A Circular Economy Strategy
for the Pre-Consumer Stage of
the Scottish Textile Industry

Clothing is something everyone owns, ranging
from minimal to extensive and from inexpensive
to high-end.The reasons people buy clothing vary:
some simply need something to wear, while others
use it to express their personality. Clothing’s attributes,
such as being waterproof, fire-resistant, breathable,
and elastic, contribute to its versatility.

The clothing industry produces remarkable items,
but what is less remarkable is the waste
generated during production and at the end of
a product’s lifecycle when it is discarded
by consumers.

This master’s thesis addresses textile waste in
the pre-consumer stage, specifically focusing
on a byproduct from the finishing process in wool
and cashmere weaving mills, known as “FLOCK.”
The research question explored was, “How can
FLOCK, a waste product from weaving, be re-
integrated into the industry as a circular product?”
The study examined how this waste could be
repurposed according to Circular Economy principles—
use more, made to be made again, and made from
safe and recycled or renewable inputs (Ellen
MacArthur Foundation, Vision of a Circular Economy
for Fashion, 2020) — while reducing waste and
the use of new resources.

A qualitative approach was used, incorporating
methodologies such as case study, action research,
co-design, and systems thinking. 
The research
included literature reviews, case study analyses,
semi-structured interviews, 
co-design sessions,
and prototyping.

It concluded that FLOCK has significant potential
for regional reuse. Several art centers and companies
producing household items could utilize this waste
material rather than new resources. To address this
unmet need, five product prototypes were developed,
along with a circular system accessible via an app for
providers, producers and consumers.

FLOCK represents a critical unmet issue in
Moray, Scotland, consistently ending up in
landfills due to underutilization despite its
potential. This research proposes a solution
through collaboration among various industries,
a central hub, consumers, and the provider.