The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC) is currently implementing a multi-year project in partnership with the United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO) aimed at furthering the circular economy in the clothing and textile industry through the sustainable management of chemicals and waste.
Andre Page, project manager at the NCPC specialising in the clothing and textiles sector for over 20 years, unpacks the aims and ultimate benefits of the project, and explains the need for a circular approach to chemicals in textiles and garments.
In addition to South Africa, the "Promotion of circular economy in the textile and garment sector through the sustainable management of chemicals and waste" project is being implemented in Lesotho, Madagascar and Ethiopia. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
UNIDO serves as the international implementing agency, and the Africa Institute for the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous and Other Wastes, commonly known as the Africa Institute, is responsible for aligning execution of the project in the region.
Adopting a collaborative approach, the project partners have already engaged with international brands, local retailers, chemical and dyestuff suppliers, academia, policy makers, clothing and textile manufacturers, laboratories and other key stakeholders.
Training and implementation support will be provided to participating beneficiary companies and industry stakeholders in terms of the sustainable management of hazardous chemicals and textile wastes.
