Latest news with #CircularApparelInnovationFactory
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
H&M Foundation-backed Circularity Initiative Expands in India
In 2021, a small pilot project called Saamuhika Shakti launched in Bengaluru, India, with the goal of reducing the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills while also empowering workers handling that waste. Since then, the initiative has grown exponentially, and now it's being replicated and implemented in 12 additional Indian cities. Funded by the H&M Foundation, Saamuhika Shakti employs informal waste workers to collect and sort discarded clothing in 16 neighborhood sorting centers that feed diverted garments to a central textile recovery facility. Developed by the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory and implemented by waste picker advocacy organization Hasiru Dala, the project aims to divert 800,000 kilograms of post-consumer textile waste and support 500 waste picker livelihoods by 2026. More from Sourcing Journal Walmart Plans to Bring 100K New Indian Small Businesses Online Iskur Denim Joins Denim Deal Circulose and Mango Team Up to Scale Circular Cellulose So far, Saamuhika Shakti has achieved 55 percent of its waste diversion target and supported more than 400 waste pickers. Part of that success lies in the collaborative design of the project, where municipal authorities, NGOs and waste picker collectives jointly set the terms, ensuring shared ownership and long-term viability. 'What makes this model so powerful is that it's not a top-down solution—it has been co-created with waste pickers, who know the problem best,' said Maria Bystedt, program director at H&M Foundation. 'It proves that circularity isn't just about materials or recycling tech—it's about how we design systems that are inclusive, effective and climate-resilient.' Textile waste is a huge problem in India. The country accounts for 8.5 percent of global textile waste or 7793 ktons, according to Fashion for Good. That waste can be broken into three categories: domestic post-consumer (51 percent), pre-consumer (42 percent) and imported post-consumer (7 percent). According to Hasiru Dala, India's waste management is made up of two primary systems—formal and informal. The informal system is completely managed by waste pickers, waste sorters and waste traders, who comb landfills and other waste collection facilities for recyclable materials. Waste pickers often are women and children, and particularly in landfills, they work in extremely difficult conditions due to the elements and risk of contamination from garbage and make very little money. Saamuhika Shakti aims to change that by empowering those waste pickers to improve their working conditions while also raising their profile as essential components of a circular economy. The Saamuhika Shakti project has received more than $20 million in funding from the H&M Foundation in two phases. Along with the foundation, the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory and Hasiru Dala, the initiative has received additional support from Bal Raksha Bharat, BBC Media Action, Sambhav Foundation, Sattva Consulting, Social Alpha, Sparsha Trust, Udhyam Learning Foundation and WaterAid India. Bystedt said that the key to Saamuhika Shakti's success lies in the workers who've been given agency through the project to improve their work conditions and economic standing. 'We're seeing that when waste pickers are recognized as essential climate actors, cities can build solutions that scale and inspire new models of inclusive circularity globally,' she said.
Fibre2Fashion
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Karur textile cluster to deepen focus on sustainability & circularity
A crucial awareness workshop on 'Advancing Sustainability & Circularity in Karur Textile Cluster' was organised in the Karur textile cluster last week. The event brought together local manufacturers, exporters, industry associations, and government officials to discuss and commit to greener practices. Major programmes aimed at promoting sustainability and circularity will support the industry in adopting environmentally friendly production methods. Eminent speakers from the government and industry set the context for the workshop discussions. P Gopalakrishnan, president of Karur Textile Manufacturers Exporters Association (KTMEA), in his inaugural address, emphasised the need for sustainable growth, staying updated with the latest national and international developments, and showcasing the strength and potential of the Karur cluster. An awareness workshop on 'Advancing Sustainability & Circularity in Karur Textile Cluster' gathered manufacturers, exporters, and officials to promote eco-friendly practices. Industry leaders and experts shared sustainable initiatives and global trends. Programmes by CRB, Intellecap, and InTex India aim to support SMEs in adopting circular models. M Prabhu, chairman of CII - Karur District, delivered an industry address reaffirming CII-Karur's vision and commitment, and shared good practices from other sectors that could be adapted by the textile industry. R Kaliyappan, president of the Karur Handloom Export Cloth Manufacturers Association (KHEXMASS), highlighted the spirit of sustainability and the responsibility to leave a cleaner, greener planet for future generations. M Palanivel Rajan, chief operating officer of Asian Fabricx Private Limited, shared information about the progressive practices at Asian Fabricx and also highlighted sustainable initiatives undertaken by the Karur cluster. S Periasamy, a senior textile expert and sustainability advisor to the Tiruppur Exporters Association, addressed the workshop on 'Global Trends and the Relevance of Sustainability & Opportunities for SMEs'. Key programmes were also discussed, with relevant information shared with industry participants. Dr. Prabhat Bhuddha Dev from CRB and Siddharth Lulla from Intellecap presented their initiatives and invited SMEs to actively participate. InTex India has initiated a project for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Karur cluster, which will provide hands-on support for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to at least 15 SMEs. The programme will also engage key stakeholders in developing and implementing a vision for a sustainable and circular textile cluster in Karur. Intellecap, through its Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) initiative, is implementing the programme 'Catalyzing the Green Transition of India's Textile & Apparel Value Chain', with support from the European Union under its Switch Asia Initiative. This 42-month initiative focuses on reducing environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions across 250–400 SMEs in key clusters of India's textile and apparel value chain. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
