PVEM Targets Textile Waste With Sustainable Legislation

To address the proper management of textile waste, Mexico's Green Party (PVEM) presented a proposal to the Chamber of Deputies aimed at promoting sustainable treatment of this waste and reducing its environmental impact.

Juan Luis Carrillo, Deputy, PVEM, proposed the inclusion of specific provisions in the law that would compel manufacturers, importers, distributors, managers, and generators of textile waste to take responsibility for its sustainable management. The proposal encourages recycling and advocates for the use of durable and high-quality materials.

The fashion industry ranks as the second most polluting globally, according to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Annually, this industry consumes about 93 billion m3 of water, equivalent to the annual demand of 5 million people. Additionally, it is estimated that close to 500,000t of synthetic microfibers are discharged into the sea.

Carrillo emphasized that Mexico has become an attractive market for fast fashion brands, leading to excessive consumption of low-quality clothing and an unwarranted accumulation of textile waste. This creates a significant environmental footprint, comparable to the impact of other plastic products such as bottles and disposable utensils. He stressed that all actors involved in the value chain should have the responsibility and obligation to promote the use of durable and quality materials.

The deputy pointed out that the greater quantity of clothing, coupled with improper management, fills landfills, inevitably leaving an environmental footprint similar to plastic bottles, straws, and plates. This phenomenon, he insisted, has contributed to the increase in textile waste, reaching around 3.7Bt annually in Mexico City, with only 1% being recycled, data he referred to as coming from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). 

Carrillo emphasized that the proposed addition to the General Law for the Prevention and Integral Management of Waste will curb excessive production and consumption of garments, significantly reducing waste and pollution, and alleviating the pressure on the natural resources needed to produce more textiles.