By Cristina Rivas - Translated by Ángela Suárez
In a context of the environmental crisis generated by fast fashion, responsible for 20% of the global wastewater and millions of tons of textile waste, design positions itself as a key educational tool. More than creating, designing implies comprehending the complete life cycle of a garment, from the materials used to its potential for reuse, repair, or recycling.
In higher education, there is a growing interest in biodegradable fibers (such as organic cotton, linen, or hemp), innovative materials (bio-leather, textiles made from recycled plastics), and circular design approaches, which create garments designed for multiple use cycles. These practices teach us to question each decision: Why choose this material? What impact will this design have at the end of its life?
(Day 2 of Universo MOLA Fashion Week 2025 (UMFW) during one of its workshops)
Sustainable advances in Latin America
- Pioneering regulation in Chile: In 2025, the country incorporated textiles into its Extended Producer Responsibility Law, promoting the reuse, recycling, and garments’ repair.
- Citizen rescuing: The Desierto Vestido initiative recovered 2 tons of clothing in one month. In March 2025, 300 restored garments sold out in just 5 hours, demonstrating an active and conscious community.
- Recycling with social impact: Ecocitex, in Santiago, transforms textile waste into eco-friendly yarn without using water or dyes. It collects 4 tons per month and employs women in social reintegration programs.
- Regional market growth: Textile recycling in Latin America generated between USD 280 and 407 million in 2024, with annual growth projections of up to 6.6%.
- Inclusive employment in Central America: Across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, it is estimated that the used clothing industry could generate 3 million jobs by 2040.
- Measurable environmental impact: A recycled garment consumes only 0.01% of the water required for a new one, and avoids approximately 3 kg of CO2 emissions.
Design as a consciousness driver
Designing is not only about creating clothes, it is about teaching people to see differently. When someone learns to make, modify, or repair a garment, they develop an emotional connection to it. This bond promotes care, reuse, and a break from disposable consumption. Design, thus, becomes a formative experience that fosters responsibility, identity, and sustainability.
Universo MOLA: Identity and regional action
Universo MOLA (Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation, 2016) is a key player in promoting sustainable fashion in Latin America through events, networks (“MOLA hub”), and educational programs (“MOLA Educa”.)
(Universo MOLA team during the UMFW 2025 event)
With education, an integrative approach is encouraged:
- Cultural awareness: Highlights local talent and reinforces Latin American identity in sustainable fashion.
- Comprehensive training: Promotes design with social and environmental responsibility, combining traditional knowledge, local resources, and technologies such as textile biotechnology.
Why is sustainable design important in Latin America?
- Reduces textile waste through regulation and community recovery initiatives.
- Generates employment and boosts local economies, especially for vulnerable sectors.
- Minimizes environmental impactby reducing water use, CO2 emissions, and dependence on virgin materials.
- Strengthens identity and cultureby revaluing regional design and local resources.
With this 2025 data, Latin America is transforming the fast fashion crisis into an opportunity to educate, design, and empower communities. Chile regulates and reuses, citizens rescue and restore, industries recycle and include. At a regional level, textile recycling is growing in economic value and job creation. Through education, initiatives like Universo MOLA spark the cultural and educational change necessary to drive a conscious, local, and truly sustainable transition.
Sources:
El País. (2025, mayo 23). Una segunda vida a la ropa desechada en el desierto de Atacama, en Chile, el vertedero textil más grande del mundo. https://elpais.com/chile/2025-05-23/una-segunda-vida-a-la-ropa-desechada-en-el-desierto-de-atacama-en-chile-el-vertedero-textil-mas-grande-del-mundo.html
The Guardian. (2025, junio 26). Chile targets fast fashion waste with landmark desert cleanup plan. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/26/chile-fast-fashion-waste-atacama-desert
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Sustainable Fashion. Wikipedia, La enciclopedia libre. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moda_sostenible
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Ecocitex. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocitex
FashionUnited. (2023, mayo 1). La industria de la ropa usada se afianza en Centroamérica. https://fashionunited.co/noticias/moda/la-industria-de-la-ropa-usada-se-afianza-en-centroamerica/2023050134988
SciDev.Net. (2024, octubre). Cementerios de ropa: el costo de la fast fashion en América Latina. https://www.scidev.net/america-latina/scidev-net-reportaje/cementerios-de-ropa-el-costo-de-la-fast-fashion-en-america-latina/
IDB Invest. (2023). La digitalización y la sostenibilidad vienen al rescate de la industria de la moda. https://idbinvest.org/es/blog/impacto-en-el-desarrollo/la-digitalizacion-y-la-sostenibilidad-vienen-al-rescate-de-la
IMARC Group. (2024). Latin America textile recycling market: industry trends, share, size, growth & forecast 2024–2032. https://www.imarcgroup.com/latin-america-textile-recycling-market
Grand View Research. (2023). Textile recycling market size, share & trends analysis report by source and by region. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/textile-recycling-market/latin-america
