"No Waste" Has Become A New Favorite In Fashion And Textile Industry

Recently, the 2025 Hangzhou "International Day without Waste" theme activity was held in Lianheli Business District, Binjiang District. The event was hosted by Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Ecological Environment, and organized by Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Ecological Environment Binjiang Branch, Hangzhou Ecological Environment Publicity and Education Information Center, Hangzhou National Green Action Promotion Association, and Hangzhou Ecological Culture Association.

The theme of this year's "International Waste Free Day" is "achieving zero waste in the fashion and textile industry", which aims to emphasize the important role of the rapidly developing fashion and textile industry in coping with the global waste pollution crisis. The activity closely focused on the theme, through popular science lectures, sitcoms, works displays, interactive experiences and other ways, it publicized the concept of "waste free" to the whole society, promoted the formation of sustainable production and consumption patterns, helped the construction of "waste free city" across the region, and accelerated the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

　　 Scientific and technological empowerment and full chain management "no waste" help high-quality development

At the event site, there are many attractions and excitement. In the "waste free" science popularization link, Dingyuan Textile, Honghua Digital Technology and Bamboo Museum unveiled the new trend of green fashion enabled by science and technology through the new practice of displaying materials and equipment innovation, digital transformation, and the integration of traditional technology and modern technology.

Technology enabled textiles are leading a new trend of green. For example, Dingyuan Textile has introduced foreign advanced sorting lines, opening lines, air flow forming lines and other equipment to realize the high value, clean and emission reduction recycling of waste clothing. Through technological innovation, waste textiles are efficiently treated. Every 1kg of waste textiles used can reduce 3.6kg of carbon dioxide emissions, save 6000 liters of water, and achieve a greener production mode. In addition, the enterprise also focuses on the comprehensive utilization of leftover materials, defective products and inventory. Recycled fiber products have passed the Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certification. The concept of "waste free" adds new momentum to the sustainable development of the enterprise. Associate Professor Zhu Lvtao from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology introduced the team's innovative achievements of PLA (polylactic acid) biodegradable environmental protection clothing materials. PLA uses renewable resources as raw materials, and its production process can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, opening up a new direction for the application of environmental protection clothing materials.

Digital transformation is helping "waste free" production. Honghua digital printing technology significantly reduces water resource consumption and wastewater discharge through digital production mode, providing solutions for sustainable development. Compared with traditional printing and dyeing, digital printing technology saves 85% - 95% of water, reduces wastewater discharge by more than 90%, and reduces enterprise wastewater treatment cost by 70% on average. As a key technology of green manufacturing in the textile industry, it provides a strong guarantee for "waste free" production.

The combination of traditional technology and modern technology is creating a "waste free" model. Starting with the application of sustainable materials, the Bamboo Museum has developed biodegradable bamboo weaving products, introduced laser cutting and CNC weaving technology, and improved the precision to 0.05 mm and production efficiency by 30%. At the same time, by establishing a product database and optimizing the design and production plan, the inventory turnover rate has increased by 35% and customer satisfaction has increased by 20%, providing practical experience for the construction of "waste free city".

The initiative of "waste free fashion and textiles" is like a green fashion relay. Representatives from all walks of life, centering on textile printing and dyeing enterprises, clothing designers, producers, consumers, recycling, etc., jointly outline a beautiful new blueprint of "waste free fashion and textiles".

　　 International vision and example lead the concept of "no waste" to be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people

As a pioneer in the construction of a "waste free city" in China, Hangzhou is promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of traditional industries through a series of innovative measures.

During the activity, Chinese and foreign youth representatives from the "Hi China" propaganda studio shared with Su Lei the "waste free" story they observed on the weekend, telling the successful practice of Hangzhou in the green transformation and upgrading of traditional industries such as shoemaking and textile, and injecting new vitality into the sustainable development of the city.

It was mentioned in the presentation at the weekend that by introducing advanced equipment and environment-friendly materials, the shoemaking enterprises recycled and reused the leftover materials, which not only reduced the cost, but also reduced the waste generation, and achieved a win-win economic and environmental benefits. The textile industry is also actively exploring the "zero waste" mode, transforming chemical fiber waste into road base cloth, cotton cloth leftovers into clean rags, effectively reducing the accumulation of textile waste. At the same time, Hangzhou encourages creativity and environmental protection. The practice of "waste free" is not limited to enterprises, and college students also actively participate in it. They use Longjing tea dregs to dye cloth to turn waste into treasure, and won the gold medal of the provincial "waste free creative contest". These innovative measures in the construction of "waste free cities" not only promote the green transformation of traditional industries, but also provide valuable experience and reference for other cities across the country.

Su Lei, a young Yemeni student studying in Hangzhou, shared the "no waste" practice achievements he witnessed in Hangzhou and deeply admired Hangzhou's green transformation. He mentioned in particular that Hangzhou not only successfully practiced the concept of "no waste" during large-scale events such as the Asian Games, but also integrated the "no waste" and green lifestyle into people's daily life. He hoped to bring Hangzhou's "no waste" experience back to Yemen, enhance public awareness of environmental protection and promote environmental protection in his hometown.

At the event site, the sponsor also issued the appointment certificate of "waste free city" construction public welfare ambassador to the citizens who are enthusiastic about environmental protection. At the same time, it hired Kong Shengdong, a national model worker who has volunteered to repair bicycles for the masses for 39 years, Zhu Guodong, the winner of the National May Day Labor Medal, the team leader of the cleaning and transportation company of the municipal environmental group, and one hundred of the most beautiful ecological and environmental protection volunteers in China Zhu Shuhong, who has volunteered to patrol the lake and salvage garbage for several years, Qi Zhijian, a national outstanding teacher and 50 years of environmental education, and four representatives from different fields are public welfare ambassadors for Hangzhou's "waste free city" construction. In the future, together with relevant departments, they will actively participate in the publicity, education and public welfare activities of "waste free city" construction, promote the formation of a new trend of "waste free", and help build a beautiful Hangzhou in the new era.

In addition, the "waste free cell" at the activity site, on behalf of the "Huibao Little Guard" of Chunhui Primary School, brought the "waste free" scenario of "Chunhui Enjoying Things: Sharing Dreams Beyond the Campus", which not only demonstrated the "waste free" practices such as the transformation of old things and the recycling of resources in the campus, but also showed the children's deep understanding of the "waste free" concept and a positive outlook for the future of environmental protection.

　　 Interactive experience is wonderful and "waste free" life is within reach

"I used to think that environmental protection was far away from us, but today I see these creative works and practical applications, and I find that environmental protection can be integrated into all aspects of life." The on-site "no waste" market attracted many citizens and tourists to punch in.

It is understood that the creative experience area of this market is all built of natural and environmentally friendly bamboo, and the interactive activities are diverse and wonderful. In the "no waste" bamboo play interactive area, staff encourage citizens to share their own "no waste" tips; In the transformation area of "clothes" in Qiaosi Vocational High School, citizens make small dolls with old clothes. While giving full play to creativity, they feel the charm and practicality of the concept of "no waste". "I didn't expect that old clothes can become such cute little dolls, which not only reduces waste, but also gives them new life." Ms. Li, a citizen, sighed.

At the event site, merchants in the business district also took active actions to promote the implementation of the concept of "no waste". Starbucks and other businesses shared their innovative practices in pollutant treatment, reducing the production of plastic waste and disposable products by introducing environmentally friendly packaging materials and encouraging customers to bring their own cups; Many catering businesses jointly promote the "CD Action", advocating customers to order meals on demand and reducing food waste.

Today, on the road of building a "waste free city", Hangzhou has gained more and more outstanding achievements - it has been awarded the Excellent Assessment of Beautiful Zhejiang for nine consecutive years, the "waste free index" has been the first in the province for three consecutive years, and the public satisfaction of ecological environment has been improved for two consecutive years, with scores and rankings both hitting record highs.

In addition, focusing on the reduction at the source, more than 2900 "waste free cells" have been built, including waste free factories, waste free business districts and other types of "waste free cells", of which 44 have been selected as Zhejiang Baiyou "waste free cells", and Geely Automobile Group has been selected as a typical case of "waste free enterprises" in China; Focusing on resource utilization, 28 leading enterprises for renewable resource recovery, 47 sorting centers and 2767 recycling outlets were cultivated. In 2024, the comprehensive utilization rate of general industrial solid waste and construction waste in the city will be 98.87% and 97.99% respectively; Focusing on harmless disposal, more than 60 solid waste utilization and disposal projects have been completed in total. The city's hazardous waste landfill rate has been less than 3% for three consecutive years, and the harmless disposal rate of medical waste, domestic garbage and other wastes has remained 100%.

Ma Liyang, secretary of the Party Leadership Group and director of the Municipal Bureau of Ecological Environment, said that Hangzhou will always adhere to the goal of "no waste in the whole region", accelerate the construction of "no waste in the whole region", promote green development of the industry, deepen national action, protect this beautiful land with action, and make green the most moving background of Hangzhou.

(Source: Hangzhou Daily correspondent Chen Aimin, Zhang Ruiping, reporter Yu Qian)