The Tunisian textile sector wants to reduce the environmental impact of its activity. Textile operators are being introduced to a green economy approach, where chemical waste from factories are recycled or valorised. It aims at developing circular textile value chains, recovering textile waste, strengthening local infrastructure, technical expertise and knowhow to promote the appropriate classification, efficient collection, sorting and recycling of post-industrial and pre-consumer textile waste.

Textiles are a pillar of the Tunisian economy and contribute more than 20 per cent to the GDP, with1,600 companies, 1,60,000 jobs and exert a strong pressure on the environment. The textile and clothing industry plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of the country. Tunisia is among the top 15 garment suppliers in the world, and has the advantage of being close to the European market. It is EU’s the fifth largest supplier and a leading trouser supplier to the EU. Other important products are: work wear and lingerie. The main foreign investors in Tunisia’s apparel sector are: France, Germany, Belgium and Italy.