Rethinking the global
textile system
View the full presentation here.
An understanding of the problems within the current textile system. enviromental/ social impacts and the potential risks, followed by an ideation of a new textile economy with a highlight on the 3R’s - reuse, reduce, recycle.
Year
2024
Project
Research-based
“Why do we need to rethink the global textile system?”
More than 500 billion dollars are lost every year due to under-utilization of textiles and improper recycling methods, risking sustainability and profitability.
New textile economy
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Material Innovation
Brands need to drive investment in technologies; Cross value chain collaboration is essential. Transparency can speed up
the innovation process. -
Accountability
Good system level resource management can be done by
accounting for the costs of negative externalities in supply
chains The Higg Index and Made By’s environmental benchmark.
Need for cross-value chain action
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Renewable Feedstock
Biomass sources like plant and waste materials like QMilk, BioSteel, OrangeFiber, EcoAlf, Parblex, Pinatex regenerative agricultural practices.
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Remove barriers
Low awareness, lack of technical skills,
misaligned incentives and funding difficulties can be overcome by joint investments & collaborations. -
Process Innovation
Water saving practices like drip irrigation, mechanization & water use in dyeing, lyocell innovation for cellulose based fibres can largely reduce input and chemical usage.