Every year, tens of millions of tons of textiles are produced worldwide. The textile industry, which has become highly dynamic in the 21st century, impacts the environment like never before. Textile production is among the major polluters responsible for an enormous amount of water consumption, with used water being significantly contaminated by chemicals from the dyeing and fabric treatment processes. The fashion industry contributes to carbon dioxide emissions through its production processes and global logistics while simultaneously generating vast amounts of textile waste that ends up decomposing instead of being recycled or reused. Moreover, the business model known as fast fashion encourages excessive consumerism, as trends change rapidly, making clothing outdated in no time, leading to an accumulation of waste. The focus is placed on quantity rather than the durability of products, and this consumption pattern is also significantly affecting our region. However, there is another way – sustainable fashion.
Humana Nova was established as a response to social and environmental challenges identified at the beginning of 2011 in Međimurje County, in the far north of Croatia. A group of dedicated individuals, inspired by study trips across the European Union and examples of good practice in social integration, recognized the high unemployment rate among people with disabilities, members of the Roma minority, and middle-aged and older seamstresses who had lost their jobs due to the collapse of the textile industry. Aware that textiles were a major pollutant and were not being systematically collected then, the team decided to launch a project that would simultaneously address social and environmental issues.
From the very foundation of the Humana Nova Social Cooperative, the emphasis has been on integrating individuals from marginalized groups and developing a circular economy model. Establishing a sewing workshop and a textile sorting facility proved to be an effective solution. A key decision was also to register the organization first as a social enterprise and later as a non-profit company, which required reinvesting the first 70 percent and 100 percent of the generated profit into further business development.
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A Sustainable Future Through Textile Recycling and Repurposing
This social cooperative operates in two facilities: a sorting center and a sewing workshop. The textile sorting center first receives clothing donated by citizens at the site or collected through partnerships with private companies and in collaboration with municipal enterprises and initiatives organized in schools and kindergartens. Afterward, a team of workers sorts the clothing and fabrics based on their quality and potential for further use. Usable and well-preserved items end up in a second-hand shop, where they are sold at affordable prices. At the same time, some materials from the sorting facility are set aside for redesign and the production of new items. Unique clothing pieces purchased from the shop can be returned to the sorting center after use. Donating textiles to organizations such as the Red Cross, social work centers, or dog shelters is also an option.
Additionally, there is another form of textile repurposing. After further processing, some materials are used for industrial cloth production or sent for further recycling, where they are transformed into felt, one of the oldest types of fabric known to humankind. Currently, secondary gas production is also in development, in cooperation with partner companies.
In the sewing workshop, employees work daily to produce various clothing and other items made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. The creative team also organizes workshops where children and adults can learn how textiles can be repurposed into new products. In this way, Humana Nova directly reduces pollution and raises community awareness about the importance of responsible resource management.
Prepared by Milica Vučković
The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY
