Apparel Industry Sustainability Action 2022-23 has been launched by India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council with an aim to encourage textile companies which are working with sustainability. The country’s textile & apparel industry can reduce its footprint on environment and can bring economic viability through sustainability of its processes.

The initiative aims at evaluating the existing status of Indian garment industry, encourage wider penetration of these measures amongst the MSMEs, hand holding these units with demonstrations and solutions, enhance the brand visibility of sustainable companies on global platform, and brainstorm necessary policy focus towards wider and smooth adoption of sustainability measures amongst Indian garment units.

AEPC will encourage sustainable companies which will be showcased on the dedicated sustainability social media platform for wide publicity and will finally culminate as Sustainability Awards. The Award-winning Indian companies will finally get an opportunity to showcase their collection in specially curated ‘Sustainability Corner’ of India Pavilion in 2023 Pure London, UK and Who’s Next, Paris, the world’s biggest fashion hub.

The textile industry is one of the major polluting industries, accounting for 4% of greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of industrial water pollution globally. It is estimated that about 50% of the fabric is wasted during the manufacturing process and the fast fashion trends leads to 81% of all manufactured garments getting dumped as landfills either due to short life cycle after consumer use or due to excess stock. “This problem not only concerns the environment but also represents missed economic opportunities. Experts advocate that sustainability and circularity can not only reduce footprint on our environment but also can bring economic viability,” AEPC said.

Narendra Goenka, chairman, AEPC, said that the textile companies have to comply with the provisions of sustainability to pursue their business.