Social entrepreneurship and circular textiles by Humana Nova Cakovec
22 May 2018
Social cooperative Humana Nova Cakovec
We are collecting used clothes and textile waste which we use in production of our fashion line “ReDesign”. Used clothes is mostly collected in north-west Croatia. It is sorted in Humana Nova premises based on the following categories: Clean and undamaged clothes is forwarded to a special store that offers affordable products made by Humana Nova. Clean and partially damaged clothes is sewed and then sent to “greenware” stores. Clean and damaged clothes will be used to make new articles such as apron, slippers, bags, garments, etc. Damaged and stained textile waste will be recycled into cleaning wipes for nearby industries. Buttons, zippers and other accessorizes are removed and further reused. Unusable textile waste will be sent to recycling companies. People producing these products are mostly from marginalized groups (people with disability, long-term unemployed people, single parents, older people, youth, etc.).
EURATEX
Slippers; the bottom is made of artificial leather (leftover from leather material producer) for waterproof and anti-slip, sponge layer and other material from post-consumer textile waste, mostly cotton.
Apron with a patched pocket made of post-consumer cotton textile waste
Description
We are collecting used clothes and textile waste which we use in production of our fashion line “ReDesign”. Used clothes is mostly collected in north-west Croatia. It is sorted in Humana Nova premises based on the following categories:
- Clean and undamaged clothes is forwarded to a special store that offers affordable products made by Humana Nova.
- Clean and partially damaged clothes is sewed and then sent to “greenware” stores.
- Clean and damaged clothes will be used to make new articles such as apron, slippers, bags, garments, etc.
- Damaged and stained textile waste will be recycled into cleaning wipes for nearby industries. Buttons, zippers and other accessorizes are removed and further reused.
- Unusable textile waste will be sent to recycling companies.
People producing these products are mostly from marginalized groups (people with disability, long-term unemployed people, single parents, older people, youth, etc.).
Added value
- Over 7 years we have gathered approximately 1500 tons of used clothes and textile waste which was reused or recycled.
- The aforementioned has reduced emission of CO2 by 1.368.000,00 kg.
Challenges
- Unclear national regulations in terms of waste management, social entrepreneurship and employment of people with disabilities.
- Consumer perception of recycled/reused textiles: people are often not ready to pay a price for reused or recycled products.
Partners
