The Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF) has just launched Be The Change, an initiative comprising a fashion sustainability summit and various activations and workshops. Running till August 18, it aims to equip consumers and businesses with the knowledge and tools to reduce their environmental footprint.
The Enable The Change Fashion Sustainability Summit debuted at Hilton Singapore Orchard on July 6 with panel discussions on how businesses can work towards protecting the environment, during which TaFF also unveiled the first sustainability sector report focused on Singapore’s environmental impact.
Part of a detailed study commissioned by TaFF and conducted by global consulting firm PwC Singapore, the report found that the global fashion market is expected to grow at 6 per cent compound annual growth rate, with polyester and cotton as key categories implying high CO2 emissions footprint. It also found that while countries in the region are beginning to form national ambitions around sustainability, textile-specific regulations are very limited, which can be worrying because they account for some 30 per cent of the world's textile production.
Also, Singapore produced 182,000 tonnes of textile waste last year, 38 per cent more than in 2020, and recycled just four percent of the waste. If this inspires you to participate in the initiative, you can check out the Shop The Change retail activation at the Design Orchard Retail, which features products by local sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands including ChopValue, Dirty Manners, and Commenhers; and Singapore Airlines’ The Upcycling Project, which engaged local brands such as Supermama, Ipse Ipsa Ipsum and Photo Phactory to manufacture products using recycled aircraft parts.
There is also the Fashion The Change activation, which comprises an exhibition showcasing creations made from recovered and repurposed materials and that was also held on July 6; and the Take Back campaign, which encourages consumers to reuse and donate clothes and that will allow them an opportunity to easily do so on July 29. Have apparel you no longer have any use for? Drop them off at Design Orchard. The appropriate items will be donated to a charity that supports women in achieving economic independence while the rest will be donated to Dress for Success for research on innovation in textile recycling technology.
Find out more about the initiative here.
