A Pakistani student created colourful curtains out of textile waste

At the World Textile Fair, windows and mats made from textile waste by a Pakistani student were well received.

At the textile industry's global fair, the Melham Textile Exhibition, a Pakistani textile designer's embellished rugs and mats made from textile waste attracted global brands and European designer companies.

Pakistan's largest global home textile exhibition in Germany has become an effective way of showcasing the talents of Pakistani youth while increasing exports of Pakistani products. Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture graduate Umm Kulsoom Ali Akbar turns leftover fabric into charming hand-made rugs and mats using her creativity.

By turning waste into treasure and earning foreign exchange for Pakistan, Umm Kulsoom's creative idea will reduce the environmental pollution caused by textile industry waste in Pakistan.

In a special pavilion at the World Fair Ham Textile Exhibition, Umm Kulsoom Textiles' mats and rugs are the focus of international brands, interior designers, and designer companies highlighting eco-conscious practices.

An international competition for creative ideas about textile recycling and making the textile industry eco-friendly selected Umm Kulsoom's submission. 150 students from more than 33 universities around the world participated in this competition organized by New and Next University.

Using textile and garment industry waste, such as cotton, synthetic, and fiber, the Pakistani student's idea to create fabric rugs and mats from textile and garment industry waste was selected as the winner by a jury comprised of members of New and Next University as well as global experts at Hem Textiles.

Speaking to Express News at her stall, Umm Kulsoom said that along with Europe, China and Japan, Pakistan's leading brands are also showing interest in her technique.

Rugs and mats made from textile waste with their own brand identity are being introduced to the world by companies from Europe and Japan. Through The Paper Company, these patterns could be converted into wallpaper.

As Umm Kulsoom stated, until now no one has paid attention to the pollution caused by textile waste in Pakistan.

This is because most people consider plastic pollution a threat to the environment even though textile waste can also be recycled. The use of denim and synthetic fibers in clothing is a serious environmental hazard if left unchecked.

In Umm Kulsoom's view, they made thread from these wastes to create small sandals, katarnas, and mats and rugs using weaving techniques from the waste of the t-shirt factory.

In addition to earning foreign exchange, exports of these products will also reduce environmental pollution in Pakistan.

A particularly excellent example of turning waste into something useful is Umm Kulsoom's idea, as textile waste is a problem for textile and garment companies, and is being legislated for eco-friendly disposal globally, making their products and processes more environmentally conscious.

Umm Kulsoom's groundbreaking idea of turning unwanted waste into a piece of luxury art will not only benefit the economy, but it will also save Pakistan's textile industry from a slew of environmental problems.