Swiscot Group’s Post

Despite lessons learned from the shrunken water level of the Aral Sea and advances in legislation promoting sustainability and circularity, many textile companies remain reluctant to take crucial steps in improving the environmental impact of their business. This makes sense, as companies struggle with which first or second steps to take without losing their business. Circular Textile Days aims for positivity, yet it is essential to reflect on the global environmental issues that affect us all. The story of the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world (twice the size of Belgium), has shrunk dramatically as a direct result of cotton farming. This shows the profound effects of industrial activities on the environment. This story should wake up the textile industry (once more) and encourage more sustainable practices. It emphasises the importance of responsible choices, as does Circular Textile Days' commitment to circularity. We invite the textile industry to collaborate for a better future for our planet. Let us work together towards a more sustainable textile industry and find new business models that offer responsible future textiles, for ourselves and for our environment. It is time to move beyond dialogue. That is what we are doing at the Circular Textile Days 🌏💚

A Wake-Up Call in the Woods: Confronting Our Throwaway Culture for a Sustainable Future Yesterday, my family and I were enjoying a walk in the forest, admiring the stunning views over the fields. Amidst this natural beauty, we encountered something that starkly contrasted with the serene landscape: an unsettling sight made of old clothes and discarded plastic parts left behind. This jarring element amidst the beauty made me reflect on the importance of preserving nature and considering the impact of our actions on the future. I have recently seen a post about this: In Switzerland, every person throws away about 700 kg of stuff every year. That's a lot more than in other places in Europe. If everyone in the world did that, we would need almost three more Earths to deal with all the trash! According to this post.   Working in the textile industry and developing machines, I follow this closely. Less than 1% of old clothes are made into new ones. People say we need to get better at recycling—aiming for between 50% and 80% of what we use by the year 2030. It's a big challenge for the next years.   So, who's going to help solve this big problem? It's very important for companies to find new ways to recycle more.   Also, it's crucial for us, especially the younger people, to learn again how to use less, generate less waste, and recycle more. Teaching ourselves and others how not to waste things is a big step in making sure we leave a healthy planet for the people who come after us. #SustainabilityInAction #CircularEconomy #GreenInnovation #FutureLeaders #EnvironmentalImpact #IndustryChange

Sustainability: Practical or not? At Ipsos, we delved into the practicality of sustainable living for consumers. Our recent findings unveil the ongoing tug-of-war many consumers experience between what's practical and what's not... No judgment, just good vibes here! Sharing a snippet of my eco-journey: I consider myself as an environmentalist, but there are those forgetful moments when my tote bag plays hide-and-seek during grocery runs, and a plastic one steps in. The guilt kicks in, leading to a valiant effort to reuse those bags, but truth be told, they still end up in the recycling bin. Any fellow forgetful eco-warriors out there? What do you think are the biggest hurdles we face in the sustainability game. I'm thinking: 1. Lack of awareness: Did you know only 9% of the plastic we toss in the recycling bin actually gets recycled? (Thanks to Grove Collaborative Ad), while other sustainability claims on pack keep us confused... 2. Behavioural Change: While I'm wrestling with my recycling habits, are we all ready to embrace plant-based meals, install water-saving fixtures, and choose public transport over cars for short jaunts? I'm all ears! What hurdles do you see on the path to sustainable living? 🌱 #SustainabilityJourney #ipsos https://lnkd.in/ef56BHFk

🌱 Embracing Sustainability: Giving New Life to Second-Hand Clothes ♻️ Great initiative by German Government 👏🏻. In today's world, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a way of life. This image captures a simple yet powerful concept: a bin designated for second-hand clothes, waiting to be collected and recycled by the government. By choosing to recycle our clothes, we're taking a step towards reducing waste and supporting a circular economy. Each garment thrown into this bin represents a chance for renewal, where old items can be transformed into something new rather than ending up in a landfill. Let's continue to embrace sustainable practices like this, fostering a cleaner and greener future for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference. ♻️💚 #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ReduceReuseRecycle #GreenFuture

45% of GHGs can only be tackled by changing what we make, sell and use. The circular economy is our secret weapon in tackling climate change. ♻️ We're working with major game changers to empower millions of consumers to make circular choices. Each year at least 1.3 billion metric tons of food is wasted globally. 🍌 We work with over a thousand businesses, governments and partners around the world to transform the global food system by shifting business practices and consumer behaviour. The world produces 141 million metric tons of plastic packaging a year. 🥤 We manage the global network of Plastic Pacts, which cover 1/3 of the world's coastline, together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 93 billion cubic meters of water is used by the textiles industry every year. 👕 We bring together key players across the fashion value chain to extend the life of clothes and promote sustainable material production. Discover more about our work to tackle unsustainable production, consumption and waste: https://wrap.ngo/americas/ #WRAPAmericas

Since we’re trying to make sustainability a little less jargon filled at Calibrate, we wanted to introduce you to a term that gets banded about a lot - circular economy! So, what does it mean in simple terms? In a circular economy, things are made and used in a way that minimises the use of the world’s resources, reduces waste and carbon emissions. This promotes a sustainable use of natural resources. This can be done through better product design, products that last longer and recycling. 🍃 🌎 ♻️ Currently our economy is a linear one, meaning we extract raw materials from nature, create products and then throw them away as waste. An analogy would be getting a white cotton t-shirt from a fast fashion brand, and a brand with sustainability and longevity in mind. Both are the ‘same’ item, but one has been created to last, rather than be thrown the next month. One is better for the environment in the way they are produced, and one will be easily recycled into another item, or be quality enough to be donated to a charity shop for someone else to use. If we all move towards a circular economy, there will be far less strain on the earth, and net zero would be achievable far quicker. #circulareconomy #lineareconomy #sustainability #heatpump #environmentallyfriendly

On World #EarthDay 2024, the textile industry faces an ongoing challenge: #PlanetvsPlastics.   The textile industry must commit to the reduction of plastic usage in order to combat the climate emergency. Embracing sustainable alternatives and innovative technologies, such as bio-based materials and recycled fibres, becomes imperative. Collaboration across the supply chain, from manufacturers to consumers, is essential in fostering a culture of responsible consumption and production. By adopting eco-friendly practices and embracing circularity, the textile industry can play a significant role in mitigating plastic pollution and preserving our planet for future generations.   We must work together for a greener, plastic-conscious future on #EarthDay and beyond. Read our recently published handpicked articles that support this important cause. https://lnkd.in/eDvfABCc https://lnkd.in/eBQHMeyq https://lnkd.in/eTNAChP3 https://lnkd.in/eXHQycV7

A great post by Nupur Saxena highlighting some alarming consumer and retail statistics on #EarthDay. The FMCG & Retail industry produce 36% of the 400m tonnes of plastic produced each year and by 2050 our oceans will have more plastic in them than fish... If only more businesses were doing more to address the issues. See below. #planetversusplastic #consumer #retail #sustainabilityinbusiness 🌍

🌿 Embrace Sustainability with Us! 🌏✨ At A Fitting Connection, we're flipping the script on textile production. Why choose products made from waste over virgin materials? Let us break it down for you: 1️⃣ Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: 🌍 Opt for eco-friendly solutions! By using materials derived from waste, you contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help combat climate change. 2️⃣ Embrace Circular economy: 🔄 Say no to the linear economy! Our textile-based products are part of the circular economy movement, promoting the reuse and recycling of materials, minimising waste in the process. Our laundry duffle bags for @highendhammys are a prime example. Crafted from reclaimed textiles, they embody the principles of reusing, reducing, and recycling. 3️⃣ Good for Business, Great for the Planet: 🌐 Show your customers you care! Collaborating with us as a certified social enterprise isn't just a great business move; it's a statement of environmental responsibility. Customers love businesses that make a positive impact on the planet. 🌿💚 4️⃣ Stand Out in the Market: 🌟 Differentiate your brand! In a world where consumers increasingly value sustainability, offering products made from waste sets you apart from competitors and positions your business as a leader in conscious consumerism. 5️⃣ Support Innovation: 💡 Join the revolution! By choosing recycled materials, you support innovation in the textile industry, encouraging the development of new technologies that pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible future. 6️⃣ Customise Your Story: 📖 Tell a compelling tale! Every product crafted from waste has a unique story. Share this narrative with your customers, creating a connection that goes beyond a mere transaction and resonates with their values. Let's work together to weave a fabric of change! 🧵💚 Contact us today to embark on a journey towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. 🌱✨ #SustainableBusiness #TextilesFromWaste #GreenFuture #EcoFriendlyFashion #CircularEconomy #ChooseSustainability

#Sustainable #plastic #waste #recycling #initiatives: Women and youth empowerment. Every time I hear inspiring stories of women winning and transforming the communities around them, I get overly excited. I strongly advocate for women and youth empowerment and seeing women rise and bring on board sustainable solutions that positively impact local communities as they gear towards sustainable development gives so much hope. This is the story of Rajiben Vankar, left a young widow with 3 children. She became an artisan so she could provide for her children. She turns plastic waste into bags and accessories. She has upcycled more than 3 MILLION single use plastics waste, and has provided employment to more that 75 WOMEN from 18 VILLAGES. What a story! Globally, more than 450 million tons of plastic waste is generated annually and less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled. Plastic waste recycling initiatives serve as a powerful catalyst for women and youth empowerment offering opportunities for economic empowerment and skill development. By engaging them in plastic waste recycling programs, they gain valuable training in waste management, recycling techniques, and entrepreneurship, empowering them to generate income and contribute to environmental sustainability. Through meaningful participation in the circular economy, women and youth emerge as agents of change, driving social progress and economic resilience in their societies. Follow Regina Wangare, let's keep practical sustainable programme/project initiatives conversations going. 💪 ❤️