Circular Approaches in Fashion Industries and Building Materials

The adoption of circular approaches has become increasingly critical in the fashion and construction industries to address sustainability challenges and promote resource efficiency. This chapter explores circularity in the fashion sector, highlighting circular design principles, biomimicry-inspired and intelligent materials, zero-waste pattern cutting, biodegradable materials, and textile-to-textile recycling. It further delves into the circularity of specific materials in textile fashion, including cellulose, polyester, polyurethane, polyolefins, polyamide, and polyacrylics. The circular models adopted in the fashion industries are examined, with a focus on remanufacturing and modular design. In the construction domain, circular approaches are applied to building material selection, with an analysis of materials like concrete, steel, wood, and other alternatives. The critical parameters impacting building materials, such as humidity, diffusion, and vaporization, are explored to optimize material performance and reduce environmental impact. The chapter also presents global initiatives driving sustainable practices in both fashion and construction industries. By embracing circularity, the fashion and construction sectors can play a pivotal role in promoting environmental stewardship and fostering a regenerative economy.