The textile sector is one of the oldest industries on the planet and it is growing rapidly to meet the needs of people of all ages. Presently, the biggest challenge faced by the textile industry is sustainability and some industry representatives are stressing on the importance of environmental protection in the sector.
Speaking to fibre2fashion, Ms. Sharon Rowe, CEO and founder of Eco-Bags, a manufacturer of reusable eco-friendly cotton net bag, said, “Transparency is the key to sustainability.”
“Allowing the customers to see who is making the goods, how they are being compensated, the environmental conditions and the third party certifications are becoming more and more important in sustainable textile production,” she adds.
Elaborating about the importance of textile production, Dr. Tim Swales, vice-president, research & development and chief sustainability officer for Johns Manville (JM), Manufacturer of technical textile, says, “The biggest issue facing the global textile industry is water usage and pollution, particularly in raw material processing areas such as dyeing and printing.”
“The next biggest issue faced by the textile sector is landfill use – the need to recycle/reuse/repurpose at end of life will continue to grow,” he informs.
According to him, the technologies exist globally to address the issues of water and landfill. “The industry and individual countries must take it seriously and it is up to them to make sure their manufacturers address these issues in a timely manner,” he continues.
“However, if you look more broadly at sustainability the social impact of appalling employee conditions, especially in the garment industry, must also be addressed,” he mentions.
In a similar vein, Ms. Rowe says, “The textile manufacturers must focus on environmental protection while producing textiles and clothing.”
