WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY: THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE TEXTILE REUSE IN NGOS

Abstract

Globally, the fashion industry annually generates more than 92 million tons of textile waste; the amount is driven mostly by the fast fashion production model, characterized by overproduction and overconsumption, being one of the biggest responsibles for water contamination, CO₂ emissions, and other environmental problems. The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work with textile waste have been playing an important role in the reduction of these problems and in the improvement of environmental awareness. However, this role is still not well documented in the scientific literature. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the environmental benefits brought by NGOs that work with textile waste. This research applied a multiple case study methodology in two NGOs that work with textile waste in the city of São Paulo. Three surveys were developed and applied, one for each public: the beneficiaries, employees/staff, and Leaders of each NGO. The reduction of the carbon footprint and water usage that the reuse os textile waste made possible. The data confirm the textile waste reuse as an essential strategy for the reduction of the ecological footprint, preserving resources, and reducing emissions.