Making the fashion industry more sustainable S25 Ep31

The fashion industry has been revealed as a major source of waste especially those fabrics which contain a high proportion of synthetic and plastic compounds which take a very long time to degrade and leave a toxic legacy, often far from where they are manufactured or purchased. So called “Fast Fashion” is placing a huge burden on waste streams and the natural environment and while consumer behaviour needs significant education and changes there are excellent collaborations happening between designers and scientists to minimise impacts at all stages of the fashion life cycle. We have two guests on EarthChat for this topic. Firstly, Dr Christopher Hurren, Associate Professor in Fibre Science and Technology and a lead researcher with the Institute for Frontier Materials both based at Deakin University. He specialises in the development of new fabrics and the repurposing and recycling of textiles from a wide range of sources to conserve resources at both manufacture and end of life. Our second guest is Peter Allen, Executive Officer from the Refuture Foundation and partner with SRU Consulting.  Peter is an expert in reducing waste across a range of consumer products and packaging. His work with State governments and private industry has given him an excellent understanding of consumption, use, disposal and recycling patterns. Peter is going to discuss his recent travels to Ghana, Dubai and Copenhagen and the innovations he observed there. Listen in and learn about the true cost of our obsession with "fashion" and what can be done to reverse the tide. SOME LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION Deakin University Research Hub for Future Fibres–From Lab to Label TM https://futurefibreshub.com.au connects industry partners with advanced fibre research to solve real world problems.  Their focus is on sustainability, circular economics and extraordinary functionality. Institute for Frontier Materials https://ifm.deakin.edu.au, links world class materials science research to address challenges in energy, mining, defence, health, transport, textiles and manufacturing Samsara Eco https://www.samsaraeco.com– Infinite plastics and nylon recycling using enzymes to breakdown plastics and textiles into their original building blocks, allowing them to be manufactured into new products  - Eco nylon 6.6, Eco polyester, Eco PET. Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) www.rmit.edu.au – Shaping the future of fashion. RMIT Regnerative Futures Institute. Uluu - Materials that Revive Our World www.uluu.com.au Making biodegradable and biocompatible, lightweight, durable, climate positive fabrics.  These fabrics are the reducing ecological footprint of products and packaging by replacing plastic with materials that are beneficial for the world by being reusable, recyclable and compostable. Uluu uses farmed seaweed which is a totally renewable feedstock that can be make alternatives to plastic from fossil fuels, significantly reducing carbon emissions and providing sustainable jobs. Michell 1870 https://michellwool.com Australia oldest and largest exporter of Australian wool.  One of their major products is Eqwools https://eqwools.com – uses cheaper, shorter fibres with new production technology to maintain shrink-proof, machine washable wool, suitable for a wide variety of durable and recyclable fabrics that breakdown faster at end of life and can be used as a mix with cotton to make the fabric stronger and more comfortable to wear in all seasons. UNEP Global Plastics Treaty www.globalplasticstreaty.com – update on what the Treaty proposes and why it matters. Refuture Foundation Https://refuturefoundation.org Unlocking environmental and social benefits of the global second-hand clothing trade. Australian Fashion Council  https://ausfashioncouncil.com is the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry and they are supporters of Thread Together, a not for profit organisation which provides unsold new clothing to people in need while protecting the environment and saving clothing from landfill. Seamless Australia (www.seamless.com) supported by leading Australian brands (including Country Road, Rip Curl, David Jones, RM Williams, Sussan Group and Big W) and other members such as designers, recyclers and technology suppliers are addressing clothing waste by transforming the way we choose, enjoy and recycle clothing in Australia. 1.4 billion new garments were sold in Australia last year and 53 items is the average number of new garments, every Australian bought last year.  Most alarmingly 222,000 tonnes of clothing ended up in