Trump's Tariffs, Global Circularity Playbook, and LFW's Ban on Exotic Skins: This Week in Sustainable Fashion

Here's what happened this Week/End in sustainable fashion news.

Nov 30, 2024

As Thanksgiving week wraps up here in the States, we’re deeply thankful for our community of sustainability leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers who— across our various platforms—trust us as their go-to resource for bold conversations and fresh perspectives on the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities.

With Week/End, we’re proud to be your source for what’s happening now in sustainable fashion—keeping you informed and ready to lead the conversation.

From potential trade policy updates to new reports and collaborations in circularity and recycling, here’s what shaped the industry this week.

Not on the list? Subscribe now to get quick-hit news recaps like this delivered to your inbox every Saturday.

This week in sustainable fashion news!

Trump plans tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China
Global Fashion Agenda launches playbook to tackle manufacturing waste
Circle Economy reveals textiles are only 0.3% circular
U.S. delegation addresses labor rights and trade in Bangladesh
Reju and NFT partner to expand textile recycling in France
TextileGenesis boosts traceability for Cotton Made in Africa
Bluesign partners with LIM Group for sustainable denim production
10 new jobs in sustainable fashion added to the SFF Job Board
… and more!

Let’s dive in!

Trump's Updated Tariff Plans: Implications for Fashion and Sustainability

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10% increase on tariffs for Chinese goods, citing concerns about immigration and drug trafficking. These measures build on his first-term trade policies, including Section 301 duties and the renegotiation of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). His nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, is expected to lead this agenda.

What this means for fashion: The fashion industry, heavily reliant on imports from these regions, faces rising production costs and supply chain disruptions under the USMCA. Retaliatory tariffs may further restrict access to key export markets. While some domestic manufacturing could benefit, large-scale shifts are unlikely due to the U.S.'s limited production capacity and skilled labor. Smaller brands, in particular, may struggle to navigate these changes.

What this means for sustainability: Tariffs might encourage local production and shorter supply chains, aligning with sustainability goals, but the lack of domestic infrastructure and reliance on global suppliers for materials limit scalability. Rising costs could also make sustainable options less accessible for consumers, undermining progress toward sustainability goals without significant systemic investment.

As outlined in the Business of Fashion’s State of Fashion 2025 report, only 18% of executives view sustainability as a top growth risk, highlighting its deprioritization amid rising costs and supply chain resilience concerns. While some brands may amplify sustainability efforts to differentiate themselves, most are likely to prioritize cost-cutting and short-term survival in an increasingly uncertain market.

Take 2 seconds to vote in our quick poll!

If you choose 'Other,' bonus points for sharing your answer in the comments!

Global Fashion Agenda Shifts Focus Upstream with New Circularity Playbook Targeting Manufacturing Waste

The Upstream Circularity Playbook, developed by Global Fashion Agenda with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the H&M Foundation, focuses on addressing post-industrial textile waste in garment manufacturing regions. By targeting waste generated during processes like milling, spinning, and garment production, it highlights an often-overlooked stage in circularity efforts that can reduce reliance on virgin resources, enhance recycling infrastructure, and generate economic opportunities in manufacturing hubs.

The report outlines strategies like factory-level waste segregation, digital traceability, optimized collection and sorting systems, and aligning waste streams with suitable recycling technologies. Case studies from manufacturing hubs such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam provide replicable models to globally scale circular practices.

→ Read the report

New Report Reveals Textile Industry is Only 0.3% Circular

The Circularity Gap Report by Circle Economy, supported by the H&M Foundation, reveals that the global textile industry is only 0.3% circular. Of the 3.25 billion tonnes of materials consumed annually, 99% are virgin resources, and nearly two-thirds of textile waste is landfilled or incinerated. Overproduction and unsold low-quality garments are identified as major contributors to waste.

The report outlines six strategies to triple circularity and cut the industry’s environmental impact by half. These include reducing production, improving recycling technologies, prioritizing durable garments, and addressing the working conditions of the industry's 140 million workers. The report emphasizes the urgent need for collective industry action to transition from a linear to a circular model.

→ Read the report

Take 2 seconds to vote in our quick poll!

💬 What’s your take on this week’s news? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and we might feature your response in next week’s newsletter!

LABOR RIGHTS & TRADE RELATIONS

► A U.S. delegation, including government officials and brand representatives from Gap, PVH Corp., and VF Corp., visited Bangladesh to discuss labor rights, trade relations, and challenges during the country’s political transition. Meetings with interim leader Muhammad Yunus and the BGMEA focused on fostering independent trade unions and addressing unrest in the garment sector, including unpaid wages at Beximco Industrial Park. The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to supporting worker welfare and sustainable trade practices in Bangladesh, the third-largest garment supplier to the U.S. → Read more

CIRCULARITY

► Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles (NFT) are partnering to recycle textile waste in France, with NFT supplying materials for Reju's Frankfurt-based regeneration hub. The collaboration focuses on expanding waste collection and recycling infrastructure, supporting efforts to meet the EU’s 2025 textile waste regulations, with both companies emphasizing traceability and circularity in their processes. → Read the press release

This collaboration builds on Reju’s partnership with Goodwill and WM, where efforts are underway to increase textile collection and recycling infrastructure in North America.

► Saitex published its 2023 Impact Report, highlighting advancements in circular manufacturing, water and energy efficiency, and inclusive hiring practices. Key achievements include 25% of fabrics primed for Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold products and a 15% reduction in water usage per garment. → Learn more

SOURCING

► TextileGenesis is collaborating with the Aid by Trade Foundation to improve traceability for Cotton Made in Africa (CmiA) using its Fibercoins technology. This partnership aims to improve supply chain transparency, ensuring compliance and ethical sourcing from cotton to finished products. → Learn more

MANUFACTURING

► Bluesign has partnered with LIM Group, its first laundry system partner in Italy, to integrate its chemical management standards into LIM’s denim washing and dyeing processes. The collaboration aims to enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and ensure compliance with EU sustainability regulations. → Read the press release

INSIGHTS

► London Fashion Week announced a ban on wild animal skins, extending its restriction on fur introduced last year. Brands participating in the event must commit to excluding exotic leathers like crocodile and snakeskin from their collections. → Read more

💬 What’s your take on this week’s news? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and we might feature your response in next week’s newsletter!

Week/End: Sustainable Fashion News

Discussion about this post