Beyond The Landfill ─ Printful Shows How On-Demand Manufacturing Reduces Global Textile Waste
February 2026 – Printful, a leading on-demand printing and fulfilment company, has released comprehensive insights detailing how the shift towards on-demand manufacturing is critical in addressing the fashion industry's contribution to global textile waste.
The company highlights that traditional manufacturing models, which rely on volume-based assumptions, are the primary drivers of the millions of tons of garments sent to landfills annually.
The traditional fashion supply chain is often optimised for speed and volume at the expense of environmental responsibility.
Approximately 40% of all new textiles manufactured for clothing are never sold, often ending up in incinerators or landfills before reaching a consumer.
"The traditional fashion industry relies on assumptions – with manufacturers producing massive quantities of clothing months before a single sale is made," said a spokesperson for Printful. "On-demand manufacturing replaces this guesswork with precision."
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the textile industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater.
By adopting print-on-demand (POD) systems, brands can significantly lower their environmental footprint.
This method utilises digital printing and localised fulfilment, which reduces water consumption and carbon emissions throughout the supply chain compared to traditional screen printing or dyeing methods.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into design and fulfilment systems further aids in reducing fabric waste by optimising design placement on materials.
Furthermore, the company offers products made from organic cotton and recycled polyester, supporting a cultural shift towards intentional consumption and sustainable fashion.
About Printful:
Printful is a technology platform that helps ecommerce sellers of all sizes to use production-on-demand and other fulfillment solutions to turn their ideas into brands and products.
Founded in 2013, Printful pioneered the market by providing production and fulfillment services to small and medium-sized businesses.
It has since expanded its offering to serve the direct-to-consumer market and large enterprise clients.
Printful has scaled its own high-quality, on-demand production facilities across multiple continents and is now trusted to fulfill more than a million items monthly
