Towards Circularity: An ASEAN Perspective on Zero Waste Management in the Fashion Industry
On 2 October 2023, at Suksol Hotel Bangkok | 6th Kamolmart Room, the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ACESP), and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Thailand organised an event titled “Towards Circularity: An ASEAN Perspective on Zero Waste Management in the Fashion Industry.” Its primary objective is to raise public awareness about the significance of adopting zero-waste, sustainable (and) circular economy practices within the fashion industry, particularly within the ASEAN context. Over 130 onsite and online participants from 79 organisations from 19 countries participated in this event.
The opening remarks were delivered by His Excellency Rachmat Budiman, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Thailand. Mr. Chirachai Punkrasin, Executive Director of the ACSDSD and Mr. Mirza Nur Hidayat, the Director of Southeast Asian Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia, kindly welcomed the participants.
The event comprises two insightful panel discussions. The first-panel discussion, moderated by Treesuvit (David) Arriyavat from ACESP, ACSDSD, Mahidol University, explored “The Importance of Zero Waste Management and Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry, EU textile Regulation and its implication on ASEAN manufacturer, regional collaboration. The panel of experts includes Dr Peeraporn Palapleevalya, Sustainable Consumption and Production Association, Thailand (Thai SCP), Mr. Titonius Karto, President Director, PT. Suryamandiri Tekstilbuana, Associate Professor Dr Lerwen Liu, NTU Entrepreneurship Academy (NTUpreneur) | Founder Steam Platform Thailand, Lars Fogh Mortensen, EU Expert on sustainability and circular economy, and Mr. Basrie Kamba, Chairman of Rantai Tekstil Lestari, who shared their profound insights into why adopting zero waste management practices and embracing a circular economy is not just a choice but an absolute necessity for the fashion industry’s survival and sustainability.
The second panel discussion by Dr Anthony Pramualratana focuses on “The Future of Applying Zero Waste Management and Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry.” The panel of experts includes Mr. Jun Mardian, CBO, United Super Markets Holdings Inc (U.S.M. Holdings), Mr Porame Saiupparach, Leaf Creation Co., Ltd., Mr Kamin Pongsarojanavit, Thai Num Choke Textile, Nattinee Boonprasom | Child Finds Freedom, and Sarahah Kedah | Kloth Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. This session promised to glimpse the exciting innovations, technologies, and strategies that will shape the future of fashion in the ASEAN region and beyond. It’s a glimpse into the sustainable and circular fashion landscape we aspire to create.
In addition to the panel discussions, this event also features a special exhibition highlighting innovative and eco-friendly solutions to promote environmentally conscious practices within the fashion industry with the participation of the following. entities:
- Leaf Creation Co., Ltd.
- Thai Num Choke Textile Co., Ltd.
- PT Suryamandiri Tekstilbuana
- Thai Sin-Dee Trading Co., Ltd. x Indorama Polyester Industries Public Co., Ltd.
- United Super Markets Holdings Inc (U.S.M. Holdings)
- Child Finds Freedom
- SC Grand Textile
- Thai-Taffeta
- SCG Chemicals Limited Company
