THE ESSENCE OF HANDMADE FABRICS
The handmade, as ancient as it is, it is also a ‘fabric-of-today’. Handmade fabrics are essentially made of biodegradable materials; they are made without using finite energy and resources so that they make less negative impact on the environment. Unlike other industrially manufactured woven and knitted ones, these fabrics making involve hand-operated processes like hand spinning and hand weaving that use the ‘people energy’ of artisans, and have far-reaching economic and social benefits. With growing concerns about Global Warming and Climate Change, this is a unique way of fabric hand-crafting and it is a clean energy initiative.
WHAT ARE ESVS?
MORALFIBRE believes that commitment made to reduce CO2 emissions by each one of us, will see much better results; rather than leaving it entirely to the states and their mechanisms. What if we know our own CO2 emission saving potential in numbers and start achieving those numbers by making small alterations in our lifestyle?
MORALFIBRE has attempted to link the global warming and climate change numbers with clothing and textile of India. We have applied a revolutionary term ESV (Environmental Saving Value) and use a technique to calculate ESV for fabrics and other products.
Along with tracking savings in CO2 emission, we are also tracking parameters like tree saved, water saved, land pollution saved, water pollution saved, and air pollution saved. We create a reward and recognition structure for children and organizations/companies and give them appropriate rewards linked to their ESVs. This would create a chain of motivation. What if we all, one at a time, start achieving those CO2 savings numbers?? (We are partnering with Innovate Green LLP. www.recycle.green in this initiative)
HOW MUCH DOES OUR WARDROBE COSTS?
Are mill-made branded clothes really cheap? They can be made in mills or power looms using natural or synthetic yarns causing CO2 emissions and creating air pollution. They can be dyed and printed using toxic chemical dyes creating water pollution if water not treated before release.
The migrant workers may be over-worked, under-paid, exploited in unsafe working conditions. Your pocket may not be lighter from buying such a product but your lungs may become heavier! There are too many hidden costs that destroy the environmental balance and destroy human dignity.
Let’s take the example of Natural Dyes Vs Chemical Dyes. Natural dyeing costs Rs 650 – Rs.1000 per kg. Chemical dyeing costs Rs 50-80 per kg! However, you are paying Rs. 1000 per month for water cans due to pollution. Are mill-made branded clothes really cheap???
WHAT ARE SDGS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. They apply to all nations and mean, quite simply, to ensure that no one is left behind. The five key elements: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. Three pillars of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental.
MORAL FIBRE supports SDGs: 1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms. 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote inclusive, sustainable growth and decent work. 12. Sustainable Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. 13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
WHAT IS SACRED ECONOMY?
‘Sacred Economy’ includes handmade products using minimum 60% human labour, 60% local raw material; and not more than 40% automation/imports.
“The system that prevails today is the opposite of the sacred. It is a monster economy... It is dying, and the government is using the taxpayer’s money to revive it. While agriculture and crafts are dying, the poor are leaving villages. The government is aiding corporations,” – Vinod Vyasulu.
This movement started by Thespian Prasanna demands no tax on products from the Sacred Economy. All benefits from the government must go to this sector.
WHAT IS CIRCULAR FASHION
‘Circular fashion’ can be defined as clothes, shoes or accessories that are designed, sourced, produced and provided with the intention to be used and circulate responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible in their most valuable form, and hereafter return safely to the biosphere when no longer of human use.
(Anna Brismar, Green Strategy, 2017)
WHAT IS SLOW FASHION?
Slow fashion, is a concept describing the opposite to fast fashion and part of the “slow movement”, which advocates for manufacturing that respects people, the environment, and animals. As such, contrary to industrial fashion practices, slow fashion involves local artisans and the use of eco-friendly materials, with the goal of preserving crafts and the environment and, ultimately, provide value to both consumers and producers.
