IN a world captivated by fast fashion where trends shift overnight, the issue of textile waste remains hidden beneath the glossy storefronts and online sales. With an astounding 92 million tonnes of textile waste, and 215 trillion litres of water used in its production, the fashion industry has become one of the biggest contributors to environmental degradation.
Zero Waste Day 2025 urges the global community to take action under the theme “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles.” Governments, manufacturers, designers, retailers, and consumers must work together to adopt sustainable practices and eliminate waste in the fashion industry.
But are we doing enough to reduce the waste generated by textile production?
The global challenge
The fashion industry is complex, with each stakeholder contributing to the creation and disposal of textile waste. However, while efforts have been made, the pace of change is still not enough to combat the scale of the issue. The road to a sustainable fashion industry demands a concerted effort to reduce waste, minimise overproduction, and shift mindsets across the globe. Governments, businesses, and consumers must all rethink their roles in creating and solving the textile waste crisis.
Governments: striving for stronger regulations
Governments play a critical role in shaping the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Many countries have made some strides in regulating textile waste, but these efforts are often not enough to deal with the volume of waste produced.
Take China, for example.As the world’s largest apparel exporter, China produces an enormous amount of textile waste, which is not always efficiently managed. Despite large investments in renewable energy and eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, China still lacks a comprehensive national textile recycling infrastructure, and much of its waste ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Similarly, Bangladesh, while promoting green factory certifications and worker safety standards, still produces millions of tonnes of textile waste every year. The country’s waste management systems are underdeveloped, and much of the waste is improperly disposed of in rivers and poorly maintained landfills.
Even in India, where organic cotton farming and energy-efficient production methods are being promoted, textile waste recycling rates are dismal. Reports show that only 10% of textile waste in India is recycled. Despite advances in sustainable agriculture, poor waste management infrastructure continues to undermine efforts to tackle the issue at scale.
Governments need to implement stricter enforcement of regulations and create an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, holding manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products – especially post-consumer waste.
Policies that incentivise recycling, along with investments in waste management infrastructure, can play a significant role in reducing the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.
Manufacturers: innovation and accountability
Manufacturers are at the heart of the textile waste problem. While many companies have begun adopting sustainable materials and advanced technologies to minimise waste, the overall production of cheap, low-quality garments continues to overwhelm recycling efforts.
Despite claims of sustainability, fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M continue to produce massive quantities of clothing, much of which is discarded after a few uses.
Though these companies have introduced clothing recycling programmes and sustainable fabric ranges, they still prioritise cost-efficiency over sustainability, leading to overproduction and waste. This reflects a broader issue where greenwashing is rampant – companies claim to be eco-friendly while maintaining unsustainable production practices.
The solution lies in reducing waste at the source. Manufacturers must adopt circular design models that prioritise durability and recyclability. 3D printing, automated cutting machines, and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, lyocell, hemp, and recycled polyester can reduce reliance on virgin fibres and help manufacturers minimise textile waste.
Additionally, ethical labour practices must be a central part of this shift, as fair wages and safe working conditions contribute to a more responsible industry.
Retailers: embracing circular business models
Retailers are essential in shaping consumer behaviour, and many are now adopting circular economy models to reduce waste. These include take-back programmes, second-hand markets, and partnerships with recycling organisations.
However, overproduction remains a significant issue in retail. Brands like Nike, despite promoting recycling programmes and eco-friendly products, still face criticism for excessive stockpiling and overproduction. Unsold goods often end up in landfills, contributing to the waste crisis.
Retailers can use technologies like AI-driven demand predictions to better align production with actual consumer demand, preventing overproduction. They must also explore new sales models, such as subscription services or resale markets, that reduce reliance on traditional seasonal collections.
While the concept of second-hand shopping and clothing take-back schemes is gaining traction, these solutions remain secondary to the root problem of excessive production. Retailers need to fully embrace circularity – meaning rethinking how garments are produced, used, and disposed of – so that the entire life cycle of clothing can be managed sustainably.
Consumers: mindful choices and active participation
At the core of the fashion industry’s waste problem lies consumer behaviour. Overconsumption and a culture of disposability fuel the need for constant new trends. While many consumers are becoming more aware of the impact of fast fashion, many still struggle to break free from the cycle of low-cost, low-quality garments.
Even in places where public awareness campaigns, like Malaysia’s “Waste to Wealth” initiative, encourage recycling and responsible consumption, only a small portion of the population actively participates in textile recycling.
Consumers still dispose of clothing improperly or, in many cases, simply throw garments away without considering their environmental impact.
A significant cultural shift is needed. Consumers must prioritise quality over quantity, repair rather than discard, and support second-hand markets. Public education campaigns and incentives, such as tax breaks for recycling, can play a crucial role in promoting responsible consumer behaviour.
However, individual responsibility must be paired with systemic changes that reduce the availability of disposable fashion.
Malaysia’s efforts and global example
Malaysia, as part of its commitment to Zero Waste Day 2025, has begun to take significant steps toward tackling textile waste. In 2021, fabric waste in Malaysia accounted for 31% of total waste, with around 432,901 tonnes of textile waste generated annually.
Despite the challenges, Malaysia has introduced initiatives like textile recycling programmes through local authorities and private enterprises, along with eco-friendly manufacturing incentives for companies that adopt green production practices.
The rise of thrift stores and clothing swap events in Malaysia reflects a cultural shift toward reusing and repurposing garments, supported by campaigns aimed at increasing consumer awareness. Brands like Uniqlo also contribute by providing bins for customers to discard old clothes for recycling.
Yet, Malaysia must continue to expand these efforts, especially in rural areas, where recycling programmes are less common. Moreover, the country could take cues from global leaders like Sweden, which has introduced legislation requiring retailers to manage textile waste and recycle garments.
Malaysia could set a stronger example by enforcing similar laws and encouraging industry-wide transparency and responsibility.
A shared responsibility for a greener future
The journey towards zero waste in fashion requires collective action. Governments must create and enforce policies that incentivise sustainability. Manufacturers must innovate to reduce waste at the source. Designers need to prioritise circularity and longevity, while retailers must fully embrace circular business models. Consumers must adopt mindful purchasing habits and recycle textiles whenever possible.
Innovative solutions are already emerging, from food scrap-based textiles to virtual try-on technologies that reduce returns and waste. However, real change will only happen when stakeholders across the fashion supply chain recognise that they share a responsibility for the waste problem.
The fashion industry has the potential to evolve from a major polluter into a leader in sustainability, but that transformation requires systemic change, not just individual efforts.
As Zero Waste Day 2025 approaches, it serves as a reminder that each small step counts. By working together, we can pave the way for a cleaner, greener future – one garment at a time. – March 30, 2025
Ravindran Raman Kutty is a veteran PR Practitioner and community leader, and once served as general manager of communications for Alam Flora