Integrating circular economy principles into fashion design : strategies, challenges and opportunities in the Sri Lankan apparel industry

Abstract

This study focuses on the strategic integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles into design and development stages of the export-oriented Fashion and Apparel manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka. This research focuses on approaches to sustainable design, including modularity, End-Of-Life management, design for disassembly, and the use of Biodegradable and recycled materials. It highlights the transition of manufacturing systems from linear to circular, as well as the impact of marketing strategies and supply chain alignments or constraints on these circular initiatives. This study consists of 11 cases representing different apparel companies (denoted as cases A to K), which have been filtered to represent key actors in Sri Lanka’s export apparel industry who are following the sustainable design approaches. The study employed a qualitative research design. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted through 42 interviews with industry experts, including designers, developers, sourcing merchants, and officers in charge of sustainability. Following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework, deductive thematic analysis was applied to detect cross-case patterns and linkages through themes in designing, supply Chain, and marketing Dimensions, referring to the sustainable design context. Especially when considering export apparel manufacturing, this research will focus on the practical implementation of circular economy principles in developing nations such as Sri Lanka. Implementation of circular design strategies in apparel products requires stakeholder collaborations, consumer participation, new technology and the readiness of infrastructure. Furthermore, the study explores ways to facilitate sustainable design methods through marketing strategies and transparent sourcing practices. These insights aim to assist industry stakeholders and policymakers in establishing circular fashion systems in Sri Lanka and other relevant contexts.