The Thai fashion industry is moving towards zero waste and becoming part of the circular economy, according to one industry leader who heads up a brand under the Saha Group.
At a press conference held on Friday to announce its A'MAZE GREEN SOCIETY project, Pravara Ekaraphanich, managing director of Boutique Newcity Public Co Ltd, advocated environmental concern as good for the country and Thai fashion.
"The transition [to the circular economy] is not only good for environmental protection and conservation, but also (for) increasing the company's global competitiveness in a fast-changing fashion industry," Ms Pravara said.
She said the project is in line with the government's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero by 2065.
The cloth-making industry wastes about 20% of its production fabric, which then ends up in landfills, she said.
To help lower this high proportion of thrown-away material, the company has joined hands with Laruk and The Packaging Company to turn that 20% into raw material suitable for producing wreath mats and eco-friendly bags.
"Waste from now on must not be waste, but a resource that must be recycled to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead to the process of using resources with value and efficiency," she said.
"This also helps increase the competitiveness of the Thai economy," she said, adding the project could reduce emissions by 300,000 equivalent carbon tonnes per year.