Environmental Impact of the Textile Sector in Colombia and the Urgent Need for Green Logistics: What Are the Main Barriers and Strategies for the Adoption of Green Logistics in Colombia’s Textile Sector?

Abstract

The Colombian textile industry accounts for 9.4% of the country’s industrial GDP and generates more than 600,000 jobs. It currently faces a major challenge: continuing to grow without increasing its negative impact on the environment. Fast fashion has driven accelerated consumption patterns that shorten the lifespan of garments and significantly increase waste generation. For example, the production of a single cotton T-shirt requires approximately 2,700 liters of water, a figure that highlights the considerable environmental impact associated with such an everyday item of clothing. Likewise, in Colombia, less than 5% of textile waste is recycled or reused, underscoring the urgent need to transform current production and consumption practices within the fashion industry. This study aims to analyze how green logistics can become a key strategy for promoting a significant transformation in the Colombian textile industry and guiding it toward more responsible and sustainable practices, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13). To this end, the main challenges and opportunities related to reducing the sector’s environmental impact are examined through a mixed-methods approach that integrates data analysis, case studies, and a review of successful experiences implemented at both the national and international levels.