Improving Textile Circularity

Course description

Using the platform given by the New Cotton Project’s MOOC and the potential to create more awareness within the textile industry’s universe, this course was created as an amalgamation of knowledge and know-how.

The ‘Improving Textile Circularity’ course presents the experiences gathered in the first half of the New Cotton Project by the consortium members as well as its twin projects, Aalto researchers, and circular entrepreneurs, portraying the changes in textile waste management which could improve the supply chain and its sustainable prospects.

Composed of four main classes: Circular economy and the textile industry, Textile end-of-life, Circular Business models, and Consumer Engagement; the course proposes an academic overview of concepts and theories. Additionally, the 16 supplementary classes and additional reading material, provide means for further research into practical implications and experiences within Circular Economy.

Learning objectives

This course was developed as a knowledge window to the work being carried out at the Department of Design at Aalto University in the city of Espoo, Finland. 

‘Improving Textile Circularity’ was developed for industrial professionals with an interest in further circular techniques and approaches in order to transition into a functional Circular Economy. Differently from the interactive map course, here we present videos, presentations and ‘formal classes’ related to key concepts of the circular ecosystem.

It is divided into four main topics:

• Introductory module: Circular economy and the Textile Industry
• Practical experiences dealing with a garment’s end-of-life: Closing the Loop
• The current market practices and examples: Circular Business Models
• The human-interaction in the Textile Industry: Consumer Engagement
• And finally: Other Circular Approaches

Each one of these topics, as can be seen above, covers a sphere of the overall Circular Economy in the field of Textiles. Additionally, we have included supplementary classes where entrepreneurs and academics present their experiences and research surrounding the topic to provide further guidance to those looking into adopting circular practices.

Total number of hours:

• Main classes: 109m
• Supplementary classes: circa 216m (31.08.23)
• Reading: varies according to the interest

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to understand:

• What is ‘Circular Economy’;
• How the topic is perceived by the textile industry;
• The various experiences implementing circular practices within the industry;
• What happens to disposed textile products;
• Which are the Business Models available;
• Which tools are being used to measure circularity’s success;
• How you can embrace Circular Economy in order to change your business towards it.

Audience and course requirements

This course was developed for an open audience majorly composed of professionals, students, and fashion consumers who might have bought the collection or come across the New Cotton Project as well as any of its 12 partners.

There is no specific requirement for the course, however, due to the topic, it might be easier for professionals within the field to follow some of the more complex phases of the product’s development.

Additionally, differently from the other course, this one was developed following a more traditional format using classes, supplementary videos and reading materials, thus providing an academically formatted overview of how knowledge is being used to improve textile circularity.

Structure of the course

Based on a more standard format of online course, ‘Improving textile circularity’ is composed of three main classes and an increasing series of ‘supplementary classes’ composed by videos and publications which provide more perspectives to the concept of circularity within the textile industry.

If you feel you need help navigating this course, watch the following video. Otherwise, just go for it!