Upcycling v1.00

Upcycling in Bangladesh
By Shadid Hossain
Upcycling is the process of converting waste or discarded materials into new products of higher value
and quality. It is a form of recycling that aims to reduce waste and create more sustainable products,
while also promoting creativity and resourcefulness. This process involves taking used or discarded
materials and giving them a new purpose, often through creative repurposing and reimagining.
Studies show that 107 billion units of apparel were consumed in the year 2016 and it was projected to
increase by 2030.1 The fashion industry is responsible for 10 % of annual global carbon emissions, more
than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. At this pace, the fashion industry’s
greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 % by 2030. 2
Considering that Bangladesh contributed a whopping 6.7 percent to the global garment’s export, it is
imperative for us to take a step towards a more sustainable approach toward RMG. 3
Benefits of upcycling:
 Upcycling can be a great way to reduce Bangladesh’s RMG sector’s carbon footprint. Upcycling
clothes helps to reduce textile waste and reduce the demand for new raw materials, thus
reducing the environmental impact of the clothing industry.
 Moreover, upcycling clothes can provide employment opportunities for underprivileged people
and support local businesses. Additionally, upcycling clothes can be sold at a lower price
compared to new clothes, making them accessible to a wider range of consumers.
 Upcycling clothes can also preserve cultural heritage by providing a platform for traditional
textiles and garments to be reinterpreted and reimagined.
However, there are also several challenges of upcycling that we must consider
Limitations:
 The availability of used clothes that are suitable for upcycling can be limited, depending on the
location and the types of clothing that are being reused. This can make it difficult for upcycling
businesses to secure a consistent supply of materials.
 The quality of used clothes can be variable, and it may not always be possible to upcycle clothes
in a way that results in a high-quality, wearable product. This can be a challenge for upcycling
businesses that aim to produce durable, attractive clothing items.
 The market for upcycled clothing can be limited, as some consumers may prefer to buy new,
trendy clothing rather than recycled or reused items. This can make it challenging for upcycling
businesses to build a successful, profitable brand.
 It might also be difficult to find personnel to impart the required training to the underprivileged
people in order to appropriately upcycle the waste fabric.
1
The Truth About Laundry: Findings of a European study into laundry, caring for clothes and environmental
impacts
2
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2019/09/23/costo-moda-medio-ambiente
3
What’s next for Bangladesh’s garment industry, after a decade of growth?
According to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) sources, there are
some 4,500 active RMG units producing over 351,000 tons of by-products. 4 Evidently, a large amount of
resources are being wasted by the RMG sector however, it may be a daunting task to actually get hands
on these deadstock fabric. According to Khushi Kantha, a Bangladeshi social enterprise that utilizes
upcycling in order to produce baby blankets, it proves difficult to find deadstock fabric that meet all the
requirements for upcycling5
Of course, deadstock fabric can be directly sourced from the RMG units that are operating in
Bangladesh, but if that becomes infeasible for any reason there are also some other options that are
available. For instance, upcybom.com is a digital marketplace which connects buyers and sellers of
deadstock directly. There are also dedicated deadstock fabric markets in Old Dhaka.
4
Upcycling the garment solid waste in Bangladesh by MH Bhuiya (2017)
5
https://khushikantha.com/the-search-for-deadstock-fabric

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Upcycling in Bangladesh

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