Implementation of reverse logistics strategies for the circular economy in the Andean Community textile industry: a comparative analysis with international models

Abstract

The textile industry is one of the most polluting sectors on the planet, making the transition to circular economy (CE) models urgent. Therefore, reverse logistics (RL) constitutes a strategic mechanism for recovering value from post-consumer textile waste and driving the transition toward the CE. This study examines, from a comparative perspective, the reverse logistics strategies adopted by the textile industry in the Andean Community (CAN), specifically in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, using established models from Asia and Europe as a reference. To this end, a systematic review of the literature was conducted in conjunction with a comparative analysis of public policies and sectoral initiatives.  The results reveal that the Four Andean countries exhibit varying levels of maturity in reverse logistics: Colombia has a Teloreciclo program; Peru is moving forward with an Ecocanvas program; Bolivia has developed the Re`use initiative; and Ecuador has the Circular Economy White Paper as a guiding framework. However, none of these countries has established a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for the textile sector, unlike European models where this regulatory instrument has increased textile waste recovery from less than 10% to over 30%. Among the main barriers identified are the lack of harmonized regulatory frameworks, inadequate technological infrastructure for sorting and recycling, the need for a harmonized regional REP protocol, investment in shared infrastructure, and the formalization of existing pilot initiatives to move toward established circular economy models.