SUSTAINABLY CHIC

As the third-largest contributor to global textile waste, India's textile sector is facing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices. In response, both retailers and manufacturing units are embracing innovative strategies

- ASTHA ORIEL

MILLENNIALS AND GEN Zers are tied to trending fashion. For them, fashion is a lifestyle, and it better be fresh and fast. “Latest trend” has become the holy grail, pushing brands to design and deliver at breakneck speed. However, there is a cost in keeping up with trends. According to a McKinsey report, global apparel consumption is set to reach 102 million tonnes by 2030, driven largely by fast fashion and obsession with the latest trends. Sayooj Thekkevariath, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY India, says demand for cheap, trendy clothing drives high volume, low-margin manufacturing that undermines environmental and social sustainability.

Nonetheless, the textile industry, both globally and at home, is facing a mounting pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices that reduce the environmental impact while fostering growth.

THE TRUE COST

A 2015 documentary, The True Cost, reveals that mass production of cheap garments leads to water pollution, excessive textile waste and use of harmful chemicals, particularly in developing countries such as India and Bangladesh.

A UNDP report says that every year 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally. While production doubled from 2000 to 2015, the duration of garment use decreased by 36%. An estimated 17% textile waste ends up in landfills; the industry contributes 8-10% to the total greenhouse gas emissions.

India is the sixth-largest textile exporter. The sector contributes 2.3% to GDP, 13% to industrial production and 12% to exports. The domestic textile industry accounts for a 4.5% share of global trade, with the US and the EU accounting for 47% of India’s textile and apparel imports. Approximately 7.8 million tonnes or 8.5% of global textile waste is accumulated in India every year, according to a report by IDH and Sattva Consulting.