Sustainable fashion: How Project Shilpkaar is working to reduce plastic waste

The biggest concern with plastic waste in India is not the amount of waste produced but ineffective waste management, such as improperly collecting and recycling waste.

Currently, the primary focus is collecting, managing, and properly disposing plastic waste. As we all know, the demand for new products and technology has grown over the last two decades, resulting in greater plastic consumption.

Who manages the majority of India’s plastic waste?

As per research, India’s plastic demand reached 20.89 million tonnes in 2021-22 and is projected to continue growing to 22 million tonnes by 2023, the responsibility lies on the industries to adopt circular economy principles, not only to minimize waste and pollution but also to open new opportunities for growth and innovation.

As many as 4,953 registered units are engaged with plastic in 30 States/Union territories in India, a report by CPCB said. The report added 823 unregistered plastic manufacturing/recycling units in nine states/UTs.

The informal sector handles 42-86 percent of waste, lacking basic disposal techniques. The informal sector diverts the majority of waste to landfills due to a lack of knowledge and technology-enabled machinery, and waste material collected by the informal sector is not channeled transparently.

The Indian government claims that 60% of the country’s plastic waste gets recycled. However, the reality is somewhat different, as India could only recycle 12% of its plastic waste, according to CSE statistics based on CPCB data.

Furthermore, 20% of plastic waste is diverted to co-incineration, plastic-to-fuel, and road construction, implying that 20% of our plastic waste gets burnt and 68% is unaccounted for.

Overusing plastic and neglecting disposal solutions for plastic over a long time led not only India but many other nations to adopt laws to limit plastic because of its increasing environmental damage.

Why Should You Upcycle Plastic Waste?

As our world increasingly relies on technology, the amount of plastic waste we generate each day is growing at an alarming rate. While it is possible to recycle some plastics, many end up in landfills, where they can take centuries to decompose. Upcycling is a process of repurposing waste materials into new products, and it offers several benefits over traditional recycling.

Upcycling plastic waste prevents it from ending up in landfills and requires less energy than manufacturing new plastic products from scratch. In addition, upcycled products often have a higher quality than recycled products because they are made with care and attention. Finally, upcycling helps support local economies as small businesses and artisans are often creating these new products.

So next time you’re about to throw away that old plastic water bottle, think about how you could upcycle it into something new and useful. By making a few small changes in your daily habits, you can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills.

What Are The Differences Between Plastic Upcycling And Recycling?

Recycling plastic involves breaking it down into its parts and then using those parts to create new products. Upcycling plastic, on the other hand, involves using the plastic itself to create new products. Both recycling and upcycling can potentially reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills, but there are some key differences between the two processes.

When plastic is recycled, it is first crushed into small pieces. These pieces are then heated until they melt and can be shaped into new products. The quality of the recycled plastic is often lower than that of the original material, and you can only use it to create certain products. Upcycled plastic, on the other hand, retains the properties of the original material.

This means you can create various products, including some identical to those made from virgin plastic. However, upcycling requires more thoughtfulness and creativity than recycling.

Src: https://medium.com/@fairtrunk/what-is-upcycling-ad76d475e9ad

Environmental benefits of Upcycling:

1. Saving materials from landfillThese days, many brands and designers are making very cool stuff from old stuff. Plenty of items that were once en route to landfill have been reclaimed by some very creative people.

2. Reducing what goes into landfillWe’ve become so used to things being mass manufactured and made in a heartbeat that we buy things as quickly as we throw things away.

3. Minimal use of natural resourcesUpcycling existing resources means that we don’t have to use any new raw materials in the production process. Did you know that it takes 2,700 liters to produce the cotton needed to make a single t-shirt?

Social and Economic Benefits of Upcycling:

1. Celebrating artisanal work and old school craftsmanship Behind every upcycled product, there is a maker who strongly believes in a level of craftsmanship that we just don’t see very much anymore.

2. Supporting local and rural industry Another social and economic benefit of upcycling is that it supports small local businesses as well as rural village industries.

3. Reduced manufacturing costs If designers make items from reclaimed materials, this can drastically reduce their manufacturing costs.

Personal benefits of Upcycling:

1. Doing your bit for Mother Nature Nothing beats that warm and fuzzy feeling you get inside when you’ve done something great for the planet.

2. Crafty repair skills Repairing an item and giving it a new life is a great skill and a wonderful feeling.

3. One-of-a-kind items Whether you’re upcycling things yourself or buying products from designers, it’s always nice to know that you have something that is completely unique.

Src:https://www.bluebite.com/circularity/business-sustainability

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion is a way in which brands create clothing that not only reduces the impact on the environment but is also mindful of the people who work to produce the garments. Put simply, it is fashion that is ethically made and environmentally friendly. All this sounds simple, however, being sustainable means more overheads, which in turn reduces profit margins.

For the industry to become sustainable as a whole, consumers must be willing to pay more to help make the change, or at the very least, stop buying from brands that have no regard for the environment.

This change in the zeitgeist looks like it’s beginning to happen, as younger, more eco-conscious consumers become more influential in marketing demographics.

Src: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flat-hand-drawn-sustainable-fashion-infographic-template_12202053.htm

Shilpkaar and sustainable fashion:

Project Shilpkaar empowers artisans, unlocking their potential for creativity, resilience, and prosperity. They contribute significantly to the Indian economy and are vital for preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. Even with such great contributions, the economic status of Indian artisans is well below satisfactory (sadly). They compete with the fast fashion industry, which promotes mass production overshadowing traditional art forms. There are nearly 7 million artisans in India, with an average monthly income of just 2000rs.

Adding to the challenges, India generates 15 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, yet only one-fourth of this is recycled. To address these challenges, we conducted extensive research and discovered the concept of plarn, a plastic-based yarn, to create trendy and sustainable plarn bags. Collaborating with students at NID[in video show Nationals Institue Of Design], we developed initial designs and prototypes.

The breakthrough:

To further enhance our designs, we partnered with Khamir, an esteemed NGO in Bhuj working along with the government of Gujarat. Through this collaboration, we had the privilege of working with Rajiben, an exceptional artist. She became the first beneficiary of the project, and with dedicated effort, the final prototype was completed in January 2021.

Currently, Rajiben and her team of 20 women artisans are working closely with us, crafting each bag with utmost care and skill.

Classy and fashionable Shilpkaar bags:

Shilpkaar's bags are a delight featuring Ajrakh designs, inspired by Kutch's native block print, while the interior is crafted from the luxurious and organic Kala Cotton.

Our products are designed to be water-resistant, ensuring that they can withstand various weather conditions. This feature enhances not only the longevity of the products but also their durability.

Shilpkaar also offers customizations, to personalize the customer experience Affordability being at the heart of our products, we ensure that they are accessible to a wide range of customers.

Shilpkaar’s Products

Our Beneficiary