The Hong Kong Polytechnic University recently hosted a guest lecture for students of the MA in Sustainable Fashion and Innovation programme, featuring Ms. Ekta Kacker Chopra, Consultant for the Redress Design Award. Her lecture, External Factors Influencing Fashion – A Systemic Change for a Sustainable Future, examined how the industry must move from a linear “take–make–use–waste” model to a circular system that regenerates, reuses, and recycles.
Ms. Chopra highlighted the growing role of legislation in shaping sustainable practices, stressing the importance of traceability, accountability, and transparency. She introduced the European Union’s Digital Product Passport, part of the EU Green Deal, which requires textile products sold in the EU to be durable, repairable, and recyclable, with greater use of recycled fibres. Industry players, she noted, must expand repair and reuse services, reduce landfilling and incineration, and build recycling capacity.
Ms. Chopra highlighted the growing role of legislation in shaping sustainable practices, stressing the importance of traceability, accountability, and transparency. She introduced the European Union’s Digital Product Passport, part of the EU Green Deal, which requires textile products sold in the EU to be durable, repairable, and recyclable, with greater use of recycled fibres. Industry players, she noted, must expand repair and reuse services, reduce landfilling and incineration, and build recycling capacity.
Beyond Europe, China has also set ambitious 2030 recycling targets, including plans to recycle 30 percent of textile waste and produce 3 million tons of recycled fibres. Product-related guidelines are being developed to encourage circular design and promote the use of recycled fibres. Ms. Chopra emphasized the importance of better waste management, consumer awareness, and designing products with longevity in mind, supported by technologies such as blockchain.
She concluded with three key takeaways: certifications and traceability tools are essential; consumers are increasingly influenced by brand values and storytelling; and legislation is a critical driver of systemic change in the fashion industry.
Lastly, Dr. Hauling Chan, who facilitated the lecture, invited Ms. Chopra to share her perspective on the role of NGOs in sustainable fashion. Chopra explained that NGOs bridge academia and industry, fostering collaboration and providing both students and citizens with exposure to real-world practices. By sharing challenges and opportunities, NGOs help educate society with practical insights that complement academic learning, empowering communities to engage more actively with sustainability issues in the fashion sector.
About Redress
Redress is a pioneering environmental NGO based in Hong Kong, dedicated to transforming the fashion industry towards a circular model. Since 2007, it has been at the forefront of educating and empowering both designers and consumers to minimize the environmental impact of clothing. Redress’ initiatives primarily focus on Asia, the world’s largest hub for textile production and consumption, while maintaining a global perspective. By collaborating with brands, manufacturers, research institutions, schools, and corporates, it strives to innovate sustainable practices in designing, producing, purchasing, using, and recycling apparel. As a registered charity, Redress is committed to fostering a more sustainable fashion future.
