Textile Recycling Startup vs. Fast Fashion Trends in Indonesia
The Fast Fashion Trends
In the 90s, the fashion trends were based on the four seasons in a year. We wore clothes that best fit the current season (summer, fall, winter, and spring). Nowadays, the fashion trend is transitioning faster than ever. The fashion trends can change up to 50 times in a year. This is because of the fast-fashion culture. Fast fashion is the trend of manufacturing and marketing high-volume clothing items. Fast fashion brands usually produce clothing that mimics the current trend and sell it at a low price. Because of its low cost and appealing design, the fast fashion industry drives an overwhelming consumption.
The Downside of Fast Fashion Trends
Do you know that the textile industry generates more emissions than international flights and maritime shipping? Unfortunately, the fast fashion trend comes with a downside. Mass-produced clothes can lead to various environmental damage. According to Nature.com, the textile industry produces 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. We have seen the environmental impact of textile dumping around the world. If not appropriately managed, this trend will lead to a severe environmental impact.
Textile Recycling: Creating Circular Economy
The textile industry plays a pivotal role in the lives of society. Clothing is a primary need that one must fulfil. It is impossible to remove the textile industry altogether. However, there is a way to make it 'greener.' One of the most effective methods is textile recycling. Textile recycling is a method of reusing or reprocessing clothing waste or other fabric and turning it into new raw materials used for clothing. Textile recycling is one of the ways to implement a circular economy. A circular economy incentivizes businesses to reuse their product instead of dumping their waste and extracting new material from the earth. Rather than seeing a green company as the enemy of traditional companies, a circular economy is about making both sectors complement each other.
The Growth Textile Recycling Startup
In recent years, we have observed the growth of textile recycling startups in Indonesia. This is due to two main factors. First is the rise of consumer green awareness. According to Statista, in 2019, 82% of Indonesian respondents stated that nature & the environment are crucial in their daily life, and 72% also find it urgent to implement a zero-waste lifestyle. Another driving factor is the government's stance and regulation of plastic waste. The government has made an effort to be more environmentally friendly by banning plastic bag usage from July 2020.
The rise of environmental awareness in Indonesia has invited various textile recycling startups to step into the fashion industry. Their primary target market is the eco-conscious community that constantly grows over time. Usually, they profit from recycling used clothes, turning them into new ones, and then selling them via their online marketplace startup. Some notable textile recycling startups are Pable, Sejauh Mata Memandang, Zero Waste Indonesia, and Tokoencit. Textile recycling startups usually sell their products under their brand.
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