The textile industry is one of the major industries of India. It
plays a vital role in the economic growth of the nation. It employs a
significant number of skilled & unskilled labour.
WHAT IS
THE PROBLEM?
The
chemicals & dyes used during manufacturing generate an enormous amount of
waste. The production requires gallons of water & tons of energy
consumption. Even the fertilizers used during the cultivation of raw materials
such as cotton pollute the land, water, soil & also the nearby habitat.
There are many aspects of the textile industry which has to be looked into,
such as
1. Use of
toxic chemicals
2. Pesticides
& other chemicals used in the production of raw materials.
3. Water
& Energy Consumption
4. Toxic
emissions & noise pollution
5. Treatment
of various discharge after production
6. Packaging
& Transportation
7. Waste
generated from discarded & faulty materials produced.
There
are various treatment techniques for the wastewater generated, but these
treatment plans are too expensive for an already cost heavy industry. But wait,
this isn't even the beginning of the problem.
The
textile industry has been a booming industry for ages, but The waste generated
from this industry was not a grave matter of concern. So what did change
overnight?
Our
Purchase decision.
"My
father used to take our entire family shopping once every year on the eve of
Durga puja. Our purchases were limited to 1 or 2 dresses per year.
Fast
forward to a 21-year-old me, who buys clothes almost every two months."
You will find numerous instances like this.
Some
reasons for these reckless decisions are the following:
1. Ease of
purchase: We can literally buy anything with a click of a button in our pyjamas
from the comfort of our home. Avoiding weird looks while you window shop is no
more a guilt today. Previously, visiting a shopping mall to shop with friends
and family was a Sunday special event. The preparation of which started the
previous day, deciding what to wear, catching the vehicle, visiting the mall
& then carrying heavy loads back home. But now, this isn't an issue at all.
2. Keeping
up the trend: There are new trends every week. We need new cloth just to shoot
a new reel. Content is the new gold. Markets have to change their clothing
section every week, rather than in seasons. The older trends go to garbage if
not sold.
3. Segregations
of garments: We have 'n' number of segregation of each type of clothing. In
pants, we have jeans, jeggings, leggings, hot pants and so on. Even in jeans,
we have different types of jeans such as ripped, skinny, the list is
endless.
4. The
reduced quality and lifespan of the product: In the era of trends, selfies and
what not; Our products are all designed to be short-lived, to survive till the
next trend of clothing surfaces. These garments are cheap. So common people are
not worried as they get to shop almost every month. So, Buy-Wear and Discard is
the mantra today.
5. Increase
in Choice: Not only style, but we also have colours and price range to look
into. Then comes brand value. In a nutshell; we have new garments to offer to
every single section of society. Now, the question is not whether to buy
traditional or modern clothing. Now, the question is Which traditional or which
modern to purchase?
6. Offers,
Discounts, coupons and whatnot: The marketing team of every company is
advanced. We have offers and discounts for both online and offline sale. When
no occasion; there will be a 'for no reason sale."
It is
not that we need new cloth, We purchase new cloth because we can afford them
plus we want a serotonin of likes on our pages. We, the consumers, demand and
thus we are served.
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