According to official sources, approximately 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated worldwide each year. In Europe, this amounts to 12.6 million tonnes, consisting of clothing, home textiles, and technical textiles. Only one percent of this volume is currently returned to the material cycle through so-called textile-to-textile recycling.
The overarching objective should therefore be the design of a circular system in which resources remain in use for as long as possible and retain the highest possible value. As a result, our focus extends beyond the question of how post-consumer textiles can be recycled to also include how textiles can be used for a longer period of time.
FOUR REASONS IN FAVOR OF A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
1. In a linear economy, resources are continuously consumed. Natural raw materials, however, are finite and limited.
2. The textile industry is facing justified criticism regarding the volumes of textile waste generated.
3. Textile production based on so-called virgin materials results in comparatively high CO₂ emissions.
4. The needs and expectations of our target groups are changing. They increasingly expect brands to demonstrate awareness of these challenges and to assume responsibility accordingly.
The graphic illustrates how decisions made during the design process can influence a garment’s ability to remain in the material cycle for as long as possible and at the highest possible value. Appropriate care and repair can further extend a product’s life cycle.
Material selection and processing methods are a key prerequisite for designing a circular value chain. Decisions made during the design and product development phases therefore already determine whether and how the service life of a product can be extended through one of the following R‑innovations:
By developing high-quality products and establishing appropriate infrastructure, we aim to create the conditions that allow our items to be used for a long time and passed on multiple times when used and cared for properly. If you are wondering how you can contribute to extending the service life of your product as much as possible, please refer to our care instructions here:
We regard the repair of our products as a preferred option for maintaining their use for as long as possible. If a product is damaged, it is repaired at our site in Köngen. Our internal repair service is an integral part of our service offering and contributes to extending the period of use of Gonso and Maier Sports garments.
We are developing an apparel concept that already considers material recovery at the product development stage (design2recycle – recycle2design, D2R‑R2D). The aim is to design our products in a way that makes them suitable for high-quality material recycling after use.
Maier Sports reaches the Final of the Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitspreis
