The textile and garment industry is a vital economic sector in the southern Mediterranean, renowned for its high-quality production and strategic role in connecting the region to European and global markets.
Through the EU-funded SwitchMed initiative, UNIDO played a pivotal role in transforming the textile and garment industries in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia by promoting circular economy principles. In 2019, UNIDO developed an initiative that adopted a dual approach, focusing on advancing safer chemical management and piloting circular business models to address these industries' environmental challenges.
Improved chemical management was a cornerstone of the initiative, as eliminating hazardous substances was critical to enhancing the quality and recyclability of materials. In partnership with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, UNIDO supported 50 companies in adopting safer chemical practices.
UNIDO also demonstrated innovative circular business models, targeting the valorization of pre-consumer textile waste. Pilot projects across the region showcased opportunities to recycle high-quality waste materials, establish localized recycling value chains, and identify investments in modern technologies that can further the development of local value chains for textile waste valorization.
UNIDO collaborated with over 26 value chain actors and three global fashion brands to launch eight pilot projects across the three countries, demonstrating how circular textile business models can create new job opportunities and reduce the industry's carbon footprint. These efforts not only reduced the industry’s environmental footprint but also created new business opportunities, highlighting the potential of circularity to drive both sustainability and economic growth in the region.
Discover the cases for circular business models to valorize pre-consumer textile waste
https://www.greenindustryplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-closed-loop-recycling-second-quality-jeans-tunisia
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-valorizing-higher-and-lower-quality-textile-waste-specialized
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-advancing-local-manufacturing-yarns-and-fabrics-recycled
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-textile-fiber-recycling-industrial-symbiosis-morocco
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-building-ecosystem-recycling-pre-consumer-textile-waste-egypt
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-investing-advanced-recycling-technologies-fiber-fiber
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-creating-network-valorization-and-market-opportunities
https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/case-studies/switchmed-business-case-circular-fashion-design-morocco