Circularity can be applied across all sectors and industries, including the fashion and textile sectors. Every year, the textile sector contributes 2%–8% of the world’s greenhouse gases, uses about 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools of natural water resources, and accounts for 9% of microplastic pollution in our oceans, according to the global road map on textile value chain by the United Nations Environment Programme. 

In addition, 3.4 billion trees are cut down annually to produce paper packaging and fabrics such as rayon and viscose, with many of these coming from ancient and endangered forests, according to Canopy, an environmental nonprofit focused on creating circular supply chains to protect forests, species, and the climate.

For this webinar, Canopy discussed how scaling production of low-impact alternative fibers made from discarded textiles and food waste have the potential to not only reduce reliance on primary forests but also drive a circular economy, create green jobs, and alleviate secondary health and environmental issues.

Speakers 

James Alden | Head of Regional and Investor Engagement, Canopy

James focuses on catalyzing the scaling of 10 million metric tons of alternative fiber capacity in India. He has 20 years of experience in agricultural technology, energy efficiency, clean technology, and business sustainability, and has been involved in the build, growth, and sale of multiple businesses in the clean tech space. He has occupied a series of senior roles in startup organizations over the last 20 years, most recently as the CEO of Oreka Solutions, an insect feed additive business. James has a degree from McGill University, a diploma from the Canadian Securities Institute, and has volunteered on many not-for-profit boards.

Valerie Langer | Fiber Solutions Strategist, Canopy

Valerie has been engaged in forest conservation initiatives for over 30 years. Under Canopy, she works to accelerate the global availability of 'Next Generation' alternatives to tree fiber pulp for manufacturing paper, packaging, and man-made cellulosic fibers for textiles, and with Canopy Planet Solutions to mobilize investment for Next Generation pulp production. She was on Canopy’s founding Steering Committee, is a Donella Meadows Fellow in Systems Thinking, and was a recipient of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge Award, along with colleagues who helped craft the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements.