Sustaining friendly fashion
However, the textile industry is also the second most polluting industry. It is responsible for over 20% of industrial water pollution and 4% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. An estimated 50% of the fabric is lost during the production process, and fast fashion trends cause 81% of total manufactured garments to wind up in landfills, primarily because they have a short lifespan after being worn by consumers or because there is an oversupply of inventory.
Given the importance of eco-friendly practices worldwide, especially amid fast-approaching climate-change targets, India’s textile and apparel industry can improve economic viability and lessen its environmental impact by using sustainable business practices.
Inculcating eco-friendly practices can help such businesses reduce the negative externalities of production, which means curbing away negative consequences that, although may not be measured concretely in financial terms, have a huge intrinsic cost to society. Additionally, embedding this strategy will also help companies ensure an optimal use of resources, including proper treatment of industrial waste and maximum utilization of raw materials.
Such sustainable transformation in fact presents a huge opportunity for businesses, individuals and the economy at large.
This macro-pdf series examines the feasibility of sustainability in India’s textile and apparel industry and what it holds from a People, Developmental, and Financial angle.
