Textile Waste
Textile waste in Cambodia waterways is a problem.
20% of the waste our partner collects is textile..
We are pioneering a new movement in Cambodia.
Embracing local arts as tangible solutions and amplifying awareness about the issues.
Re-Made in Cambodia (RMIC) is a response to the harmful practices of the fashion industry in Cambodia and beyond. The unyielding demand for inexpensive clothing in the West has resulted in a destructive cycle of overproduction, meager wages, and miserable working conditions for factory laborers in Cambodia. Consequently, Cambodia faces massive problems affecting its entire ecosystem; Illegal logging to fuel clothing factories—a censored issue—has caused significant deforestation, while textile waste has polluted rivers and exposed both wildlife and drinking water to microplastics and harmful chemicals. Furthermore, due to an underresourced recycling and waste management system, large companies have taken to incinerating clothing for energy, thereby endangering the health of kiln workers. In addressing the interlinked issues related to Cambodia’s garment industry, RMIC offers an alternative model that prioritizes environmental protection and promotes dignity and agency for everyone involved, from designers to kiln and garment workers.
The Solution
Re-Made in Cambodia is an one-of-a-kind sustainable fashion project that aims to revolutionize the global fashion industry while championing Cambodian arts. Our vision is simple but powerful: to elevate the next generation of Cambodian designers to become trailblazers in the fashion world, all while prioritizing sustainability and creating a positive impact on our environment.
We use the power of fashion to address eco-anxiety. Our unique method revolves around transforming textile waste from the river into stunning fashion collections that embody the true essence of sustainability. By focusing on sustainable textile waste management, we not only tackle the pressing issue of waste but also showcase the immense creative potential hidden within discarded materials.
In 2023, our main event, an upcycled fashion show, featured Cambodian-designed clothing in which 80% of the outfits are up-cycled from river waste. Our process is simple but powerful, we work with local nonprofits to remove the waste in the rivers, of which 20% is textiles, and put it in the hands of young artists.
We demonstrate to industry pillars the power of innovation and sustained engagement with youth.