Circularity is often framed around materials, keeping products in use longer, reducing waste, and extending product life. While those components are essential, there’s a broader, deeper layer often overlooked: the people.
One of the industries we support in its circular transformation is fashion. A sector admired for creativity and innovation, fashion also serves as a stark reminder that people lie at the heart of every supply chain.This week marks twelve years since the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,100 garment workers and injured thousands more. It wasn’t a rare anomaly. It was a symptom of a systemic issue—one that prioritised speed and profit over safety and dignity. Since then, the Fashion Revolution movement has grown, urging brands and consumers to ask a simple question: "Who made my clothes?"
At Circular Innovations, we believe this moment calls for more than reflection. It demands transformation. True circularity isn't only about product loops or carbon savings. It’s about circular value—systems where benefits are fairly distributed. Where the workers who make our goods are seen, respected, and fairly compensated. Where slowing down production can speed up equity. We believe that when businesses build circular strategies, they should be rooted not just in efficiency, but in ethics. That means choosing partners who uphold workers’ rights, investing in supply chain transparency, and advocating for policy changes that make fair wages and safe working conditions the norm.
Rethinking value means asking different questions:
Who benefits from circularity?
Can we reimagine circular systems that are as fair as they are sustainable?
How can we use data not just to optimise profit, but to ensure dignity?
Circularity must evolve from being a technical fix to becoming a human principle. It must consider both the environmental and social impact of every decision. This week, and every week, we commit to circular systems that support both people and planet.
If you're looking to align your business with a new kind of impact—one that goes beyond compliance and toward genuine equity—start by engaging with platforms like Fashion Revolution.
Returns, resale, and repair are no longer just cost centres, they’re emerging growth drivers. Join Circular Innovations’ free live demos to see how your business can turn circularity into a profitable, scalable strategy.
Europe’s circular fashion opportunity could hit €31.3 billion by 2030. Circular Innovations helps businesses tap into that market with proven strategies, vetted partners, and data-driven insights.
Twelve years after the Rana Plaza tragedy, it’s time to remember that circularity must go beyond materials. At Circular Innovations, we advocate for circular value—systems that benefit both people and planet.
