Basrie Kamba, the Chair of Rantai Tekstil Lestari (RTL), was recently invited as a key speaker at the 98th Social Investment Roundtable Discussion (SIRD #98). Organized by Social Investment Indonesia (SII) on 22 May 2026, the virtual event explored the central theme: “Circular Economy and Waste to Value: Transforming Waste into Solutions, Creating Sustainable Impact”. The webinar gathered hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds, including corporate representatives, foundations, academic institutions, and government bodies.
The Urgency of Circular Economy
The discussion surrounding the circular economy is increasingly urgent as the dominant linear economic model—where resources are extracted, used, and quickly discarded—creates systemic pollution and resource depletion. In the fashion and textile sector, this linear “fast fashion” approach generates significant waste along the value chain. Transitioning to a circular economy is essential to redesign systems so that waste is minimized from the production stage, material value is maintained for as long as possible, and natural systems can be regenerated.
Key Messages from RTL Chair
During his presentation, Kamba highlighted several critical insights regarding the industry’s shift toward sustainable textiles:
- The Global Push for Traceability: Circularity is a top global agenda, recently emphasized at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. International regulations, particularly in the European Union, are increasingly requiring supply chain traceability and strict Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting for imported textile products.
- Industry Gaps and Opportunities: Indonesia has a distinct advantage with its highly complete textile supply chain, ranging from raw materials to finished apparel. However, transitioning this mature industry to a circular model is currently hindered by three main gaps: a lack of shared intention, insufficient data, and limited processing technology.
- The Crucial Need for Data: Accurate data is the primary key to attracting investors into the circular textile space. Stakeholders need transparent information regarding the volume and quality of available textile waste—such as post-industrial scraps or hotel linens—before proper recycling facilities can be developed.
- Broadening the Definition of Circularity: Implementing a circular economy involves more than just recycling old clothes. True circularity also requires innovation and improved efficiency across the entire production process, including packaging, chemical usage, and water and energy consumption.
- The Power of Collaboration: No single entity can solve the industry’s challenges alone. Kamba urged stakeholders to “jump into the wagon” and begin collaborating immediately, combining resources across government, academia, designers, and industry players without waiting for a perfect starting line.
These insights align seamlessly with RTL’s core mission to accelerate the growth of a sustainable and circular textile, apparel, and fashion industry in Indonesia.
Transitioning to a circular fashion and textile ecosystem is a long-term journey that demands active participation from all sectors. Moving forward, continuous dialogue, technological innovation, and collective action among the industry, government, academia, civil society, and consumers will be essential. By taking immediate, collaborative steps, stakeholders can ensure the long-term competitiveness of Indonesia’s textile industry while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The Social Investment Roundtable Discussion (SIRD) is a bi-weekly forum hosted by Social Investment Indonesia (SII). It serves as a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and critical ideas concerning sustainability, social investment, and broader sustainable development issues.
