Pollution is today’s biggest topic; everyone knows pollution’s effects and wants it to be reduced to a minimum. One of the most polluting industries in the world is textile manufacturing. The process of manufacturing clothing is a lengthy one. The disposing of waste also is a matter of concern. Some of the negative parts are high energy consumption, high amount of water usage and huge quantity of polluted water discharged, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The textile products made today are mainly made from polyester, acrylic and polyamide which are made from petrochemicals or petrochemicals extraction. Only some portions are made from real cotton. The release of CO2 is much higher than we think in all of these processes. While we have also started to include more of chemical synthetic dyes, the emissions have increased because of the use of technology like wet treatment, also the finishing of Jeans produces CO2 in amounts which are incomparable.
We can divide the waste into two types:
- Pre-Consumer waste: The waste that is already produced during the making of the products. In short, they can also be called industrial waste.
- Post-Consumer waste: The things or products that are disposed of once it’s use is served are post-consumer waste, they are mostly created by households and also not disposed of properly.
Why should we focus on recycling & and reusing textiles:
- These wastes are valuable, they can be reused easily.
- Resources are scarce and hence they need to be conserved.
- Lowering our carbon footprint is our duty and we must take measures in lowering the emissions.
- Fostering a more sustainable society where people feel responsible for protecting the environment.
Some possible solutions to reduce the waste:
| While Manufacturing | Rethink | Produce reusable & recyclable products.Increase the quality of the product.Use renewable resources. |
| Reduce | Reduce energy consumption.Adapt methods which are sustainable to manufacture. | |
| Consumption | Rethink | Buy for the long term.Multipurpose buying.Maintain products and use them for a long term.Support sustainable products and |
| Reuse | Donate to charitiesSwapRent when necessary | |
| Post – consumption | Recycle | Fiber recycling is possible in today’s world.Fabric recycling after considerable usage. |
| Repair | Restitch, repair and use or sell it at low price. |
Applications of recycled textile waste in different industries:
