapping, incentive to recycling and use of ecological materials.
Khan et al. (2023), in a local research in Bangladesh ('Mapping the environmental sustainability of knitted fabric production facilities'), assessed the environmental sustainability of three knitted dyeing plants. Objectives: to understand and quantify environmental sustainability, identify risks and opportunities for improvement. Goals met: SDG 12, SDG 6, SDG 13 and SDG 9. Results: excessive use of water, dyes and chemicals, deficiencies in environmental management and effluent treatment, and low scores in the Higg FEM index. Waste: industrial effluents, sludge, solid waste, polluting gases and non-biodegradable chemicals. Impacts: water/soil contamination, air pollution, health risks and environmental degradation. Technical problems: lack of monitoring, lack of clear policies, lack of knowledge of sustainable technologies and financial limitations. The strategy included the Higg FEM 2.0 Index and multiple case study. The research, despite the limitations, contributes to the awareness and improvement of environmental performance.
Silva and Melo (2021), in a local study in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe-PE ('Lean Production and Cleaner Production in Confection: a continuous path in search of Sustainability in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe-PE'), compared Lean Manufacturing (LM) and Cleaner Production (P + L) and analysed their integrated application for sustainability. Goals met: SDG 12, SDG 9, SDG 6, SDG 13 and SDG 8. Residues: textile flaps, condensed water and silk screen effluents. Impacts: hard-to-decompose solid waste, water/energy waste and potential contamination. Technical problems: lack of data on outsourced workers, lack of career plan and limitations in circularity. The strategy integrated LM and P+L, resulting in mesh reuse (100%), water reuse, solar energy use and social valorisation. Joint adoption brought operational and financial gains.
Fleury and Oliveira (2021), in a theoretical-reflexive analysis ('Fast-slow: the paradox of the textile-clothing-fashion scenario'), investigated the duality between fast fashion and slow fashion, reflecting on their coexistence and relationship with sustainability discourses. SDGs met: SDG 12, SDG 8 and SDG 13. The article discusses excess production and accelerated disposal, with environmental and social implications (solid waste, mass disposal, resource exploitation). Impacts: dehumanisation of work, environmental degradation, consumerism and appropriation of slow discourse. Technical problems: greenwashing, superficial incorporation of slow practices and absence of real impact indicators. The strategy is a criticism of the instrumentalisation of sustainability as marketing, suggesting rethinking the role of design. The fast-slow paradox reveals the attempt to reconcile market and sustainability, with slow fashion being appropriate as a differential, maintaining the logic of consumption.
Lopes et al. (2025), in a research in Pernambuco ('The fast fashion model and the perception of sustainability of Generation Z consumers'), analysed the perception of sustainability in fast fashion consumption between generations, focussing on Generation Z. SDGs met: SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 8. The waste identified are those generated by the fast fashion model, which contribute to pollution and waste of resources.
5 FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The analysis of recent scientific production on textile waste confirms the expansion and diversification of approaches, ranging from technical issues of disposal and reuse to consumption dynamics, production patterns and socio-environmental inequalities.
The circular economy emerges as the central axis of mitigation strategies, with examples ranging from the production of biotextiles to water reuse and the integration of Cleaner Production and Lean Production. However, technical, economic and cultural barriers, coupled with the absence of specific public policies and the fragility of reverse logistics, limit large-scale adoption.
In consumption, Generation Z presents greater environmental awareness, although still inserted in the context of fast fashion, and there are risks of greenwashing in the use of sustainable discourse. Sustainable design initiatives and the replacement of synthetic fibres by natural ones show potential, but face challenges of competitiveness and acceptance.
The absence of specific public policies, the fragility of reverse logistics and the low adherence to sustainable practices are structural obstacles. Overcrowding of landfills, microplastics, and the exploitation of precarious labour demands systemic responses.
It is concluded that the adoption of innovative practices - biomaterials, traceability technologies, strengthening local productive arrangements, conscious consumption and industry 4.0 - is a strategic opportunity for the transition towards an ethical, regenerative and sustainable development-aligned fashion, requiring greater integration between innovation, public policies and environmental education.
It is recommended future research on technical / economic feasibility, social impacts of the transition, effectiveness of public policies and the role of environmental education.
For this, it is suggested the use of sustainable materials (organic cotton, recycled / biodegradable fabrics, certifications such as GOTS and OEKO-TEX), waste reduction (digital modelling, intelligent cutting, production on demand) and technologies of Industry 4.0 (mirror / virtual fitting room, applications for waste management, efficient use of resources, renewable energy sources). The valorisation of social responsibility, with decent working conditions and inclusion, is also fundamental.
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Lima, A. C. D.; Cunha, D. A.; Albuquerque, R. C.; Costa, R. N. A.; Silva, H. J. Alterações sensoriais em respiradores orais: revisão sistemática baseada no método Prisma. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, v. 37, n. 1, 2019. Disponível em:<https://doi.org/10.1590/1984- 0462/;2019;37;1;00012>. Acesso em 22 mai. 2021
Lobo, R. N.; Limeira, E. T. N. P.; Marques, R.N. História e Sociologia da Moda - Evolução e Fenômenos Culturais. Rio de Janeiro: Érica, 2014. E-book. pág.1. ISBN 9788536520629. Disponível em: https://integrada.minhabiblioteca.com.br/reader/books/9788536520629/. Acesso em: 22 abr. 2025.
Lobo, R. N.; Limeira, E. T. N. P.; Marques, R.N. Fundamentos da Tecnologia Têxtil - Da Concepção da Fibra ao Processo de Estamparia. Rio de Janeiro: Érica, 2014. E-book. pág.10. ISBN 9788536520612. Disponível em: https://integrada.minhabiblioteca.com.br/reader/books/9788536520612/. Acesso em: 02 mai. 2025.
Lopes, Arilson Ruan Neto; Sobral, Eryka Fernanda Miranda; Melo, Fagner José Coutinho de; Amorim, Bartira Pereira; Guimarães Junior, Djalma Silva; Cruz, Tatyane Veras de Queiroz Ferreira da. O modelo fast fashion e a percepção de sustentabilidade dos consumidores da Geração Z. GeSeC - Gestão, Sociedade e Cultura, v. 16, n. 1, 2025. ISSN 2178-9010. DOI: http://doi.org/10.7769/gesec.v16i1.4496.
Moraes, Emanuel. Mito industrial e ideologias patronais: o caso do coronel Othon da Fábrica da Macaxeira. v. 37 n. 2 (2019): Jul-Dez. Publicado 02 jan 2020. Dossiê: Escravidão e comércio de escravos através da história. p. 160-187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22264/clio.issn2525-5649.2019.37.2.25
Nascimento, A.S.; Gonçalves, A.T.P. Proposta de implementação das práticas de logística reversa de pós-consumo no tratamento de resíduos sólidos: um estudo multicaso no setor têxtil e de confecção de Santa Cruz do Capibaribe. Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering, v.9, n.4, p.55-75. DOI: http://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v9i4.41909
Pereira, Marimá Tamires Silva; Macêdo, Jacqueline da Silva; Freitas, Maria Eduarda Santos de; Leite, Lívia Maria Carvalho; Souza, Maria Rita Cardoso de; Vasconcelos, Camila Brito de; Rodrigues, Lais Helena Gouveia; Lima, Clécio José de Lacerda; COSTA, Andréa Fernanda de Santana. Sustentabilidade está na moda: criação de artefatos para o lar a partir de resíduos têxteis. Revista Caderno Pedagógico, v. 21, n. 6, p. 1-17, 2024. DOI: 10.54033/cadpedv21n6-149.
Porto, Cássia Gisele Dias; Silva, Gilson Lima da; Arruda Neto, Jose Florio de; SILVA, Maria Clara Rocha dos Santos. Processos oxidativos avançados para o tratamento de efluentes têxteis: estudo de caso de um Arranjo Produtivo Local pernambucano. Research, Society and Development, v. 13, n. 1, e11013144840, 2024. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v13i1.44840. ISSN 2525-3409.
Santos, L.C.; Oliveira, F.V. Práticas sustentáveis nos processos produtivos da indústria de moda Lalua Comércio de Moda, Salvador Bahia em 2023. Revista Scientia, Salvador, v.9, n.2, p. 137-164, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11238056
Silva, Bruno Lopes; Xavier, Maria Gilca Pinto. Inovação e tecnologia em lavanderias de jeans do polo têxtil do Agreste Pernambucano e a implementação das atividades de reúso de água. Brazilian Journal of Development, v. 6, n. 6, p. 41458-41476, 2020. DOI: 10.34117/bjdv6n6-620. Recebido em: 08 maio 2020. Aceito em: 28 jun. 2020.
Silva, M. de F. da; Melo, J. F. H. de. Produção enxuta e produção mais limpa na confecção: um caminho contínuo em busca da sustentabilidade (Santa Cruz do Capibaribe-PE). Revista Competência. v.14 - n.2 - dez.2021. ISSN 2177-4986 versão eletrônica.
Soares, Handrei Matheus de Souza. Baima, Suede Fernanda Santos. Pereira, Liz Carmem Silva. Vieira, Kadja Janaina Pereira. Os Impactos Ambientais Causados em Decorrência de Tecidos Sintéticos, da Fabricação ao Uso e Manutenção: Proposta de Linha de Roupas à Base de Fibras Naturais na Cidade de Itaituba-Pará Revista Interdisciplinar Científica Aplicada, Joinville/SC, V.19, n 1, p.33-65. TRI I 2025. ISSN 1980-7031.
Sousa, J.P.; Oliveira, V.; Maracajá, K.F.B. A sustentabilidade no espaço empresarial: reflexões sobre a responsabilidade sócio empresarial no setor da indústria têxtil da cidade de Toritama/PE. Editora e-publicar Administração em Diálogo, v.3, p.144-156. DOI 10.47402/ed.ep.c240631110208
ONU. Sobre o nosso trabalho para alcançar os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável no Brasil. Disponível em Site: https://brasil.un.org/pt-br/sdgs. Acesso em 23 de julho de 2025.
