Turning research into action – habits and behaviour in focus for new projects on sustainable textile consumption
How can personal stories and experiences of owning and using clothes contribute to reducing textile consumption and climate impact – and how can people’s habits around textile use and waste be influenced? These are the questions two new projects, funded through Formas’ call Effekt, will explore, building on knowledge from previous studies. The focus is on ensuring that research is put into practice and creates real impact in society.
The project My Favourite Garment – sustainable textiles in everyday life aims to influence attitudes and increase understanding of how everyday choices – such as caring for, repairing and reusing our favourite clothes – can help reduce textile consumption and climate impact.
"Instead of focusing on what we should stop doing, the project highlights the positive emotions we associate with our favourite garments and how good it feels to care for the things we love", says Simone Andersson, project manager at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
Through the campaign #mittälsklingsplagg (#myfavouritegarment), stories will be collected about garments that people have chosen to keep, repair or repurpose. These stories will be combined with research-based knowledge about sustainable textile use. The aim is to promote a culture where quality and textile care are seen as meaningful and rewarding.
The project is carried out in collaboration with ElectriCity, Slow Fashion Hub, and Stockholms Stadsmission. An important part of the work is to develop educational materials for schools and create a digital platform to strengthen local engagement. Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm will serve as the pilot area for the project.
"Research-based insights need to be translated into action to make a real difference. The aim of this project is to create tools, role models and stories that make the circular transition concrete, engaging and accessible for schools, households and municipalities", says Simone Andersson.
Preventing textile waste
The second project focuses on preventing municipal textile waste and creating meeting places that encourage engagement and sustainable habits. Since the beginning of 2025, municipalities have been responsible for the separate collection of textile waste. They are also tasked with informing residents about the importance and climate benefits of responsible consumption and waste minimisation. However, municipal waste management organisations often lack sufficient financial resources, suitable environments and expertise in behavioural change and the climate effects of textile consumption and waste management.
"People may not be most receptive to advice on how to repair clothes when they’re already at the recycling centre. In this project, we’ll explore how to reach different groups in society, secure access to the environments where they are easiest to engage, and develop messages and interventions tailored to each group and context", says Erik Perzon, textile expert and project manager at IVL.
The project is carried out in collaboration with City of Gothenburg – Kretslopp och vatten, University of Borås and Profu. The methods developed will be tested and evaluated in different settings in the Gothenburg area. The most successful approaches will then be shared with other municipalities to maximise the project’s impact and reach.
For more information, please contact:
Simone Andersson, simone.andersson@ivl.se, +46 10 788 55 61
Erik Perzon, erik.perzon@ivl.se, +46 10 788 65 70
The projects My Favourite Garment – sustainable textiles in everyday life and Prevention of municipal textile waste – engaging interventions in the right places are funded through Formas’ call Effekt. The call supports projects that turn research-based knowledge into concrete actions, contributing to practical solutions for societal challenges. Read more on Formas’ website. External link, opens in new window.