How many of us can claim that we have never bought something, only to realise we have made a bad choice and never worn that item ever. It has been hidden at the back of our wardrobe and comes out a guilty reminder, a few years later, still with labels attached.

It is estimated that more than one million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year in the UK alone, creating more and more landfills. In India, our traditional culture does not support such wastefulness, but consumerism related to clothes is very high in the urban areas - and the throw away habit is bound to follow.

What happens to textile waste?

When you throw biodegradable material into the landfill (such as cotton and wool in the case of clothing), they are unable to rot due to lack of oxygen and light. So, they remain there producing methane instead.

Landfill sites pose a threat to local ground water supplies. Every time it rains, water drains through all the rubbish, and picks up chemicals and hazardous materials from whatever is in the landfill site. This includes chemicals used in clothing and textiles such as dyes and bleaches. The water collects at the bottom of the landfill, often in large amounts and can be up to 200 times as toxic as raw sewage.

Transforming Waste - the concept of ‘Jugaad’

How does fabric used in one form take on another form - for instance - from a sari to a skirt or a curtain? What can be done with waste in the form of fabrics termed as outdated, old and is usually tossed out?

“New-Improved” is a brand that aims at changing our rigid ideas about fashion, consumerism, and reusability. Apart from making new from old through designer bags, accessories, home furnishings and clothing, the brand also offers customized products for people who are interested in restoring their old clothes which they are attached for whatever reason.

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