ABSTRACT
There has been a severe setback towards the sustainability in textiles and clothing sector due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. There has been a loss of momentum towards sustainable textile production, and also the 3R’s (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) have taken a back seat. This brings into line the zero-waste hierarchy concept for a circular economy by taking specific initiatives like rethink/refuse/redesign, implementing 3R's, composting, material and chemical recovery, etc. The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced the textile sector to focus on developments that will enhance human beings’ protection by producing antiviral clothing materials such as personal protective gears like private protective suits, masks, hand gloves, etc. This personal protective equipment (PPE) has generated a waste mountain of PPE worldwide and has created havoc in terms of sustainability. This chapter will emphasise the impact on sustainability in terms of textiles and clothing industries in detail. It will contribute towards cleaner production and sustainability in the textile sector because of COVID-19 by taking a step towards the opportunities for change in textile processes as per the laws. In addressing these inquiries, we use a structure for analysing sustainability and the textile and garments sector, featuring the chances and difficulties for a sustainable change concerning design, production, utilisation and end-of-life. This chapter's primary concern is to identify whether the ongoing pandemic will support the sustainability evolution concerning the textile and clothing sector. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.