Corporate Communication students organise fabric waste awareness event for final year project

Fabric waste awareness event— ReClothe with Love was held on 9 April 2022 via Zoom.

The event was organised by 38 UTAR Corporate Communication Final Year students in collaboration with Kloth Cares and Sin Chew Daily. It was sponsored by Bargain Basement, Ceria Communication, Fiffy Baby, Loke Fatt Restaurant, Project M Advertising and Brand Consultancy, SEP Concrete Pump Sdn Bhd, GoodMorning Global Sdn Bhd, Printcious, Love Earth, Happy Lemon and Julie’s.

Themed Where Waste Never Wastes, the event aimed to increase awareness about the arising fabric waste issues and educate the adoption of responsible fashion consumption among Malaysian young adults. The event was filled with a series of exciting activities, namely a talk by Kloth Cares Marketing and Communication Executive Adelyn Ghwee, a mini-auction, a mini-games session, a live dialogue session with recycling enthusiasts and many more.

UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat said, “Textile wastage is a global phenomenon and has been a worldwide concern for several decades including in Malaysia. The current model of textile consumption has placed unsustainable pressure on the environment, contributing to water shortages, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and climate change. Through the activities held in this event, I hope all of us will gain further understanding of the environmental impacts of fabric waste and join the effort in turning textiles into something useful, working towards a more sustainable future.”

Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong congratulated the organising committee and said, “As fabric waste issues have become increasingly alarming in recent years, we are pleased that our students can gather the members of the public through this opportunity to promote environmental sustainability. I am glad to see our students’ growth and achievements on the path of striving for success.”

Dean of Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng said, “The main aim of this FYP project is to create an awareness of fabric waste, as well as to advocate responsible fashion consumption. It is a very unique topic and event. I also think it is very timely in this situation that we are in; the time of the pandemic. In the last two years, online consumption, especially shopping has quadrupled and lots of seasonal clothes were purchased.”

Organising Committee Chairperson of ReClothe with Love Audrey Hang Zi Qi said, “This endeavour began when we saw news articles about fabric waste issues in Malaysia. We immediately thought of the heap of old clothes sitting in our wardrobes, thinking if we could do something meaningful with it to lessen the burden of Mother Nature. And after tirelessly planning and executing activities such as clothes collection, workshops and interviews for the past five months, our event finally became a reality. On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to thank our event collaborator, Kloth Cares, our media partner, Sin Chew Daily, and our event sponsors for all the support that has been extended to us thus far.”

Adelyn Ghwee said, “The most sustainable product is the one you have already own,” during her sharing session on Acting on sustainability with 5R principles. She explained the elements of 5R which were Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle. Adelyn Ghwee also came up with a checklist on “10 questions to ask before buying clothes” to encourage participants to practise mindful spending.

The UTAR Corporate Communication Final Year students also donated RM1,500 to UTAR Hospital in appreciation of the alma mater.