KTN Event: How To Make Fashion Sustainable

By Alex Assoune Nov 04, 2020

The Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is organizing an event on how to make fashion sustainable in October 2020. The event aims to discuss current work towards sustainable fashion within a circular economy framework.

Ever-changing societal, environmental, and economic challenges affect the whole world at the regional, national, and global levels. KTN aims to connect ideas, people, and communities to respond to these challenges and drive positive change through innovation.

KTN invites academics, industrialists, interested parties such as social enterprises and micro-businesses, and the general public to examine material and manufacturing challenges in making fashion sustainable.

The event day will be divided into two parts. National level activities will be discussed in the morning. Invited speakers will present their work and challenges related to fashion and textile waste in the afternoon.

Waste is one of the biggest challenges in the global fashion industry today. More than 110 million tons of apparel and textile waste are produced each year globally, according to the Discover Natural Fibers Initiative (DNFI).

The Global Fashion Agenda predicts that will discard more than 130 million tons of textiles by 2030.

Currently, less than 1% of all textile waste is recycled into new clothes, as reported by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. More than USD 500 billion is lost due to a lack of reuse and recycling each year.

Since clothing consumption has doubled over the last 15 years and will increase five folds by 2050, it's time to take massive action to reduce pollution and waste.

Different scenarios will be presented by Leeds City Council, Leeds Clothing Community Exchange, Dr. Anne Velenturf, and others. They intend to encourage participation in examining the issues, thinking about the root causes and so defining the problems.

Some of the invited speakers at the event are:

Dr. Veronica Sanchez-Romaguera, KTN
Dr. Caroline Chibelushi, KTN
Dr. Anne Velenturf, University of Leeds
Prof. Chris Carr, University of Leeds
Rob Webbon, Prescateamwear
Dr. Pammi Sinha, University of Leeds

Some of the issues that will be discussed are:

Zero Waste Fashion
Sportswear Recycling
Colorants and Finishes
Circular Economy for Textiles
Artificial Intelligence
Research and Innovation

The event will take place online on Friday, October 2nd, 2020.

Register for the event here.

About KTN:

The Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is an organization based in the United Kingdom funded by Innovate UK and bringing together businesses, academics, government agencies, and research organizations to promote knowledge transfer and to develop better links between business, science, and creativity.

The network’s main objectives are to increase business-led research and development in the United Kingdom. It also strives to facilitate the exploitation of R&D to help the UK capture more value from innovation.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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