Al Amin :
The entrepreneurs of the country’s apparel industry are shifting to “Circular Economy” (CE) from the existing linear model in order to ensure maximum use of raw materials.
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.
The principle of CE is to keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural system. According to a research conducted by McKinsey and Co, a broader adoption of CE in the fashion industry would reduce the Carbon emission of the industry by 10 pc!
Waste in the fashion industry would be either the pre-consumer waste popularly known as “Jhut” or the post consumer waste of the product itself. Both the pre and post consumer waste can be recycled with the basic fibre and used again. Bangladesh RMG industry uses mostly cotton fibre which is most recyclable waste. Every year around 400,000 tonnes of cotton waste being generated of which only 5 pc are being recycled locally. Waste worth 84.07 million $ been exported to recyclers of India, Sweden and different countries from Bangladesh, according to EPB data.
In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible. These can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value.
This is a departure from the traditional, linear economic model based on a take-make-consume-throw away pattern. This model relies on large quantities of cheap, easily accessible materials and energy. The RMG sector is going to undertake new action plans to implement the economic model in the sector, though the plans are yet to be announced officially. However, many entrepreneurs have already initiated to implement the model individually, the industry insiders said.
Under the global initiative named “CFP: Circular Fashion Partnership” jointly implemented by Global Fashion Agenda, BGMEA and Reverse Resources the initiative currently recycling over 7000 kg/month per factory pre-consumer waste from a few factories. Already around 80 manufacturers have joined the initiative while along with some globally reputed brands like HnM, Bestseller etc.
It targets how products are designed, promotes circular economy processes, encourages sustainable consumption, and aims to ensure that waste is prevented and the resources used are kept in the country’s economy for as long as possible.
“Apart from the plan, the industry has already started to make different kinds of thick cotton including 16 count cottons from the RMG wastage by setting up jhoot boilers. Around 10 per cent spinning mills are using the boiler machines in the country,” said Mohammad Hatem, Senior Vice-President of the BKMEA.
Globally demand for sustainable apparel products are increasing and Circular economy is the future we cannot simply stay indifferent but to embrace it, But we need a congenial policy atmosphere to tap in the opportunity of circular fashion industry , said Mohiuddin Rubel, Director of the BGMEA.
Dr Zahid Hossain, former Lead Economist of the World Bank Dhaka office, told The New Nation “World’s population is growing with the demand for raw materials. However, the supply of crucial raw materials is limited. So, it is high time to think about the circular economy model.”
“In some cases, the model is being implemented, but not sufficient enough. It must be accelerated immediately,” he added.
About implementation of the model in the country’s garment sector, which is mostly dependent on imported raw materials, Dr Zahid said, “Government can declare incentives for making cotton from the garment wastages.”
“It will also ensure maximum use of wastage to reduce dependency on imported raw materials,” he said.
Bangladesh is dependent on other countries for its raw materials. In addition, extracting and using raw materials have a major impact on the environment.
