The Netherlands has set an ambitious goal of full circularity by 2050 and halved resource consumption by 2030. Meeting this goal will require change spanning different sectors. The textile and clothing industry, which releases 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year, must be prioritised.

This report dives into three scenarios for a circular clothing industry in the Netherlands, analysing the employment impact of each. It explores how different strategies – ranging from a shift in consumption patterns and prioritisation of repair, to an increased focus on textile cycling – will impact the job market, and dives into the skills that will be needed to support a circular clothing industry.

The first scenario (reduce) prioritises the changing of consumption patterns that is service-based consumption models, which creates significant potential for an increase in enabling and indirect jobs such as washing, cleaning, software development and logistics. In the second scenario (reuse), there is an increase in local textile collection and local sorting due to a growing second-hand market and the success of other repair/maintenance/cleaning services. The final scenario (recycle) also fosters a substantial increase in local textile sorting. However, after sorting, the clothes get recycled using processing technologies. The report shows that the second scenario (reuse) will have the highest employment potential.

Finally, the report gives a couple of key recommendations, such as ensuring the employment potential of circular clothing in the Netherlands, ensuring proper working conditions and bridging the skills gap towards 2050.

Cities and regions with the same or similar gaps and barriers in the textiles value chain can draw inspiration from the recommendations to design local and regional Circular Systemic Solutions, which help address them.