The European Union (EU) has identified textiles as one of the seven key product valuechains that require increased circularity. This report aims to examine potential circularbusiness models and changes to the design of products and services in the workwearindustry from a holistic perspective, including environmental, economic, legal, and providerand customer perspectives. The focus has been on workwear for small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) in the construction and building sectors. In this study, the potential toimplement various design and business model interventions, which could affect resourceconsumption and thus contribute to a more circular economy, were explored.
A key finding is that all the explored interventions, based on LCA findings, are likely toreduce environmental impacts in all examined impact categories compared to a linearmodel. Moreover, no significant legal barriers were identified, although some businessmodels require careful contract drafting. However, several interventions do not lead to“good business” either due to a lack of acceptance by the users or because they are noteconomically viable.
Designing and offering workwear with a long lifespan is a business model that manycompanies are successfully implementing. Most claim that their products are long-lastingwithout a standardized way to measure.
One examined design change that has gained market acceptance and is offered by theproject partner company CIRK-L is the detachable tool pockets, which allow for morefrequent and straightforward washing and thus longer lifespan for workwear.
However, laundry services and all-in-one contracts that also enable more efficient andfrequent washing, are not as well accepted. They prove to be logistically challenging toimplement, mainly because workers frequently change workplaces. They were alsoconsidered too expensive for this customer segment, despite having been successfullyapplied to other segments within the workwear industry. One reason is that the usercurrently bears the costs of transport to the washing facility and washing, while thesecontracts would shift this cost to the employer. Several positive value aspects were foundwith these examined business models, but not enough to outweigh the costs and practicalchallenges.
Repair services based on spare parts that can be replaced by the user, such as the detachablelower legs on work trousers offered by the partner company CIRK-L, are expected to beeconomically viable. As workwear is relatively cheap, repairs involving tailors are onlymarginally more affordable than buying new because labour and shipping costs arerelatively high. This means that the customer prefers to buy new. However, several measures can be taken to improve the situation by addressing behavioural issues related torepairs, making the repair supply chains more efficient. There is also a need to improvesupport systems that enable repairs, e.g., IT and distribution solutions. Some initial pilotprojects and small ventures related to upcycling or repurposing have also been identified,but these require further research.
Finally, consumption patterns for workwear have also been identified, and some signs ofoverconsumption should be studied more closely.