IoT Drives a Sustainable Circular Economy in Fashion

The fashion industry has long struggled with sustainability, responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions and a business model that pushes consumers toward constant replacement of clothing, writes freelance tech writer Jocelyn Brown.

While circular fashion initiatives exist, product traceability has remained a hurdle. New York‑based startup Eon is addressing this gap by harnessing the Internet of Things (IoT) to track garments from production to end‑of‑life.

Digital Birth Certificates for Every Garment

Leading brands now upload product data to Eon’s Connected Products platform. Each item receives a digital birth certificate detailing its production date, materials, and specifications. A virtual twin follows the garment through its lifecycle, enabling precise monitoring of wear, repair, and recycling.

Urgent Need for Circularity

The World Bank estimates that over 85% of textile waste ends up in landfills or incinerators. Without a substantial boost in recycling, global clothing demand could climb to 102 million tonnes in the next decade. Even boutique streetwear labels are revising processes to guarantee high quality, fair labor, and sustainability.

Endless Possibilities with IoT

Eon has partnered with retailers such as H&M and Net-a-Porter to embed a circular framework across the supply chain. CEO Natasha Franck explains, “We differentiate between digitised and connected products. Our work has evolved into an ecosystem that supports data exchange throughout the circular economy.”

Each item in the Eon system receives an RFID chip or a QR‑coded tag. These identifiers track resale, facilitate repairs, and ensure correct recycling methods.

The fashion sector has historically faced scrutiny for its environmental impact. By leveraging IoT, companies like Eon are turning one of the world’s largest waste generators into a model of sustainability.

The author is freelance technology writer, Jocelyn Brown.