We divert textile waste from landfill and ensure it gets recycled
We also sell materials and products made from recycled textile waste
Masterclass one.
The role of technology in a sustainable fashion
ecosystem
Hosted by Jonas Larsson & Tshepo Bhengu
Jonas
Larsson
System innovator within apparel and textile value chains with a vision of positive environmental- and social impact.The core idea of my research approach is that most established systems work well enough for enough many stakeholders to benefit enough from it, but they often have redundant and unnecessary processes. By understanding these systems, innovation potential is identified and solutions designed and demonstrated. These solutions are politically, culturally and technically feasible systems that better fulfill stakeholder’s demands and wishes and where the redundant and unnecessary processes in the benchmark system cannot exist.My research focus on minimizing wastes and to create positive impact. Projects typically pivot around the creation of resource efficient apparel and textile systems. This includes development and implementation of new sales channels, different approaches to product- and material development, and novel logistics and production solutions for more sustainable value chain management
Tshepo
Bhengu
I am an entrepreneur and creative. Driven by my inquisitive nature, I have an immense passion for creating sustainable solutions that will contribute towards the environment and a society with an improved sense of well-being.
It is my life’s mission to lead responsibly towards building a community that is progressive and works tirelessly in creating meaningful impact.
I am originally from Pietermaritzburg, where I completed my high schooling at Maritzburg College. I furthered my studies at the University of Cape Town completing my BCom degree in Financial Accounting at the end of 2017. Throughout my schooling career I have always been a keen entrepreneur, starting my first business at the age of 16. This enthusiasm for entrepreneurship continued into university where I explored my second business venture. During this time I also joined a tech start-up as a Marketing Intern.
All of these experiences have culminated in my work at Rewoven. I am a co-founder of The Rewoven Company, a local textile business pioneering the future of textile production in South Africa.
Rewoven is an innovation project and business that seeks to divert textile waste from landfill by creating 100% recycled fabrics from textile waste and plastic waste. Rewoven’s objective is to mitigate some of the adverse impacts of fast-fashion which see many people and communities in developing countries (especially in Asia and Africa) and their environment being exploited in order for retailers to maximize on profits. As such, at the core of Rewoven’s vision is to create a socially and ecologically sustainable way to create clothing; and in a much larger sense – create socially and ecologically sustainable ways of living. For Rewoven, this includes forcing the capitalist model to not only account for profits, but to also account for people at a genuine-level and the planet.
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