Soroptimist International Waimea proudly led “The Clothing Revolution,” an impactful event dedicated to raising awareness about the alarming issue of clothing ending up in landfills.

 

Mission

The mission was to shed light on the environmental impact of clothing waste and inspire a change in how we approach fashion and textile disposal.  

 

The Issue

Did you know that an estimated 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste are dumped into New Zealand landfills annually? Globally, the fashion industry ranks as the second most polluting industry, contributing 8 to 10% of total carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater.

 

Event Highlights:

Key Speaker: Professor Sara Walton

SI Waimea was honoured to have Professor Sara Walton as their guest speaker. A renowned expert in sustainability, climate change, and business, Professor Walton shared valuable insights during the event.

 

Collaborating Partners:

The event brought together like-minded groups committed to combating clothing waste, including Stitch-It, Don’t Ditch It; Repair Café; and Textile Activism in Tasman.

 

Fashion Parade and Repurposing Demo:

There was a fashion parade featuring clothing from a local Op Shop. Stylist Cassandra Thomson and her daughter demonstrated creative ways to repurpose clothing, emphasizing sustainable fashion practices.

 

Creating Connections and Conversations:

Prior to the event, the club engaged in meaningful discussions about clothing waste. Aiming to make connections and spark conversations that would extend beyond the event, fostering a lasting awareness of the issue.

 

Making an Impact

“The Clothing Revolution” was more than an event; it was a call to action. Soroptimist International of Waimea remains dedicated to projects that inspire change and contribute to a sustainable, eco-conscious future.