Kota Kinabalu: New Zealand environmental advocate Sylvia Heywood urged communities to rethink how they buy and throw away clothing, as the global clothing industry generates 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year.
“When we talk about global climate issues, we often think about energy or transport. But what we wear every day is also part of the story,” said Sylvia, who was among the plenary speakers at the Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Conference of Clubs held here, recently.
“The environmental cost is high and alarming. The production of cheap garments often involves the use of toxic chemicals, excessive water consumption and the generation of substantial waste,” she added.
Sylvia, who is affiliated with Soroptimist International North Shore in New Zealand, said the industry had created a throwaway clothing culture.
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