The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says, to prevent a climate catastrophe, carbon consumption must be radically reduced worldwide. Therefore, industry, government and social enterprises in New Zealand have collaborated to launch the Textile Reuse Programme - an initiative to combat clothing consumption, waste and the subsequent climate impact.
Textile Reuse Programme figures reveal, clothing consumption has reached 100 billion units annually, with only one per cent of this being recycled. Also, along with the environmental implications of our throwaway culture, waste material represents a loss of $100 billion per annum. To address this mounting issue, the collaboration hopes to leverage the latest in disruptive technologies in order to gradually transition the wider industry into implementing more sustainable manufacturing and disposal methods.
Partners include: Alsco New Zealand, Wellington City Council, Wellington Zoo, Barkers Menswear and Fonterra. The initiative will be led by the sustainable textile R&D company, The Formary.
