Textile Insight

TEXTILE TALK | EMILY WALZER hese days there is little escape from environmental concern. The west is under siege from wildfires, hurricanes are pummeling southern states, water levels are rising at an unprecedented rate on the eastern shoreline and, oh yeah, the cloud of Covid continues to hang over the country. The textile world has its share of ecological woes as well. Consider for example: The global material footprint rose from 43 billion metric tons in 1990 to 54 billion in 2000, and 92 billion in 2017 — an increase of 70 percent since 2000, and 113 percent since 1990 — and is projected to grow to 190 billion metric tons by 2060. According to McKinsey's latest Fashion Climate Change report, of the 110 billion garments made in the world, 60 percent will go to landfill. In the U.S. there is $5B worth of unsold inventory and 50 percent of all textiles go to waste. Ordinarily, 25-60 percent of the leather produced in the tanning process winds up on the cutting room floor because of defects and the limited dimensions of tanned hides. That means an estimated 3.5 billion pounds of leather scraps get sent to landfills or incinerators every year. One garbage truck load of textiles is burned or landfilled every second. Annual estimates of plastic microfiber pollution is equivalent to more than 50 billion plastic bottles These stats represent takeaways from stories that fill the pages of this issue of Textile Insight. If there is ever a moment to embrace responsible consumption and production, it is right now. And I'm happy to report that the textile community gets it. What shines brightest is a call to action around circularity. Every industry exec I interviewed for this issue mentioned the need to convert from linear to circular models, and expressed implementation of new technologies, conservation efforts and outreach campaigns to advance climate-positive change. Consumers are recognizing they have an eco- responsible role to play as well. In our Trend Insight survey (pages 30/31) participants rate eco-materials "Very Important" in buying decisions of both apparel and footwear and say they are willing to pay more for eco- friendly products. I, too, am doing my part. My car is loaded full up with boxes destined for Goodwill Donation and local thrift shop drop-off; hopeful that my worn jeans will find a renewed use, as textiles nowadays go 'round and 'round in circular fashion. Cheers, What Goes Around Comes Around: Circularity Takes Shape 4 • Textile Insight ~ September/October 2020 textileinsight.com T If there is ever a moment to embrace responsible consumption and production it is now. T e x t i l e - B a s e d P r o d u c t S o l u t i o n s conceptiii.com proud partner of As uncertain as these times are, we want to assure you we're standing with you, sourcing and developing the sustainable textile innovations you demand. The world has changed. Our commitment to you hasn't.

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