Pathways to a Circular Economy in Cambodia’s Garment Industry: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Interventions
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Mar 31, 2026
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Abstract
The garment industry in Cambodia is one of the leading contributors to the country’s economy. It runs a linear production process with high consumption of materials generating massive textile wastes with very scanty recycling facilities. Since global brands increasingly advocate for sustainable production, Cambodia has been pressured within increasing degrees to implement circular economy (CE) strategies that minimize waste management while optimizing resource utilization and extending total competitiveness in the long run. A resultant aspect focuses on the challenges and opportunities of moving the garment industry in Cambodia toward a circular economy. Through existing literature review, waste stream analysis, and current factory practice assessment, this study not only identifies the technological, economic, and institutional hindrances against circular practice adoption but also reveals opportunities such as a waste segregation system, material-efficient technologies, upcycling initiatives, and possible partnerships with global buyers. Policies towards the recycling investments targeted at governments, factory owners and international brands supporting CE integration are proposed in the form of incentives; namely the waste reporting systems on an industry basis and capacity building programs. This requires an institutionalized multi-stakeholder approach under the findings enabling the garment industry of Cambodia to be put forward in transition movements towards sustainable and circular textile value chains.
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Sithambalam, Y. (2026). Pathways to a Circular Economy in Cambodia’s Garment Industry: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Interventions. Journal of Research and Multidisciplinary, 9(1), 1143-1156. https://doi.org/10.5281/jrm.v9i1.129
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References
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Koszewska, M. (2018). Circular Economy — Challenges for the Textile and Clothing Industry. Autex Research Journal, 18(4), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0023
Le, Q. A., Tran, V. A., & Nguyen Duc, B. L. (2019). The Belt and Road Initiative and Its Perceived Impacts on the Textile and Garment Industry of Vietnam. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 5(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc5030059
Leonas, K. K. (2016). The Use of Recycled Fibers in Fashion and Home Products (pp. 55–77). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2146-6_2
Lewis, T. L., Park, H., Netravali, A. N., & Trejo, H. X. (2016). Closing the loop: a scalable zero-waste model for apparel reuse and recycling. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 10(3), 353–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2016.1263364
Mendoza, J. M. F., Heyes, G., Azapagic, A., Sharmina, M., & Gallego‐Schmid, A. (2017). Integrating Backcasting and Eco‐Design for the Circular Economy: The BECE Framework. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 526–544. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12590
Peng, B., Wang, Y., Elahi, E., & Wei, G. (2019). Behavioral game and simulation analysis of extended producer responsibility system’s implementation under environmental regulations. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(17), 17644–17654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05215-w
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Rashid, K. H. O., Aziz, R. A., Karmaker, C. L., Bari, A. B. M. M., & Raihan, A. (2024). Evaluating the challenges to circular economy implementation in the apparel accessories industry: Implications for sustainable development. Green Technologies and Sustainability, 3(2), 100140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.grets.2024.100140
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Saha, K., Dey, P. K., & Papagiannaki, E. (2021). Implementing circular economy in the textile and clothing industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1497–1530. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2670
Saha, K., Dey, P. K., & Kumar, V. (2024). A comprehensive review of circular economy research in the textile and clothing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 444, 141252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141252
Saif, M., Blay-Roger, R., Zeeshan, M., Bobadilla, L. F., Reina, T. R., Nawaz, M. A., & Odriozola, J. A. (2024). Navigating the Legislative Interventions, Challenges, and Opportunities in Revolutionizing Textile Upcycling/Recycling Processes for a Circular Economy. ACS Sustainable Resource Management, 1(11), 2338–2349. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00242
Salman, S., Uday, R. M., Rahman, R., & Shanta, M. H. (2025). Circular Economy Transition in Bangladesh’s Ready‐Made Garments Sector: Investigating the Key Barriers Through a Fuzzy DEMATEL Analysis. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(4), 3982–4000. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4181
Suarez-Visbal, L. J., Rosales-Carreón, J., Corona, B., Hoffman, J., & Worrell, E. (2024). Transformative circular futures in the textile and apparel value chain: Guiding policy and business recommendations in the Netherlands, Spain, and India. Journal of Cleaner Production, 447, 141512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141512
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Tong, X., Wang, T., Li, J., & Wang, X. (2024). Extended producer responsibility to reconstruct the circular value chain. Circular Economy, 3(1), 100076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cec.2024.100076
Wagaw, T., & Babu, K. M. (2023). Textile Waste Recycling: A Need for a Stringent Paradigm Shift. AATCC Journal of Research, 10(6), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/24723444231188342
Wojnowska-Baryła, I., Bernat, K., Zaborowska, M., & Kulikowska, D. (2024). The Growing Problem of Textile Waste Generation—The Current State of Textile Waste Management. Energies, 17(7), 1528. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071528
Zhidebekkyzy, A., Kotaskova, A., Temerbulatova, Z., & Németh, P. (2024). Catalysing responsible production: Evaluating the impact of EPR system on manufacturing enterprises. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, 17(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2024/17-2/9
Ávila-Gutiérrez, M. J., Aguayo-González, F., Martín-Gómez, A., & Córdoba-Roldán, A. (2019). Standardization Framework for Sustainability from Circular Economy 4.0. Sustainability, 11(22), 6490. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226490
Burke, H., Zhang, A., & Wang, J. X. (2021). Integrating product design and supply chain management for a circular economy. Production Planning & Control, 34(11), 1097–1113. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2021.1983063
Butturi, M. A., Mercalli, F., Gamberini, R., & Neri, A. (2025). Sustainability-Oriented Innovation in the Textile Manufacturing Industry: Pre-Consumer Waste Recovery and Circular Patterns. Environments, 12(3), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12030082
Campbell-Johnston, K., Calisto Friant, M., Thapa, K., Lakerveld, D., & Vermeulen, W. J. V. (2020). How circular is your tyre: Experiences with extended producer responsibility from a circular economy perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 270, 122042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122042
Centobelli, P., Abbate, S., Nadeem, S. P., & Garza-Reyes, J. A. (2022). Slowing the fast fashion industry: An all-round perspective. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 38, 100684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100684
Coscieme, L., Manshoven, S., Gillabel, J., Grossi, F., & Mortensen, L. F. (2022). A framework of circular business models for fashion and textiles: the role of business-model, technical, and social innovation. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 18(1), 451–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2022.2083792
D’Adamo, I., Lupi, G., Settembre-Blundo, D., & Morone, P. (2022). Towards the circular economy in the fashion industry: the second-hand market as a best practice of sustainable responsibility for businesses and consumers. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(31), 46620–46633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19255-2
Daňo, F., Drábik, P., & Hanuláková, E. (2020). Circular Business Models in Textiles and Apparel Sector in Slovakia. Central European Business Review, 9(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.226
Das, A. K., Khan, B. U., Akter, M., Asad, M. A. Z., Rahman, M. M., & Hossain, M. F. (2025). Circular economy: A sustainable model for waste reduction and wealth creation in the textile supply chain. SPE Polymers, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/pls2.10171
Eppinger, E. (2022). Recycling technologies for enabling sustainability transitions of the fashion industry: status quo and avenues for increasing post-consumer waste recycling. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 18(1), 114–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2022.2027122
Gu, F., Guo, J., Hall, P., & Gu, X. (2018). An integrated architecture for implementing extended producer responsibility in the context of Industry 4.0. International Journal of Production Research, 57(5), 1458–1477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1489161
Hassan, R., Acerbi, F., Rosa, P., & Terzi, S. (2024). The role of digital technologies in the circular transition of the textile sector. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 116(12), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2024.2414162
Kazancoglu, I., Yarimoglu, E., Kahraman, A., & Kazancoglu, Y. (2020). A conceptual framework for barriers of circular supply chains for sustainability in the textile industry. Sustainable Development, 28(5), 1477–1492. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2100
Kojima, M., Sasaki, S., & Yoshida, A. (2009). Difficulties in applying extended producer responsibility policies in developing countries: case studies in e-waste recycling in China and Thailand. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 11(3), 263–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-009-0240-x
Koszewska, M. (2018). Circular Economy — Challenges for the Textile and Clothing Industry. Autex Research Journal, 18(4), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0023
Le, Q. A., Tran, V. A., & Nguyen Duc, B. L. (2019). The Belt and Road Initiative and Its Perceived Impacts on the Textile and Garment Industry of Vietnam. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 5(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc5030059
Leonas, K. K. (2016). The Use of Recycled Fibers in Fashion and Home Products (pp. 55–77). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2146-6_2
Lewis, T. L., Park, H., Netravali, A. N., & Trejo, H. X. (2016). Closing the loop: a scalable zero-waste model for apparel reuse and recycling. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 10(3), 353–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2016.1263364
Mendoza, J. M. F., Heyes, G., Azapagic, A., Sharmina, M., & Gallego‐Schmid, A. (2017). Integrating Backcasting and Eco‐Design for the Circular Economy: The BECE Framework. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 526–544. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12590
Peng, B., Wang, Y., Elahi, E., & Wei, G. (2019). Behavioral game and simulation analysis of extended producer responsibility system’s implementation under environmental regulations. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(17), 17644–17654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05215-w
Ramírez-Escamilla, H. G., Padilla-Rivera, A., Martínez-Rodríguez, M. C., Campos-Villegas, L. E., & Domínguez-Solís, D. (2024). Advancing Toward Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Circular Economy Strategies in the Textile Industry. Recycling, 9(5), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050095
Rashid, K. H. O., Aziz, R. A., Karmaker, C. L., Bari, A. B. M. M., & Raihan, A. (2024). Evaluating the challenges to circular economy implementation in the apparel accessories industry: Implications for sustainable development. Green Technologies and Sustainability, 3(2), 100140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.grets.2024.100140
Reike, D., Hekkert, M. P., & Negro, S. O. (2022). Understanding circular economy transitions: The case of circular textiles. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(3), 1032–1058. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3114
Saha, K., Dey, P. K., & Papagiannaki, E. (2021). Implementing circular economy in the textile and clothing industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1497–1530. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2670
Saha, K., Dey, P. K., & Kumar, V. (2024). A comprehensive review of circular economy research in the textile and clothing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 444, 141252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141252
Saif, M., Blay-Roger, R., Zeeshan, M., Bobadilla, L. F., Reina, T. R., Nawaz, M. A., & Odriozola, J. A. (2024). Navigating the Legislative Interventions, Challenges, and Opportunities in Revolutionizing Textile Upcycling/Recycling Processes for a Circular Economy. ACS Sustainable Resource Management, 1(11), 2338–2349. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00242
Salman, S., Uday, R. M., Rahman, R., & Shanta, M. H. (2025). Circular Economy Transition in Bangladesh’s Ready‐Made Garments Sector: Investigating the Key Barriers Through a Fuzzy DEMATEL Analysis. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(4), 3982–4000. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4181
Suarez-Visbal, L. J., Rosales-Carreón, J., Corona, B., Hoffman, J., & Worrell, E. (2024). Transformative circular futures in the textile and apparel value chain: Guiding policy and business recommendations in the Netherlands, Spain, and India. Journal of Cleaner Production, 447, 141512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141512
Tang, K. H. D. (2023). State of the Art in Textile Waste Management: A Review. Textiles, 3(4), 454–467. https://doi.org/10.3390/textiles3040027
Tong, X., Wang, T., Li, J., & Wang, X. (2024). Extended producer responsibility to reconstruct the circular value chain. Circular Economy, 3(1), 100076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cec.2024.100076
Wagaw, T., & Babu, K. M. (2023). Textile Waste Recycling: A Need for a Stringent Paradigm Shift. AATCC Journal of Research, 10(6), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/24723444231188342
Wojnowska-Baryła, I., Bernat, K., Zaborowska, M., & Kulikowska, D. (2024). The Growing Problem of Textile Waste Generation—The Current State of Textile Waste Management. Energies, 17(7), 1528. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071528
Zhidebekkyzy, A., Kotaskova, A., Temerbulatova, Z., & Németh, P. (2024). Catalysing responsible production: Evaluating the impact of EPR system on manufacturing enterprises. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, 17(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2024/17-2/9