ImagesMagUK_August_2021

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images AUGUST 2021 Report calls for ‘radical change’ for sustainability in textiles A new report calls for radical change in the textile industry, including garment decorating, setting out practices for improving sustainability to reduce damage to the planet Circular Textiles for a Sustainable Future was published in June by PCIAW, the trade body for the clothing supply chain, and Business in the Community (BITC). It serves as a guide for the government-backed Textiles 2030 initiative, which aims to massively cut textile waste. The report aims to educate manufacturers, suppliers, decorators, buyers and designers in the principles and practices of ‘circularity’ in textiles for workwear, including PPE and corporatewear. It details best practice in the disposal of textiles and looks at how circularity can be designed into the whole process of making, using and re-using textiles. Yvette Ashby, who is the CEO of PCIAW, commented: “We are proud to share this extensive first-of- its-kind report which educates the industry on the current and emerging textile recycling technologies, complete with case studies from world-leading professional clothing companies and universities.” For the full report, visit pciaw.org . imagesmag.uk/pciaw-recycle-report ECO INDUSTRY NEWS Green groups demand measures to tackle ‘fast fashion’ Green groups across Europe have united to demand measures to end fast fashion in the textile industry. Their demands include minimum standards for how long clothes should last, a ban on the destruction of unsold and returned goods, rules to verify and substantiate green claims, and ambitious targets for an absolute reduction in the amount of natural resources used across the supply chain They have issued the proposals through a report from the Wardrobe Change coalition, and are calling for the measures to be included in the EU’s upcoming textile legislation, which will affect any company selling garments into the EU as well as manufacturers in EU countries. The European Commission is currently gathering feedback with the aim of putting forward new measures by the end of the year. imagesmag.uk/wardrobe-change Inland Sea champions seaweed fibre for clothing An entrepreneur is launching 100% biodegradable clothing made from seaweed fibre, which he hopes to make available as blank garments for decorators. Adam Costello has unveiled a range of four T-shirts made of SeaCell – a patented fibre manufactured from bladderwrack seaweed – to sell with his own designs through his business, Inland Sea. However, he hopes that the seaweed fibre will appeal to other garment printers and retailers, leading to enough demand to make it cost-effective for him to supply blanks for their own designs. Adam became excited about the potential of seaweed after discovering it is a mass absorber of carbon dioxide. “It is one of the greenest materials ever made and is 100% biodegradable,” he declared. “By collaborating with retailers across the country, we can lead the way with sustainably-produced fashion.” imagesmag.uk/inland-seaweed Pin it... on the Images Pinterest boards: www.pinterest.co.uk/imagesmaguk The striking front cover image for the Circular Textiles for a Sustainable Future report is by Benjamin Von Wong Green groups are demanding more waste prevention and re-use of clothing Inland Sea’s new T-shirts are made of seaweed fibre