Re-Making, Re-Cycling And Re-Purposing Of Discarded Fabrics And Cloth Wears As Sustainable Entrepreneurship For Wealth Creation

Abstract

In developed countries, re-making, re-cycling and re-purposing different types of materials are strategies that have been used to solve lots of problems in their built environments. They have been able to recycle both old and unusable materials and substances like water, plastics, metals, cable wires, wood, paper, cellophane bags, clothing, textiles, and fashion accessories to mention but a few, into useful things that could be sold for money. Largely, these strategies of remaking, recycling, and repurposing have not been given much attention for the management of waste, hence, there is a lot of litter in most localities in Nigeria. Used fabrics, a significant component of this waste, are often sent to landfills and this poses a threat to human lives in the built environment. Hence, this paper seeks to highlight what the built environment stands to gain if these fabric wastes are given a second use. This is qualitative research. Studio exploration, observations and interviews were used to collect data. Emphasis was placed on the entrepreneurial potentials in recycling, remaking, re-purposing, and reproducing fabric wastes and used clothing in Nigeria.  It found out that these cloth wastes can be converted into re-usable items by carrying out some studio explorations.  Also, wealth and entrepreneurship could be created through the sales of these products re-made or recycled. This will help to establish and train people in re-making, re-cycling and re-purposing of textiles and clothing, aid sustainability and provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. It recommends that people should invent various ways in which fabric wastes and used clothing could be re-utilized so as to ensure that they do not become a health hazard.