How to Reduce Textile Waste in the Fashion Industry
The myopic approach of the fast fashion industry has become a major cause for concern. “Cheap clothing” which attracts millions of buyers in all parts of the world, is not so “cheap” after all. The earth pays the cost when 92 million tonnes of textile waste are dumped annually into landfills, and 42 million tonnes of plastic waste are created each year. These shocking textile waste statistics should be enough to jolt us into action.
“Shop less, think more.” – Vivienne Westwood, the fashion designer said it best.
Change needs to come from within. There is so much that can be done. Many businesses are adopting sustainable methods to help counter the crisis.
Let us take a look at the steps that can and are being taken to help reduce textile waste in the fashion industry.
Choosing Eco-friendly Innovative Fabrics
Our landfill sites are brimming to the top. This is not only because excessive amounts of waste are generated during the various stages of a fabric’s life cycle, but also because this waste does not biodegrade. Replacing synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon with sustainable ones will be a step in the right direction.
Choosing eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo could help majorly by lowering the environmental impact of fast fashion. This is because organic materials disintegrate naturally over time and do not just sit in landfills as synthetic materials do.
A game-changer in the fashion world, CELYSTM, has presented the industry with a ground-breaking solution, the CELYSTM compostable fibre. This unique polyester can compost fully within 179 days, under industrial composting conditions, thereby taking care of the fast fashion textile waste issue.
Designing Durable Clothing
We have to stop treating clothing as disposable. But customers tend to do just that when attractive, trendy, economical and even cheap clothes are freely available in the market.
Once again, the responsibility lies with the fashion companies. They should focus more on designing and manufacturing clothes that are durable and made to last, instead of focusing solely on designs that sell fast.
The use of high-quality materials will not just raise the cost of production, but will also make sure that there is little wear and tear on the clothing.
As a result, customers will not need new clothing and replacements so frequently. The not-so-economical fashion will also help bring down the rate of impulse buying and hence, textile waste will be reduced in the process.
Using Recycled Materials
There is a strain on earth’s resources because of the heavy demands placed on them by the fashion world. Every time a new t-shirt is produced, 27,000 litres of water is consumed! Fashion’s favourite material, polyester, is made from petroleum which is a natural non-renewable resource and is being consumed rapidly by the industry.
This mindless consumption of resources for the production of excessive clothing will have dire consequences in the long run.
A responsible approach to fashion production would be to use recycled materials, the benefits of which are countless. It would be a sure way of helping move towards sustainability and saving the earth’s natural resources. At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions would be drastically lowered resulting in a cleaner, greener planet.
When discarded clothes are treated as the starting point of new clothes, the fast fashion textile waste issue will begin to be resolved. Simultaneously, it will increase the demand for fibres at the end of their life cycle, incentivising textile waste recycling.
Applying the Circular Fashion Model
So far linear economy has been the predominant business model applied by companies and businesses within the industry. A Circular Fashion Model would mean ensuring all the materials remain within the system and are repurposed and not discarded. It allows not only the waste but also the available resources to be utilised again by the industry.
With the circular fashion model in place, clothes are designed not just to last longer but also in a way that the material can be used again. The aim is to maximise the lifespan of the resources and keep them within the system, thus closing the loop.
Reducing Overproduction
Businesses have a major goal in mind, and that is to maximise their sales. To achieve their sales targets, these companies often produce more than is ever sold. The excess inventory often remains unpurchased and ends up being discarded and turned into fast fashion textile waste.
Overproduction goes hand in hand with the overconsumption of resources. More textiles being created means more water, energy and raw materials being used up.
Businesses need to act responsibly and narrow down the gap between customer demand and the supply they create. One solution would be to choose made-to-order clothing. This will ensure that there is a supply only when there is a demand.
Reducing Waste During Cutting and Sewing
Waste is not just created at the end of the lifecycle of clothes. A significant amount of fabric is wasted during the preparation and production stages such as while cutting and stitching. This is done to follow different patterns and designs.
Designing should be done creatively to reduce the amount of material being lost in the process. Using solid colours instead of prints does away with the need to cut along a line or print, making it possible to save fabric.
By following these practices, the industry can reduce textile waste significantly. These measures will help achieve the fashion world’s sustainability goals and save the earth from further environmental concerns.
However, the fashion industry alone cannot shoulder the entire responsibility. Consumers have a role to play as well. They can make a substantial contribution by making a few changes in their lifestyles.
- Impulse buying needs to be discouraged.
- Choosing textile waste recycling, instead of dumping old clothes, will help counter the problem at various levels.
- By upcycling and repurposing old clothes customers can give a fresh look to their wardrobes and avoid discarding old items.
- Repairing and mending clothes will make them wearable again and this practice should be encouraged.
- Buying second-hand, pre-loved clothes needs to be supported.
It has to be a joint effort. The industry and the consumers need to work hand in hand to surmount the challenge of textile waste. Now is the time to encourage innovation and sustainable practices. The entire system needs to be reimagined for the betterment of the planet.
