Imagine the time when the Earth was born—crystal-clear skies, clean air, lush green landscapes. Every breath was pure, every view untouched. That was nature at its finest, created perfectly by the Almighty.
Today, much of that beauty is fading. Plastic, industrial waste, and unsustainable practices have reshaped the world we live in. Yet, hope is not lost. Humanity now has the tools, technology, and knowledge to restore the planet. The answer lies in one simple but powerful idea: the circular economy.
What is Circular Economy?
A circular economy means rethinking how we produce, consume, and discard. Instead of a “take–make–waste” linear model, it’s about reuse, recycle, and regenerate. It’s not about going backward in progress—but going backward in restoration, reclaiming the clean and thriving Earth we once had.
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Simple examples include replacing single-use plastics with glass bottles, reusing fabrics, and investing in renewable materials. On a larger scale, it means industries adopting recycling technologies, reducing waste, and creating value from by-products.
Textile Waste: A Global Challenge
The textile and apparel industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters. Every year, the world produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste, a figure expected to climb to 134 million tonnes by 2030 if urgent action is not taken. Shockingly, only 12% of textiles are recycled globally, while the rest ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Countries like Bangladesh, India, and China—global leaders in textiles—face mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions. In Bangladesh alone, the industry generates about 577,000 tonnes of textile waste annually. If this waste were processed domestically, the country could save up to USD 700 million each year in raw material imports. Instead, many textile owners remain trapped in unhealthy “waste syndicates,” where valuable scraps are controlled by middlemen.
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The solution? Every factory and industry group should establish its own recycling plant. Governments, in turn, must support this transition by offering subsidies and reducing tariffs on recycling machinery.
Global Innovations: Lessons from China and India
China has already taken bold steps. At Zhangjiagang Shanhesheng Environmental Technology, the first fully automated textile waste sorting line has been launched. Using AI and hyperspectral imaging technology, the system can separate fibers, blends, and colors with high precision—turning discarded clothes into reusable fibers for new products.
India, too, is heavily investing in circular economy projects, focusing on fiber reuse and waste reduction. These countries recognize that recycling is no longer optional—it is essential for global competitiveness and environmental survival.
Why Circular Economy Matters Globally
Environment – Fashion and textiles contribute between 2% and 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consume about 93 billion cubic meters of water every year. Circular practices help cut pollution, carbon emissions, and landfill pressure.
Economy – In the European Union alone, over 4 million people are already employed in circular economy sectors like recycling, repair, and reuse. Globally, the transition could create 7–8 million new jobs in developing nations, unlocking billions of dollars in economic value by 2030.
Future Competitiveness – Brands and buyers are prioritizing sustainable supply chains. Without circular practices, countries risk losing access to global markets.
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The Way Forward
For Governments: Create sustainability quotas, subsidies, and incentives for recycling technology.
For Industries: Invest in recycling plants, explore AI-driven sorting, and involve waste traders directly in solution-building.
For Individuals: Reduce, reuse, and support eco-friendly alternatives in daily life.
The time to act is now. Whether it’s through glass bottles instead of plastic, textile recycling plants instead of landfills, or renewable resources instead of disposables—every step matters.
Circular economy is not just a business model. It is humanity’s chance to restore the Earth’s original beauty. If we invest together—governments, companies, and citizens—we can create a future where nature thrives, waste disappears, and the Earth breathes freely again.
Global Investment in Circular Economy – A Sustainable Future for All
And how beautiful it would be if a newborn baby on this Earth could breathe the same pure air once breathed by generations before them. Will this remain a dream—or can we make it reality? The choice is ours.
About the Author
Md. Salauddin is Director of Reaz Garments Ltd, while also serving as an advisor to the Textiles and Garments Merchandise Blog Bunon, he actively contributes insights on sustainability, sourcing, and industry transformation.
He carries forward a remarkable legacy: his father, Mohammad Reazuddin, founder of Reaz Garments, is widely recognized as one of Bangladesh’s first ready-made garment exporters. In 1978, Reaz Garments shipped 10,000 shirts to France, a milestone that helped lay the foundation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry.
Building on this pioneering heritage, Salauddin combines deep industry knowledge with a commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing, and global competitiveness for Bangladesh’s apparel sector.
