Message from the President
I believe that we, the fashion industry, must make a concerted effort to realize a sustainable society as advocated by the United Nations and to pass on our beautiful planet to the next generation.
I have been involved in the fashion industry for many years and have seen many aspects of the industry. The fashion industry is said to be the second most polluting industry in the world.
There are various reasons for this, such as pesticides used in the cultivation of materials and greenhouse gases during production. On the other hand, consumers have also started to buy clothes casually and in large quantities, and the amount of clothes given away from households today is 750,000 tons (per year). Of this amount, 500,000 tons are disposed of as garbage.
Therefore, we, the International Association for the Recycling of Natural Fibers, in cooperation with domestic and international organizations, support the production of natural fibers through sustainable agriculture, promote the sorting and collection of unwanted clothes and textile products to return natural fibers to the soil, and promote the fashion industry by educating consumers about the process from raw material production to post-consumption. We also want to promote positive changes in the fashion industry by educating consumers about how to make a positive difference from raw material production to post-consumption.
We have established the International Association for Natural Fiber Recycling in the sincere hope that the fashion industry can contribute to the realization of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society and truly revitalize the industry.
International Association for Natural Fiber Recycling
President Tamotsu Yagiwara
Current Situation of Fashion and Environment
Do you know how many resources are used to make one piece of clothing that you wear every day, and how much of an impact it has on the environment?
Each piece of clothing emits about 25.5 kg of CO2 and consumes about 2,300 liters of water.
A large amount of water is used in the cultivation of plants used as raw materials, dyeing, and other processes, and waste such as excess fabric is also generated in the production process.
The fashion industry is the second most environmentally polluting industry in the world.
A large percentage of clothes that are no longer worn are discarded, with 34% recycled or reused and 66% discarded as disposal or landfill.
With growing interest in sustainable fashion, concrete action is required from both companies and consumers.
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Our Vision
Important Considerations
During production and manufacturing
Reduce environmental impact
In the process of making products from natural fibers, we are exposed to various environmental burdens such as pesticides, water resources, transportation, and manufacturing processes.
NICO is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.
Recycling/Sorting
Promotion of recycling and reuse
Just as there are materials that can be recycled and those that cannot, there are materials that can be returned to the soil and those that cannot.
We will promote collection and sorting, and appropriate recycling and reuse methods through cooperation with local governments, local residents, and businesses.
What is born of the earth
Should be returned to the earth
Cotton is the most common type of natural fiber. Among other materials, cotton is originally a natural material that can be returned to the soil.
Today, a large amount of clothing is being burned and disposed of around the world. Meanwhile, unused clothing, fabrics, and scraps can be replaced with newly produced petroleum-based products such as agricultural and greening materials.
And when they have served their purpose, they can finally be returned to the soil.
What is born of the earth should be returned to the earth
Unused
Utilization of Natural Materials
A huge amount of agricultural waste is thrown away all over the world.
Among them, there are a number of crops whose fiber content can be utilized to make yarn.
Pineapples, bananas, and sugarcane, for example, are typical examples.
These are fiber raw materials that can be made from the inedible parts of edible crops.
They promote the effective use of resources without expanding farmland and without destroying the environment.