Recap from the Textile Exchange Conference 2025

The conversation around sustainability is changing. The 2025 Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon marked a turning point — from inspiration to accountability. Across fashion, textiles, and now garment care, the focus is shifting to operational sustainability: what businesses do every day to support long-term environmental and financial resilience.

For dry cleaners, this global shift presents a powerful opportunity to play a visible, measurable role in the circular fashion economy.

What Is Circular Fashion?

Circular fashion challenges the outdated “take-make-waste” model by ensuring that clothing and textiles remain in use as long as possible. It’s a looped system where garments are designed, cared for, reused, repurposed, and recycled — reducing the industry’s reliance on new raw materials.

The circular fashion cycle includes:

• Textile Production: Responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and recycled materials.

• Design: Garments built for longevity, easy repair, and recyclability.

• Dyeing & Processing: Reducing energy, chemical, and water use.

• Distribution & Sale: Prioritizing efficient logistics and sustainable packaging.

• Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle: Ensuring garments find new life instead of ending up as waste.

Where Professional Cleaners Fit In

Garment care professionals are the essential link that keeps this loop turning. Every piece that’s cleaned, repaired, or restored extends the life of a textile — reducing its environmental footprint.

Here’s how cleaners contribute at every stage:

• Reuse: Regular care preserves garments for continued use, resale, or rental programs.

• Repurpose: Refreshing or re-dyeing older garments opens new opportunities for resale and creative reuse.

• Recycle: Identifying end-of-life materials helps divert textiles into recycling streams instead of landfills.

By combining precision care with sustainable operations — such as wet cleaning, energy-efficient systems, and biodegradable products — cleaners directly support the goals outlined by Textile Exchange and the global fashion community.

From Fiber to Finish: Shared Responsibility

One of the strongest themes from Textile Exchange 2025 was shared accountability across the entire value chain — from fiber producers to garment care specialists. Cleaners who modernize their systems, track resource savings, and document garment longevity data will be seen as true partners in brand sustainability.

NCA’s mission to promote Sustainability in Action reflects this new standard. It’s not about marketing it’s about measurable results. We will be speaking more about this on the Green Cleaner Council website greencleanerscouncil.com

The Road Ahead

Circular fashion isn’t a trend — it’s the new business model. As brands redesign garments for durability, they will need reliable care partners who understand fiber innovation, digital tracking, and end-of-life solutions.

The dry cleaning industry stands ready to fill that role. Through technology, transparency, and collaboration, NCA members can lead the way in proving that care is the core of sustainability.