Recycling textile waste can help boost economy: Mian Kashif

LAHORE, Mar 20 (APP):Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq said here Friday Pakistan has significant potential to achieve sustainable social and economic development in the 21st century by recycling textile waste that saves whopping quantum of water.
Talking to a delegation of exporters led by Ahmad Nisar Gujjar, he said, though challenges ahead for Pakistan are complex such as climate change, rapid population growth, resource shortages, inadequate job creation and rising poverty, Pakistan, in a decade, can be among the top five countries exporting circular, sustainable textiles made from recycled waste textiles. That would be a much-needed step to combat poverty, reduce textile waste, and preserve the country’s land, water and electricity resources. Mian Kashif said, Pakistan has the potential to eliminate textile waste and transform it into creative products. European Union (EU) had exported 100,000 pairs of used jeans valued at USD 46 million to Pakistan in 2021 which were recycled and exported from Karachi.He said Pakistan generates approximately 270,125.34 metric tons of textile waste annually, he cited.
There is a dire need to impose a strict ban on textile dumping in the country. Simultaneously, it is crucial for the government to mature the textile recycling industry and employ women and girls in this sector to transform waste textiles into meaningful and creative products.
He said, even brand handbags are made from waste fabrics and leather which is an excellent example of women empowerment, entrepreneurship and transformation of textile waste into practical meaningful products.