PROJECT OVERVIEW
This case study delves into a world renowned fashion brand’s sustainability project, a pioneering initiative aimed at minimizing the ecological footprint of fashion waste. The project’s objectives were clear:
- To dispose of defective clothing and accessories without allowing them to re-enter the market, thereby protecting the brand’s integrity and contributing to environmental conservation.
The project was born out of the fashion brand’s commitment to ensuring that defective clothing and accessories, marked by the brand’s distinct design and logo, do not find their way back into the market. The brand was clear with its purpose of recycling and co-processing these items in a manner that not only complies with the stringent regulations of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Vietnam but also contributes to energy recovery without generating secondary waste.
THE PROCESS
Crown Workspace Vietnam played a pivotal role in the logistical aspect of the project, ensuring secure and compliant handling every step of the way. Crown Workspace Vietnam was responsible for the collection and secure transport of clearance products from the fashion brand’s facilities to the Waste Processing Center. The process was meticulously documented, with Goods of Receipt signed by representatives from both entities, ensuring a transparent and accountable chain of custody. At the Waste Processing Center, meticulous preprocessing took place. Every item was weighed, and all branding elements were removed, thereby neutralizing the identity of the products. This was a crucial step to prevent unauthorized resale. Fashion items such as bags, slippers, and accessories were also deconstructed to obliterate their original form.
The items were then sorted into two categories:
- Recyclable
The recyclable goods underwent a transformation into cleaning cloths, a creative repurposing that extended the lifecycle of the materials. - Non-recyclable
The non-recyclable items, on the other hand, were shredded and crushed, undergoing co-processing before being sent to a cement factory for energy recovery. There, they were transformed into a coal alternative fuel without generating secondary waste, aligning with the project’s vision of energy recovery.
THE RESULTS
The results of this collaboration were impressive. A total of 4,630 kgs of material was converted into energy through *Energy Recovery (EfW), effectively diverting all waste from landfills; while 340 kgs were recycled, achieving a remarkable zero waste to landfill. This achievement meant that 93% of the materials were recovered for energy, and 7% were repurposed, underscoring the project’s success in material management.
Materials Recycled & Recovered (by Weight)
| Materials Reused / Recycled | Weight (kgs) |
|---|---|
| Materials recycled | 340kgs |
| Energy recovery (*EfW) | 4,630kgs |
| Landfill | 0 |
| Total | 4,970kgs |
This success story not only highlights the effective waste management strategies of Crown Workspace Vietnam but also underscores the fashion brand’s commitment to a sustainable future. The project serves as an exemplary model for the industry, demonstrating that through responsible actions and innovative thinking, fashion can indeed be both stylish and sustainable.
*Energy Recovery (EFW):
Energy Recovery (EfW) is a process that generates power in the form of electricity, heat, or transport fuels from the controlled incineration of residual waste. This means that through the process of recovering your waste, energy has been created and gone into the national grid
