Organised on Wednesday, July 6th, 2023

The fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and is one of the most economically driven industries globally. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be a growth in production to about 145 million tonnes of textiles (European Parliament, 2020). Textile production is responsible for approximately 20% of global clean water pollution, where synthetic laundry accounts for 35% of microplastics, and such contaminants end up in the food chain (European Parliament, 2020).

Circular economy of these materials not only has environmental benefits in terms of reducing resource extraction and minimizing waste but also presents economic opportunities by fostering innovation, job creation, and the development of new value chains, from design to production, use, and end of life (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2021).

The webinar gave an insight into the challenges and opportunities for achieving a circular economy for the textile industry.

SPEAKERS

Peter Förster, Project Manager and Focal Point for Circular Economy, GIZ Colombia

Peter Förster is an expert with more than 12 years of specific experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency and circular economy in various countries in Latin America, Europe and Africa. In 2016 Peter joined GIZ as country manager of the Project Development Program (PEP), leading the strategic planning and implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for private companies and capacity development in Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Since 2020 Peter is project manager and focal point for Circular Economy for GIZ Colombia, working with public and private actors on topics such as organic waste management, resource efficiency and improving circularity along different value chains such as textile, electronic appliances, and packaging.

Andreas Bartl, Senior Scientist, TU Wien

Andreas Bartl is senior scientist at TU Wien at the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering (ICEBE). He holds a PhD from TU Wien in Technical Sciences and in 2012 he received the Conferment of the right to lecture (“venia docendi”) and the academic title “Privatdozent”. Since 2002 he is engaged in recycling fibers from end-of-life products such as apparel or tires. Until today he is active in the field of textile recycling and is/was involved in EU and national projects. Among other things Andreas is Member of the board of the Austrian Fiber Institute and associate editor the journals “Waste Management & Research” and “Detritus”.

Aditi Ramola, CEO, Ambire Global

Aditi is the CEO of Ambire and the Technical Director at the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), where she manages international projects and partnerships with the UN, provides assistance to ISWA’s Working Groups, and helps develop innovative projects globally to further strengthen cooperation with ISWA’s partners and international organizations. In 2020 she co-founded Ambire Global which is an environmental consulting firm. Her skills are particularly focused on solid waste management and environmental issues. Aditi holds a master’s in Environmental Technology and International Affairs from the Vienna University of Technology and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. She has several years of experience in the private sector, including at Caterpillar Inc., before joining the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the Climate Policy and Networks unit. Aditi is a past Chair of the ISWA Young Professionals Group and is also passionate about science education. She founded an initiative on Education of the YPG. In 2016 she helped launch the regional ISWA YPG in India, which serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and developing project ideas to bring sound waste management to the country.