Why Textile Sustainability Is Failing in Practice

Mujibullah Khan, CEO and founder of iTextiles, explains why sustainability has become one of the biggest contradictions in global textile manufacturing. Brands demand recycled materials, certifications, and cleaner processes, but continue pushing prices lower, leaving manufacturers trapped between compliance and survival.

We discuss why certifications often add cost without solving core problems, how volume-driven sourcing distorts incentives, and why sustainability has become superficial rather than structural. A direct conversation on margins, capacity dependence, and why real change must start with brands and retailers sharing the cost.