Emerging partnerships between non-profit organizations and companies in reverse supply chains: enabling valorization of post-use textile

PurposeThe European Union (EU) member states are obligated to implement the separate collection of textile waste by the year 2025. Nowadays, non-profit organizations (NPOs) are the largest collectors of post-use textiles. In support of upcoming changes, this study develops an understanding of barriers and drivers for establishing partnerships between NPOs and companies in reverse textile supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts the embedded single-case design. The main data source is semi-structured interviews with NPOs, companies and research institutes in Finland, identified through intensity case sampling. The drivers and barriers are categorized into seven categories: environmental, economic, social, institutional, technological and informational, supply chain and organizational categories.FindingsThis study elaborates on the barriers and drivers in a new context of textile valorization and prioritizes them. The study identifies the alignment of interests and goals, increased transparency and clarity of terminology and other main factors in establishing the partnership.Research limitations/implicationsExpanding the geographical boundaries of current research will capture the experiences of NPOs and companies in other contextual settings.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to the existing knowledge with a broad picture of different barriers and drivers. The findings intend to support the integration of NPOs in reverse textile supply chains.Social implicationsThe partnership can potentially minimize the export of post-use textiles to developing countries, thus reducing the negative environmental footprint and social impact of the textile industry.Originality/valueThe study looks at an emerging form of partnership between NPOs and companies in reverse supply chains for enabling valorization of post-use textiles.