Episode 31: Fashion resale, circular economy standards and U-turns on plastic packaging targets

Global material consumption reached a record 106 billion tons in 2021, yet less than 7% of these materials are recycled or reused, highlighting the limitations of current waste management. Consumer skepticism remains a primary barrier, as half of the public distrusts the quality and reliability of circular products. Meanwhile, consumer goods companies struggle to meet plastic packaging targets; only 27% of firms are on track for 2025 goals, hindered by high costs and insufficient collection infrastructure. In the fashion sector, overproduction drives a massive waste problem, with one bin lorry of textiles dumped every minute. Emerging circular business models, such as Reskinned’s resale and repurposing services, offer a path forward by extending product lifecycles and fostering brand loyalty, though significant investment in recycling technology and policy-driven standardization is required to achieve systemic change.