COLLABORATION NATIONAL
INDIA
By IFAB MEDIA - NEWS BUREAU - August 3, 2023 | 52 4 minutes read
In a proactive effort to address the pressing concerns of textile waste and its impact on the environment, the Indian Government has joined hands with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to launch the ambitious project 'Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability' in India's textiles and apparel sectors. This collaborative initiative aims to minimize the adverse environmental effects of the textile industry by fostering sustainable practices and incorporating circular production-based methodologies.
As part of the project, 20 strategic research projects have received approval, focusing on specialty fibers and geo textiles. Notably, three of these approved projects are dedicated to Textile waste recycling, underlining the significance of waste management in the sector.
In a further move towards promoting sustainability and enhancing global garment exports, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has partnered with Fashion for Goods, Netherlands, to initiate an endeavor dedicated to circularity. By boosting the competitiveness of garment exports globally, this drive seeks to optimize efficiency in the textiles sector.
The textile industry faces significant challenges regarding waste generation, with approximately 50% of fabric being wasted during the manufacturing process. Fast fashion trends contribute to a staggering 81% of all manufactured garments ending up in landfills, either due to a short life cycle after consumer use or due to excess stock.
Despite the magnitude of waste deposited in landfills—predominantly comprising textiles waste—close to 59% is currently recycled and reused. The global apparel market size is projected to witness robust growth, expected to reach $843.13 billion in 2026, up from $551.36 billion in 2021, representing an impressive growth rate of 8.6%, as reported by AEPC.
India's unique advantage lies in its abundant raw material availability and reduced import dependence, making it an attractive manufacturing hub for international brands and retailers. The nation adopts a strategic approach, aiming to foster wider adoption of sustainable measures among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by offering demonstrations, solutions, sustainability awards, and branding efforts.
A government-backed initiative supports Indian garment manufacturers in achieving their circularity goals by tackling key problem areas such as agricultural waste to textile, chemical recycling of textile, textile waste, alternate leather, regenerative agriculture, wastewater management, plastic recycling, and traceability in the textile supply chain.
India possesses a well-established and organized textiles waste value chain, facilitating seamless waste transfer across the country, enabling efficient recycling and reuse practices.
This concerted effort towards promoting sustainability and circular practices in the textile industry underscores India's commitment to combating environmental challenges and fostering a greener and more responsible approach to textile production and consumption.