Evaluation of pre-consumer waste in the Turkish ready-to-wear sector through sustainable design methods

This study examines how pre-consumer waste generated in Turkey's ready-to-wear sector can be evaluated through sustainable design methods. The increasing production and consumption driven by fast fashion have intensified environmental problems and waste generation, bringing alternative approaches such as sustainable fashion, slow fashion, and the circular economy to the forefront. The research establishes a conceptual framework that explores the development of the textile and ready-to-wear sector, the effects of fast fashion, types of waste, and recycling processes. Based on a literature review, it analyzes sustainability practices in the fashion industry and particularly evaluates circular production models from a designer's perspective. The main aim is to demonstrate how sustainable design principles can be applied in managing pre-consumer textile waste. The study also highlights the sustainability approaches of local designers such as Raşit Bağzıbağlı. The findings reveal that textile waste in Turkey is insufficiently recovered, sustainable design principles are not widely adopted, and legal infrastructures remain inadequate. However, it is concluded that increasing consumer awareness and adopting eco-friendly design practices may help overcome these challenges. The study aims to contribute to the development of sustainability-oriented strategies in the sector.