The terms sustainable development and business sustainability are increasingly popular in the modern world, and the reason lies in the intensive development that was not accompanied by concern for the protection of the environment or natural resources. The very idea of sustainable development is based on an ambitious idea according to which development must not endanger the future of generations to come, by consuming non-renewable energy sources, as well as by long-term devastation and pollution of the environment.
When it comes to business sustainability in the textile industry, globally, it is an industry that is still considered one of the biggest polluters of the environment, and textile itself is considered a growing ecological threat. By introducing the circular economy in the textile industry, it is sought to minimize waste and maximize the use of resources by designing products that can be reused. This approach includes the use of sustainable materials and technologies that reduce the negative impact on the environment, and many examples from the world and the region show how sustainability can be achieved through innovative practices.
Big global brands, such as Nike and Addidas, have recognized the importance of such practices, and are increasingly using soles made from recycled materials for the production of sports shoes. Nike uses a technique known as Nike Grind, where they recycle old sports shoes and turn them into new products, including soles for new sneakers. On the other hand, Adidas, through the initiative Adidas Parley collaborates with the organization Parley for the Oceans to use recycled plastic from the oceans to make soles.
However, even less known brands like Peralta Clothing istand out for their ideas about the slow fashion movement, as well as their focus on upcycling and reuse of materials, often using textile scraps from the automotive industry and other sources to create their products. Peralta Clothing also advocates for environmental awareness, minimizing the use of packaging and striving to reduce waste production, thus setting an example for major global brands to integrate environmental responsibility into their products.
In this part of Europe, the Slovenian textile industry is a significant leader in the application of sustainable practives, and one example of such an approach is KNOF, a circular economy pioneer in Slovenia. Founded with the mission of promoting a sustainable lifestyle, KNOF plays a key role in the transformation of the local textile industry towards sustainability and not only promotes sustainable fashion through its boutiques, but also actively reduces textile waste and creates new green jobs. The latest project of KNOF is the establishment of the first circular laboratory in Slovenia. This laboratory serves as a training ground for the development of circular business models and the design of products and services that minimize waste. The laboratory has the personnel, knowledge, technology and infrastructure necessary for the production of various prototypes from waste materials such as textiles, wood and plastic. This concept promotes the global goals of sustainable development, whereby the Slovenian textile industry sets an example in sustainable practices at the global level.
Another example from the region that stands out when it comes to the sustainability of the textile industry is the Fashion Weekend Skopje organized by the Fashion week corporation (Modna Nedela Korporacija). It is an event dedicated to fashion that brings together designers, fashion brands, media, buyers and fashion lovers from the country and the region, and which represents a platform for the promotion, integration and development of Macedonian fashion culture. The event includes tailored workshops for emerging designers, thought-provoking discussions showcasing and supporting successful local green businesses and exhibitions highlighting the outcomes of various sustainability projects. In addition to the above, as part of the event, round tables are also organized on various topics within the textile industry, and the topic "Product design for the environment" was particularly important for the issue of the circular economy, which was moderated by the famous Macedonian designer Irina Tosheva, whose fashion collections go beyond aesthetics and unite artists, craftsmen and various local industries. Tosheva points out that sustainability initiatives have been a prominent feature at every edition of Fashion Weekend Skopje and that Fashion Weekend Skopje acts as an priceless platform that not only recognizes the enormous importance of sustainability, but also uses its resources to spread knowledge and raise public awareness.
In addition to this example, in Macedonia, due to the abundance of rice husks and straw in the Kočani region, which were usually considered waste and burned in the fields, the project "Agricultural waste as raw textiles and project material in the municipality of Kočani" was created. The untapped potential of this agricultural by-product was the inspiration for Macedonian designers to demonstrate its viability as a valuable raw material for production and design. The textile fabrics used in the project were scrap materials and the participants dyed them with straw, onion and turmeric while applying the Shibori technique, one of the oldest Japanese dyeing techniques. These initiatives include tailored workshops for emerging designers, thought-provoking discussions showcasing and supporting successful local green businesses and exhibitions highlighting the outcomes of various sustainability projects.
Given that the textile industry is closely related to many other industries, we will single out the example of the company Euromiteks from Niš, Serbia, which deals with the recycling of industrial textiles. Euromiteks Niš primarily produces textiles for the household. In response to the pressing issue of textile waste, they launched a textile recycling effort a few years ago. The inclusion of various forms of textile waste as primary materials for most products is an integral part of their business. In addition, they are currently introducing innovative products and are engaged in the production of construction materials from recycled textiles, plastics and rubber. Using these materials, they create building blocks, which, in addition to the above, contain water, sand and additives. These blocks are expected to have better lifespan, insulating properties, greater durability and lower cost than currently available building blocks. In the future, they aim to establish a textile recycling center that would serve as a center for the collection and processing of all textile waste from the region.
When it comes to the circular economy in the textile industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, examples of good practice include various initiatives aimed at recycling and waste reduction. Thus, the humanitarian organization ADRA with its project "Bread from Textile" " motivates citizens to donate old clothes and shoes and thus protect the environment, and in this way also help the work of a public kitchen for the homeless.
Also, the sports equipment store "Sport Vision" implemented the Eco Vision project and in the past two years carried out a series of activities such as reforestation, cleaning of coastal areas and paper recycling. However, by setting up ECO VISION boxes for collecting old clothes and shoes in major cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for their reuse or recycling, they show how seriously they take the impact that textile waste can have on the environment, as well as their dedication and continuity in contributing to the preservation of the planet. Additionally, as part of the project "Think about nature!" implemented by the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society and financially supported by Sweden, an initiative was launched to set up containers for the collection of textiles in Široki Brijeg. Thus, with the support of the Široki Brijeg City Administration, as well as the Public Utility Company (PUC) "Čistoća" Široki Brijeg, textile recycling boxes were installed, promoting environmental protection and sustainable practices.
Comparison and potential for improvement
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is still developing its capacities in the context of the circular economy in the textile industry, there is considerable potential for progress. By comparison with more advanced practices from the region and global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Patagonia, H&M etc., it is evident that BiH can significantly improve its practices through strengthening cooperation between industry, government and educational institutions. Awareness raising and consumer education are key to the adoption of sustainable initiatives.
Efforts made to implement circular economic models not only contribute to the reduction of waste and emissions, but also promote the global objectives of sustainable development and offer concrete benefits for the environment and society.
