Weaving a circular economy of textile

Upcycling and Donations: Promoting Sustainable Fashion

As the fashion industry continues to grow, the need for sustainable practices becomes increasingly important. Upcycling, where designer brands are made available at competitive prices, is gaining traction as a business model. This approach not only limits the stress on raw material resources but also reduces the environmental impact. Additionally, many clothing brand outlets now encourage customers to bring in used clothes, offering discounts in return.

The Importance of Quality Donations

It is crucial to raise awareness among clothing donors about the importance of donating high-quality items that can be of use to those in need. Donations should be made before the fabric deteriorates, as degraded clothes serve no purpose. Hoarding unused clothes in a closet, allowing them to be damaged by termites instead of helping those who may need them, is highly irresponsible. Thoughtless giving can lead to the shifting of an environmental burden to regions already facing exploitation, as seen in the case of ‘dead white man’s clothes’ ending up in African landfills.

The Environmental Impact of the Textile Industry

The textile industry has a complex supply chain that leaves behind significant carbon footprints. The disposal of fabrics, especially synthetic ones, through landfills or incineration further burdens the environment. The current pattern of over-consumption is at the root of this problem, highlighting the need to retrieve reusable materials.

Policy Initiatives for Sustainability

Policy initiatives that support organizations working towards sustainability can make a difference. One suggestion is to grant carbon credits to those promoting best practices in sustainability, serving as a well-deserved incentive and boosting the conscious clothing movement. However, it is important to integrate sustainability at the production stage itself, rather than treating it as an afterthought. It is time to prioritize the well-being of our planet and make our concerns known to the world.

(ravichandran.geetha@gmail.com)

Geetha Ravichandran

Former bureaucrat and author, most recently, of The Spell of the Rain Tree

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
   • Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
   • Indicator 8.4.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.
• Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
• Indicator 8.4.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

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Source: newindianexpress.com

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