Over the past five years, the Center of Research and Community Inclusive Support (CORMIS) under the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations has launched its “Magical Fragments” project to recycle discarded textiles from garment facilities in a bid to raise public awareness about environmental issues, as well as help women with disabilities have a sustainable job and income.

Waste minimization

According to Mrs. Mai Thi Dung, the Director of CORMIS, handicraft manufacturers often discard a significant amount of fabric scraps. CORMIS has taken the innovative approach of repurposing fabric scraps and turning those into artful items in order to reduce waste.

The initiative also aims to spread the message of environmental protection and sustainable green living to local communities.

Such beautiful items made from repurposed fabric as handheld wallets, bags, laptop bags, hair ties are crafted with impressive colours and meticulous stitching, showcasing femininity and softness.

At first glance, it is unbelievable that these artful products are created by the disabled women as each item reflects a level of skill and sophistication.

In a small house on Vo Truong Toan Street, Son Tra District, about 10 disabled women are working daily with bright smiles on their faces to create artful products from scraps of material.

Ms. Mai Thi Dung, a worker at this facility, explains that some handkerchiefs and fabric bags are made from used bedspreads and pillowcases.

In their recycling efforts, the disabled women collect the fabric waste from large tailor shops in the district to create more attractive items to meet customer demands.

Empowering women with disabilities by creating job opportunities for them

Recycled products made from textile waste are sold through various channels, including the CORMIS’s fan page and trade fairs held in Hoi An and Da Nang. In addition, foreign tourists can purchase these products at CORMIS’s headquarters.

50-year-old Dang Thi Be with leg disabilities and visual impairment, a resident of Son Tra District, work from home as a seamstress.

"CORMIS has created job opportunities for individuals with disabilities like me by helping us utilize leftover fabric scraps from the textile products into useful items for purchase. This job not only contributes to environmental protection but also helps me earn extra income. Apart from income generated from my home sewing job, I can earn an extra VND 2-3 million from recycling fabric scraps in order to improve my living conditions," shared Ms. Be.

Along with fostering economic empowerment for individuals with disabilities, CORMIS also focus on engaging them in social activities and trade fairs. These events not only serve as platforms for selling products but also offer the chance to them to meet with like-minded people, as well as improve their trading and communication skills.

According to Mrs. Mai Thi Dung, the Director of CORMIS, the center has received substantial support from individuals and organizations to help disabled women improve their crafting skills in an attempt to keep up with market trends and opportunities.

Fabric recycling not only empowers women with disabilities by raising their self-confidence to integrate into society, but also contributes to environmental protection for sustainable development. In the future, the center aims to seek more customers for recycled products in an effort to help people with disabilities increase income and implement more healthcare programs for them.

Reported by KHANH NGAN – Translated by THAO TRANG