Türkiye has launched a major new circular fashion initiative aimed at transforming its textile and garment industry by building scalable systems to reduce and recycle post-industrial waste, reinforcing its position as a global apparel manufacturing hub.
Türkiye, announced last week during Sustainability Talks Istanbul, is being spearheaded by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) in collaboration with Turkish textile consultancy Rematters, and backed by international partners Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion and the Circle Economy Foundation, with support from the H&M Foundation.
The programme, due to begin in early 2026, is designed to help factories and brands establish textile waste management systems, improve traceability of waste streams and connect manufacturers with recyclers to recover materials for reuse in production. It also aims to support suppliers in adapting to evolving environmental and regulatory standards, particularly those linked to European Union circular economy directives.
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Türkiye, one of the world’s leading apparel exporters due to its vertically integrated supply chain and proximity to key markets, is seen by industry leaders as well-placed to scale textile-to-textile recycling systems that can reduce reliance on virgin materials and landfill disposal.
Global Fashion Agenda said the initiative builds on similar programmes in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia, which have collectively digitally traced more than 21,000 tonnes of textile waste and linked over 100 factories with recycling partners and brands.
Federica Marchionni, CEO of the Copenhagen-based GFA, said Türkiye represents a “critical opportunity to accelerate circularity at scale” and could serve as a model for textile recycling globally by fostering innovation and local collaboration across the industry.
The partnership will undertake on-site waste assessments, training programmes, recycler matchmaking sessions and policy roundtables throughout 2026, with the goal of integrating circular practices into mainstream manufacturing operations. Brands sourcing from Türkiye are being invited to participate in the initiative.
Industry analysts say efforts like the Circular Fashion Partnership could help garment producing countries tap into new economic value from waste streams, while meeting growing global demands for sustainability and regulatory compliance — trends that are reshaping the fashion supply chain worldwide.
