Keywords
circular business model
textile waste
post-consumer textile waste
How to Cite
Abstract
A critical need to transform huge amounts of post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) into valuable circular resources prompted the authors to examine the strategies which may be adopted to enhance the practice of circular textile economy (CTE). This qualitative exploratory study included semi-structured interviews with a representative of the company and secondary data content analysis. By design, the authors operationalised CTE in the form of circular business models (CBM). The research results demonstrate CBMs canvas for slowing-loops reuse (i.e. resale, re-purposing), which may be communicated to other stakeholders in the sector and may be used as a visual tool in education. However, CTE strategies and CBMs are subject to change. The research results are exploratory and offer insights which may be further tested in other contexts. In general, the research may contribute to the theory of circular business models, with a particular relevance to post-consumer textiles (PCT) circularity.
References
Bentkowska, K., & Nowicka, K. (2024). Circular economy from companies and consumers perspectives: Toward value co-creation. Economics and Environment, 90(3), 788. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2024.90.3.788
Bocken, N. M. P., de Pauw, I., Bakker, C., & van der Grinten, B. (2016). Product design and business model strategies for a circular economy. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 33(5), 308–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2016.1172124
Bocken, N. M. P., Harsch, A., & Weissbrod, I. (2022). Circular business models for the fast-moving consumer goods industry: Desirability, feasibility, and viability. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 30, 799–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.01.012
Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2014). A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 65, 42–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.039
Boulding, K. (1966). The economy of the coming spaceship earth. In H. Daly (Ed.), Economics, ecology, ethics: Essays towards a steady-state economy. W. H. Freeman.
Castro-Lopez, A., Iglesias, V., & Santos-Vijande, M. L. (2023). Organizational capabilities and institutional pressures in the adoption of circular economy. Journal of Business Research, 161, 113823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113823
Chand, S., Chand, S., & Raula, B. (2023). Textile and apparel industries waste and its sustainable management approaches. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 25, 3132–3143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01761-1
Chirumalla, K., Kulkov, I., Parida, V., Dahlqvist, E., Johansson, G., & Stefan, I. (2024). Enabling battery circularity: Unlocking circular business model archetypes and collaboration forms in the electric vehicle battery ecosystem. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 199, 123044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123044
Ciechelska, A., Matel, A., Poskrobko, T., & Sidorczuk-Pietraszko, E. (2024). Circular economy rebound effect in the context of second-hand clothing consumption. Economics and Environment, 87(4), 635. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2023.87.4.635
CLVG (Centrum Logistyczne VIVE Group). (2025). Platforma sprzedaży. Największego na świecie producenta odzieży używanej [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/c/VIVEGroup (in Polish).
Coscieme, L., Manshoven, S., Gillabel, J., Grossi, F., & Mortensen, L. F. (2022). A framework of circular business models for fashion and textiles: The role of business-model, technical, and social innovation. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 18(1), 451–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2022.2083792
Das, A., Konietzko, J., Bocken, N., & van Dijk, M. (2023). The circular rebound tool: A tool to move companies towards more sustainable circular business models. Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances, 20, 200185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2023.200185
De Angelis, R., Morgan, R., & De Luca, L. M. (2023). Open strategy and dynamic capabilities: A framework for circular economy business models research. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(7), 4861–4873. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3397
Domańska-Sikorzak, A. (2024). Fast fashion od lat niszczy przyrodę i ludzkie zdrowie - co możemy zrobić? [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5XQ_oo5aJs (in Polish).
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24160888
European Commission. (2020). Circular economy action plan. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf
European Environment Agency. (2019). Textiles in Europe's circular economy (EEA Report No. 11/2019). https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/textiles-in-europes-circular-economy
European Environment Agency. (2021a). Progress towards preventing waste in Europe — the case of textile waste prevention. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/progressing-towards-waste-prevention-in
European Environment Agency. (2021b). Business models in a circular economy. European Topic Centre on Waste and Materials in a Green Economy. https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-wmge/products/etc-wmge-reports/business-models-in-a-circular-economy
European Environment Agency. (2023). Accelerating the circular economy in Europe: State and outlook 2024. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/accelerating-the-circular-economy
European Environment Agency. (2024a). Accelerating the circular economy in Europe: State and outlook 2024 (EEA Report). https://doi.org/10.2800/055236
European Environment Agency. (2024b). The destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe’s circular economy (EEA Report). https://doi.org/10.2800/109430
Farrukh, A., & Sajjad, A. (2024). Drivers for and barriers to circular economy transition in the textile industry: A developing economy perspective. Sustainable Development, 32(6), 7309–7329. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3088
Ferreira, M. (2022). Model biznesowy oparty na partnerstwach, czyli jak VIVE Textile Recycling buduje ekosystem rozwiązań dla zarządzania zrównoważonym rozwojem? I czy można już dzisiaj zarabiać na zrównoważonej franczyzie? https://www.money.pl/gospodarka/model-biznesowy-oparty-na-partnerstwach-czyli-jak-vive-textile-recycling-buduje-ekosystem-rozwiazan-dla-zarzadzania-zrownowazonym-rozwojem-i-czy-mozna-juz-dzisiaj-zarabiac-na-zrownowazonej-franczyzie-6831369510619808a.html (in Polish).
Geissdoerfer, M., Morioka, S. N., de Carvalho, M. M., & Evans, S. (2018). Business models and supply chains for the circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 190, 712–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.159
Gidaković, P., Žabkar, V., Zečević, M., Sagan, A., Wojnarowska, M., Sołtysik, M., Arslanagić-Kalajdžić, M., Dlačić, J., Askegaard, S., & Cleff, T. (2024). Trying to buy more sustainable products: Intentions of young consumers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140200
Gryn, M. (2021). Aplikacje i luksusowe butiki. Second-handy wchodzą na salony. https://www.forbes.pl/biznes/second-handy-sklepy-z-uzywana-odzieza-rozwijaja-sprzedaz-przez-internet/r228veh (in Polish).
Hellström, D., & Olsson, J. (2024). Let's go thrift shopping: Exploring circular business model innovation in fashion retail. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 198, 123000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123000
Hofmann, F., & von Knyphausen-Aufseß, D. (2022). Circular business model experimentation capabilities—A case study approach. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(5), 2469–2488. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3038
Horn, S., Mölsä, K. M., Sorvari, J., Tuovila, H., & Heikkilä, P. (2023). Environmental sustainability assessment of a polyester T-shirt – Comparison of circularity strategies. Science of the Total Environment, 884, 163821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163821
Hossain, M., Park, S., Suchek, N., & Pansera, M. (2024). Circular economy: A review of review articles. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(7), 7077–7099. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3867
Huynh, P. H. (2022). Enabling circular business models in the fashion industry: The role of digital innovation. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(3), 870–895. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2020-0683
IMARC Group. (2024). Europe textile recycling market report by product type. https://www.imarcgroup.com/textile-recycling-market
Jabbour, C. J. C., Seuring, S., de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., Jugend, D., Fiorini, P. D. C., Latan, H., & Izeppi, W. C. (2020). Stakeholders, innovative business models for the circular economy and sustainable performance of firms in an emerging economy facing institutional voids. Journal of Environmental Management, 264, 110416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110416
Kanzari, A., Rasmussen, J., Nehler, H., & Ingelsson, F. (2022). How financial performance is addressed in light of the transition to circular business models - A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 376, 134134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134134
Kirchherr, J., Yang, N.-H. N., Schulze-Spüntrup, F., Heerink, M. J., & Hartley, K. (2023). Conceptualizing the circular economy (revisited): An analysis of 221 definitions. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 194, 107001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107001
Lewandowski, M. (2016). Designing the business models for circular economy—Towards the conceptual framework. Sustainability, 8(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8010043
Martikkala, A., Mayanti, B., Helo, P., & Lobov, A. (2023). Smart textile waste collection system – Dynamic route optimization with IoT. Journal of Environmental Management, 335, 117548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117548
Massari, G. F., & Giannoccaro, I. (2023). Adopting GRI standards for the circular economy strategies disclosure: The case of Italy. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 14(4), 660–698. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-07-2021-0284
Mishra, S., Jain, S., & Malhotra, G. (2021). The anatomy of circular economy transition in the fashion industry. Social Responsibility Journal, 17(4), 524–542. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-06-2019-0216
Mitchell, P. (2015). Employment and the circular economy - Job creation through resource efficiency in London. WRAP for the London Sustainable Development Commission, the London Waste and Recycling Board and the Greater London Authority.
Mölsä, K., Horn, S., Dahlbo, H., & Rissanen, M. (2022). Linear, reuse or recycling? An environmental comparison of different life cycle options for cotton roller towels. Journal of Cleaner Production, 374, 133976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133976
Morell-Delgado, G., Peiró, L. T., & Toboso-Chavero, S. (2024). Revealing the management of municipal textile waste and citizen practices: The case of Catalonia. Science of the Total Environment, 907, 168093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168093
Mostaghel, R., & Chirumalla, K. (2021). Role of customers in circular business models. Journal of Business Research, 127, 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.053
Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H., Perry, P., Rissanen, T., & Gwilt, A. (2020). The environmental price of fast fashion. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1(4), 189–200. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0039-9
Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: A handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons.
Pascucci, F., Pizzichini, L., Sabatini, A., Temperini, V., & Mueller, J. (2024). Knowledge-based dynamic capabilities for managing paradoxical tensions in circular business model innovation: An empirical exploration of an incumbent firm. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28(11), 255–282. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-01-2024-0108
Patti, A., Cicala, G., & Acierno, D. (2021). Eco-sustainability of the textile production: Waste recovery and current recycling in the composites world. Polymers, 13(1), 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010134
Pearce, D. W., & Turner, R. K. (1990). Economics of natural resources and the environment. Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Prosman, E. J., Abdelkafi, N., & León-Bravo, V. (2024). The circular business models of third-party loop operators: An activity-based view on performing activities internally or externally. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 30, 100955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2024.100955
Reike, D., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or refurbished as CE 3.0? – Exploring controversies in the conceptualization of the circular economy through a focus on history and resource value retention options. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 135, 246–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
Reim, W., Sjödin, D., & Parida, V. (2021). Circular business model implementation: A capability development case study from the manufacturing industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(6), 2745–2757. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2891
Rizos, V., Tuokko, K., & Behrens, A. (2017). The circular economy: A review of definitions, processes and impacts (Research Report No. 8). Centre for European Policy Studies.
Roci, M., & Rashid, A. (2023). Economic and environmental impact of circular business models: A case study of white goods-as-a-service using multi-method simulation modelling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 407, 137147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137147
Saccani, N., Bressanelli, G., & Visintin, F. (2023). Circular supply chain orchestration to overcome circular economy challenges: An empirical investigation in the textile and fashion industries. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 35, 469–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.11.020
Salum, F. A., Coleta, K. G., Rodrigues, D. P., & Lopes, H. E. G. (2019). The business models’ value dimensions: An analytical tool. Revista Ibero-Americana de Estratégia, 18(3), 438–459. https://doi.org/10.5585/ijsm.v18i3.2777
Sauvé, S., Bernard, S., & Sloan, P. (2016). Environmental sciences, sustainable development and circular economy: Alternative concepts for trans-disciplinary research. Environmental Development, 17, 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.09.002
Schandl, H., Boxall, N. J., MacMillan, C., Porter, N., Terhorst, A., Kong, T., Walton, A., Skidmore, M., Muhlhausler, B., Hodgkinson, J., & Ambrose, M. (2024). Mission-oriented research and theory of change: Driving Australia’s transition to a circular economy. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 5, 837-850. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-024-00460-9
Susur, E., & Engwall, M. (2023). A transitions framework for circular business models. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 27(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13363
Szpilko, D., & Ejdys, J. (2022). European Green Deal - research directions. A systematic literature review. Economics and Environment, 81(2), 8–38. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2022.81.2.455
Sztorc, M., & Savenkovs, K. (2025). Implementation of circular economy principles in the use of environmental technologies and climate change mitigation in European Union countries. Economics and Environment, 93(2), 1004. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2025.93.2.1004
Teixeira, T. G. B., de Medeiros, J. F., Kolling, C., Ribeiro, J. L. D., & Morea, D. (2023). Redesign in the textile industry: Proposal of a methodology for the insertion of circular thinking in product development processes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 397, 136588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136588
Vegter, D., van Hillegersberg, J., & Olthaar, M. (2020). Supply chains in circular business models: Processes and performance objectives. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 162, 105046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105046
VIVE Group. (2024a). Innowacje nie rodzą się ot tak [Facebook post]. https://www.facebook.com/VIVETextileRecycling/posts/gdyby-nie-cel-do-którego-dążymy-całkowite-zamknięcie-obiegu-nie-mielibyśmy-aż-ta/1410327390142562/ (in Polish).
VIVE Group. (2024b, February). Polityka zarządzania jakością i środowiskiem. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/firma-a-srodowisko/ (in Polish).
VIVE Group. (2024c, October). Raport. Branża tekstylna 2024: konsumenci, innowacje, legislacje (Wydanie 1). https://us-wbe-img2.gr-cdn.com/user/809cb938-aea8-4105-a62e-48e440261524/b285c9af-4273-4a2f-a934-a32ab4384ed0.pdf (in Polish).
VIVE Logistics Services. (2025). Rozwiązania multiklienckie dla producentów, sieci handlowych, importerów/exporterów. Usługi dodatkowe. Usługi call center. https://vivelogistics.pl/rozwiazania-multiklienckie/ (in Polish).
VIVE Profit. (2023). Franczyza VIVE Profit. Brandbook 2023 VIVE Profit. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/franczyza-vive-profit/ (in Polish).
VIVE Profit. (2025, February 8). Obsługa klientów. Sklep on-line. https://viveprofit.pl/ (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2018). VIVE Textile Recycling - Technologia głosowego sterowania procesem sortowania [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9kMeuNFbK4 (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2021a). O firmie. Proces produkcji i eksport. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/o-firmie/ (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2021b). Proces produkcji. Linia VTR-Y. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/proces-produkcji/ (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2021c). O firmie. Proces produkcji. Linia VTR-Y. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/proces-produkcji/ (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2022, November 7). Model biznesowy oparty na partnerstwach, czyli jak VIVE Textile Recycling buduje ekosystem rozwiązań dla zarządzania zrównoważonym rozwojem? https://www.money.pl/gospodarka/model-biznesowy-oparty-na-partnerstwach-czyli-jak-vive-textile-recycling-buduje-ekosystem-rozwiazan-dla-zarzadzania-zrownowazonym-rozwojem-i-czy-mozna-juz-dzisiaj-zarabiac-na-zrownowazonej-franczyzie-6831369510619808a.html (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2024, December 10). VIVE TEXTILE RECYCLING kreatorem rozwiązań XXI wieku. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/ (in Polish).
VIVE Textile Recycling. (2025). Katalog produktów. Zasady sprzedaży. https://www.vivetextilerecycling.pl/oferta/katalog/produkty/mix-domowy-2/page/2/ (in Polish).
Walaszczyk, L., & Dingli, S. (2025). Business models in a sustainable enterprise: Examples from selected European countries. Economics and Environment, 93(2), 942. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2025.93.2.942
Wójcik-Karpacz, A., Karpacz, J., Brzeziński, P., Pietruszka-Ortyl, A., & Ziębicki, B. (2023). Barriers and drivers for changes in circular business models in a textile recycling sector: Results of qualitative empirical research. Energies, 16(1), 490. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010490
Wojniak-Żyłowska, M. (2021). Second hand we franczyzie. https://franchising.pl/artykul/12209/second-hand-we-franczyzie/ (in Polish).
Wolski, P. (2025). Assessment of waste management in Poland. Economics and Environment, 93(2), 1030. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2025.93.2.1030
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Economics and Environment