What happens to old military uniforms when they are discarded? You can’t just throw them away, as they must not end up in the wrong hands, but burning them seems like a waste. In the Philippines, a special project has been launched to give old uniforms a new life through weaving. At the same time, it provides the families of former military personnel with opportunities in the job market.
A New Project
The project “Weave for Peace” is a collaboration between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the BAYO Foundation, an advocate for circularity in the fashion industry. The idea is to break down old military uniforms into fibers and spin them into new yarns. By blending these old fibers with Philippine cotton, the resulting yarns are strong enough to be woven into new garments. The weaving process is entirely manual, requiring no electricity, making it a sustainable method of clothing production.
Military families are given the opportunity to earn an income through weaving. Currently, the program has 20 participants, all of whom can progress from manual weaving to garment production. The goal is to utilize every part of the donated uniforms to create new products. In this way, the project is not just about repurposing old uniforms but also about providing families with a pathway into the workforce.
A Great Initiative, but Not Universally Applicable
This initiative brings together multiple benefits—social, economic, and environmental. The project is seen as promising because it provides families with a stable income while ensuring that discarded military uniforms are put to good use.
However, it is important to recognize that this approach cannot be easily replicated worldwide. In the Philippines, weaving can provide a full income because there is strong local demand for handwoven textiles. The production of clothing, whether handmade or machine-made, plays a significant role in the country’s economy.
In Western countries, this would be much more challenging. Textile production is often outsourced to other countries where labor costs are lower. While some sustainable initiatives exist, such as turning old military uniforms into Christmas ornaments, these projects are often hobby-based. Other initiatives focus on repurposing uniforms for second-hand use in other countries, but the work involved is often assigned to prison inmates, primarily due to cost-effectiveness, as prisoners provide cheap labor.
That being said, Weave for Peace does not need to be a universal solution for discarded military uniforms. Sustainability varies across industries, regions, and cultures, making it a fascinating subject. We can learn from one another, but sometimes, admiration alone is enough.
