A sustainability expert is calling on the Philippine textile industry to move beyond traditional production models and adopt a value-preserving textile system that supports circular economy goals for greater sustainability and competitiveness.
Dr. Anthony Halog, senior academic in sustainable systems and circularity engineering at the University of Queensland, emphasized that the core message of a circular economy—particularly in the textile sector—is to shift from a volume-driven to a value-preserving textile system.
“The challenge for the next generation of scientists and engineers is how to redesign and upscale technologies so that, besides producing the main products, we can also convert waste and emissions into value-adding resources,” Halog said during the 2025 Philippine Textile Congress.
Citing data from the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), Halog noted that the country generates about 267,711 tons of textile waste annually, equivalent to 1.6 percent of total municipal solid waste. He urged industry stakeholders to prevent, reduce, or repurpose textile waste rather than allow it to pile up in landfills.
According to Halog, major drivers of textile waste in the Philippines include fast fashion imports, the ukay-ukay or secondhand trade, unregulated textile offcuts that are often landfilled or burned, and consumer preference for novelty over durability, which encourages overconsumption.
He also encouraged greater use of indigenous natural fibers such as abaca and piña, aligning with the principles of a circular bioeconomy that transforms biomass into high-value products—a research area he continues to advance in Australia.
Halog further highlighted the importance of innovative tools and digital technologies to make the local textile industry more resource-efficient, competitive, and export-ready. He said Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) helps measure environmental impacts across the fiber-to-garment chain, such as carbon, water, and energy footprints, while Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is a key requirement for exporters to the European Union. He also cited the use of Materials Flow Analysis, which tracks textile waste streams to identify recycling and upcycling opportunities.
Halog said other tools for transformation include digitalization using artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, which can enhance efficiency and sustainability in textile production, as well as eco-design and labeling practices that help build consumer trust and strengthen access to global markets.
“There are a lot of opportunities for you to upgrade your skills and competencies so that you are ready for these circular economy opportunities—not only here in the Philippines, but globally,” Halog said.