Category: General
Country: India
Region: Asia
By Pratik Gadia -Founder & CEO, The Yarn Bazaar
First Published April 13, 2023, 10:03 PM IST
Voices, India, TOI.
India’s textile industry boasts a rich and ancient history, with the earliest known cotton threads dating back thousands of years. The industry played a central role in shaping the country’s identity abroad, with “India” once serving as shorthand for “cotton” in ancient Greece and Babylon, and the ancient Romans terming India’s finest cottons as ‘woven winds’ due to their airy lightness. Even today, the domestic textile industry continues to thrive due to high domestic and foreign demand. However, like any other thriving ecosystem, the textile industry has a downside in that it relies heavily on coal and natural gas for electricity and heat, contributing to its growing carbon footprint.
The global textile and garment industry is responsible for 6-8% of all carbon emissions, equivalent to 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The industry’s dyeing and treatment processes are also a significant contributor to industrial water pollution worldwide. Moreover, the heavy use of synthetic chemicals in the production of textiles from raw materials poses a further environmental risk. Exacerbating the problem are the geographically long and complex supply chains involved in textile production. A typical supply chain incorporates growers and processors of raw fibres, yarns, and textiles, as well as weavers, knitters, dyers, finishers, product manufacturers, and distributors. Each step and stakeholder in the process significantly contributes to the industry’s overall carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.
This is precisely why the industry is in need of a radical sustainability-focused overhaul that will help meet present needs without causing harm to the environment and will enable future generations to meet their own needs in an environmentally conscious manner.
The Next Green Steps for the Textile Industry
The textile industry has a significant impact on the environment and addressing these impacts requires a range of strategies that promote sustainability throughout the supply chain. One such strategy is to improve resource efficiency by reducing water and energy use during production. This can be achieved through the use of innovative technologies, such as use of solar energy, closed-loop systems and waterless dyeing processes.
Another approach is to use sustainable raw materials, such as organic cotton and natural fibres like bamboo and hemp. These materials have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional materials and can help to reduce the industry’s reliance on non-renewable resources.
Reducing chemical use is another important strategy, as many chemicals used in textile production pose a danger to the environment Alternative processes and materials that do not require harmful chemicals, can help to reduce the industry’s environmental impact. For instance, natural dyeing methods have been used for centuries whereby dyes are extracted from vegetables, fruits, flowers, certain insects, and fish as a safer and sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes. Furthermore, oxygen-based bleaching methods that use hydrogen peroxide or ozone, and even bacteria dyeing methods are all modern sustainable options that reduce toxicity, save water, energy, and lessen the production of harmful chemicals.
Finally, promoting circular economy models can help to reduce waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible. This can involve designing products for reuse and recycling, as well as implementing closed-loop production systems that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. By implementing these strategies, the textile industry can reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Leveraging The Power Of Technology To Bring About Sustainable Practices
Technology and digitisation can also play a vital role in making the textile value chain more sustainable.
Blockchain technology can be used to enhance traceability, by tracking the origin and movement of textiles throughout the supply chain, increasing transparency and accountability. Virtual sampling allows designers to create and evaluate textile designs without the need for physical prototypes, further reducing waste.
Predictive maintenance using IoT-enabled machines and equipment can reduce downtime and energy consumption in textile manufacturing, while inventory management systems, such as RFID tags and automated barcode scanning, can help companies optimise their inventory and reduce waste.
Smart logistics can be used to optimise transportation routes and reduce the environmental impact of textile distribution. Additionally, virtual try-on technology can reduce textile waste by allowing customers to try on clothing without the need for physical samples, enabling more sustainable product development.
What Does A Sustainable Future In The Textile Industry Look Like And How Can It Help?
The green movement has the potential to transform the textile industry in several ways. Firstly, it can encourage sustainable production practices by promoting the use of organic and natural materials, reducing water and energy consumption, and minimising waste and pollution. Furthermore, it can promote the production and marketing of eco-friendly textile products made from sustainable materials.
Additionally, environmentally friendly practices can eventually raise awareness among consumers about the impact of textile production on the planet and encourage them to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. This can create a demand for eco-friendly textiles and incentivise manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices. For instance, several retailers have instituted innovative buy-back programs to incentivise customers to recycle their used garments. A notable example is H&M, which accepts all brands and conditions of textiles, including sheets, for resale, repurposing, or recycling. As a reward, customers are offered a discount on their subsequent purchases. These buy-back initiatives serve a dual purpose by not only promoting eco-consciousness among customers but also by curbing the alarming rise of textile waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that in 2017, a staggering 16.9 million tons of fabric and textile were generated and only 15.2% materials were recycled. Through buy-back programs, retailers can significantly reduce the amount of textile waste that ultimately ends up in landfills.
Lastly, it can support innovation and research in the textile industry to develop new and sustainable materials, technologies, and processes. Through these initiatives, the textile industry can reduce its environmental impact while still meeting the demands of consumers and promoting economic growth. A good example of this is the recent establishment of Asia’s first solar-powered textile mill in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district In 2018, the Union Ministry of Textiles introduced the Solar Energy Scheme for Powerlooms, which provided capital subsidies to powerloom units to set up solar power plants, thereby addressing the issue of power shortages. This scheme has the potential to be a game-changer for the textile industry, as it promotes the use of clean energy sources in powering textile businesses.
In conclusion, the textile industry has a significant impact on our environment and society, and without sustainability being mainstreamed into the industry’s supply chain, it will be hard to achieve systemic change. Stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, government policy, and infrastructure support are crucial for achieving sustainability goals. All of this is achievable through the use of renewable energy sources, sustainable production and transportation processes, and the implementation of circular economy models, such as recycling, reuse, and resale initiatives. All we have to do is take a step forward so that we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.
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