People shouldn't be made to pay bigger price for being eco-friendly: Dia Mirza

Mumbai: Handloom has become a runway favourite from being a common man's clothing but the focus on sustainability has made it unaffordable for the masses. Dia Mirza, who is UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, believes government needs to regulate the costing of eco-friendly and natural products in order to make sustainability the way of life.

"Costing is a major factor which needs to be looked at to make handlooms popular. Now the more natural the thing is the more expensive it will be. I believe government will have to play a very important role in that. There are companies producing natural stuff to get tax benefits.

"I believe people shouldn't be made to pay a bigger price for being eco-friendly. It discourages people from using sustainable products. Not everybody has the means of the income to afford this kind of stuff. Cost of these products have to come down to make it mainstream," Dia told PTI in an interview.

The 36-year-old actor says the fact that India is the biggest producer of handloom and hand-woven material can make the country the frontrunner is explaining the necessity of sustainability to the world.

"India has an advantage that we are a developing economy and our businesses are still being formed. There are so many new enterprises and first time designers who are setting up. So if we bring the awareness to them and they are informed about being conscious about sustainability with the example of the existing players, things will be amazing.

"India is not unfamiliar with sustainability so all we need to do is bring back the old traditions. We can be an example for the world, which we can do easily because science is in our favour. All we have to learn is to be imaginative and creative," she says.

Dia delivered a talk today at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018 on driving circular economy with 'Fashion for Earth'. In her address, the actor explained what the circular economy model means and how it can contribute in promoting sustainable fashion.

"World is finally acknowledging that fashion is the higher carbon producing industry then aviation and marine industry. There is only a certain amount of resource which environment provides us and we have already surpassed the amount we should have used.

"I think the more and more people understand this, the better the choices they will make. What people need to understand is in the end what we do with the environment, we are doing it to ourselves. There is no way to escape it."

Dia says all her choices, be it career or personal, are governed by the good they can do to the society.

"I want to be a part of a conversation which entertains, engages but also give people an opportunity to learn. It will reflect in all my choices be it movies or other things I do,? she says.