The fashion industry continues to grow in line with the ever-growing and dynamic market. Fashion trends are also moving fast, making the fast fashion industry encourage people to buy more clothes at affordable prices.
This unconsciously causes a mountain of fashion to continue to grow. Moreover, this fashion waste contains synthetic fibers such as polyester which cannot decompose quickly.
The mountain of textile waste is not the only emergency problem. Founder and Creative Director As Far as the Eye Can See, Chitra Subyakto said the fashion waste that has accumulated in the TPA will eventually release methane gas which is harmful to health.
"I read some worrying facts, including, in 2021, there are 4 final dumps in Bantargebang and several landfills in Indonesia which are full capacity and are no longer able to accommodate waste. One of them is textile waste. Up to the TPA, it releases methane gas which is harmful to health. Entering the river or sea, it releases microplastics which are eaten by fish and fish that are consumed by many people, "he said.
This shows that Indonesia has now had a textile waste emergency. To that end, As far as the Eye Can See tries to increase consumer awareness by holding an exhibition that tells about the emergency of textile waste with the theme "Love Clothing, Love Nature". The exhibition, which is located in Ashta District 8, SCBD, South Jakarta, is sponsored by TACO and Ashtra District 8 and will run from 6 March to 6 April 2021.
In collaboration with Felix Tjahyadi as the drafter, this exhibition is also supported by Lynx Films, Mata Studio, Magnifique, Davy Linggar, Wardah, Pable Indonesia, Syah Establishment, and Greenpeace as NGO partners. By prioritizing health protocols; wearing masks, maintaining distance, limiting interactions, and maintaining hand hygiene. Visitors are given various education and information related to facts about textile waste.
The exhibition "Love Clothing, Love Nature" consists of several areas, including; area of facts about textile waste, informative and visual videos in collaboration with Greenpeace, Davy Linggar, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Tulus, Gustika Hatta, and Mesty Artiariotedjo.
This exhibition also provides drop boxes or textile waste distribution boxes, which are of two types. One for textiles that are no longer suitable for use. Such as underwear, sports, socks, which SMM will send to Fabel Indonesia to be recycled.
Meanwhile, the second box is for clothes that are suitable for use. Later, according to Chitra, the clothes in this box will be donated or on upcycle.
"You do not accept genuine or synthetic leather because it cannot be processed," he explained.
Apart from the exhibition, SMM also held a #SejauhManaKamupeduli campaign where every purchase of SMM clothing, SMM will plant 1 tree in a special protected forest area for elephants so that they do not lose their homes.
The exhibition of SMM Sayang Sandang, Sayang Alam is actually part of Karya Kita, the result of collaboration between TACO and Ashta District 8. Earlier this year TACO developed an installation design with the theme Make That Change which carries the spirit of change and optimism.
The installation, which was held from March 6-14, 2021, uses material from TACO's innovation which is divided into product categories; Laminates, Flooring, and Hardware
