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.
COP30 is heading to the Amazon this November — and it’s shaping up to be one of the most important climate summits yet. From ecosystem protection to global sustainability goals, the pressure for real action is rising. And businesses are right at the center of the transformation. Discover why circularity matters more now than ever. What do you hope COP30 will deliver?
High return rates are a major challenge for fashion and retail, impacting both profit and sustainability. In our recent webinar, “Fixing Your Return Problem: Profit Meets Sustainability”, we explored how circular strategies can turn returns into opportunities, and how our AI-powered Circularity Platform helps brands select the right projects, build a roadmap, and quantify impact
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Circular Innovations supported LABFRESH in independently testing the durability of their classic shirts, turning 50 wash cycles of lab data into measurable, credible claims. The results? LABFRESH outperformed a top competitor across all key metrics, proving that durable clothes are better for people and the planet. Discover how collaboration, transparency, and circularity are shaping the future of fashion.
