Environmental Effects Flashcards
What happens at every stage of a products life cycle?
- Energy and resources are used
- Waste is produced
Define Carbon Footprint
A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide produced directly or indirectly by an individual or product.
Give 3 examples of chemicals used in dyeing and finishing processes
- Chemical dyes
- Resins to make fabrics shrink proof
- Softeners to improve the feel of the fabric
Give some examples of solutions for reducing environmental problems in the textiles industry
- Using cold water dyes or dyes that require less energy
- Using renewable sources of energy e.g. wind turbines
- Using natural dyes from plants and insects
- Use biomass (organic waste) to produce biofuels for transportation
- Using fabrics that already have the properties needed e.g. lyocell is resistant to shrinkage and wrinkling
- Use naturally coloured yarns e.g. cotton to eliminate the dye process completely
What is a sustainable source?
Sources that are carefully managed so that plants and animals are replaced.
Scientists use biotechnology to produce natural materials without the use of plants and animals. GIVE one example of this and the name of this process.
“victimless leather” is “grown” from cells in a laboratory. The name for this is biotechnology.
How can energy be reduced in laundry and aftercare?
- Creating fabrics and clothing that are durable and easy to care for and repair (I.e. have a longer life span).
- Providing Information to the consumer to enable them to care for the product effectively
- Producing clothes and textiles products that can be washed at low temperatures or in cold water
- Avoiding fabrics that are dry-clean only
- Using fabrics that require little or no ironing
Give 2 methods of reusing and reducing waste?
- Use computerised lay planning and pattern cutting to rescue the waste material
- Use fabric scraps within the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY or to produce products such as emergency relief blankets
What is Primary Recycling?
The textile product can be reused in its current state e.g. by taking clothes to charity shops
What is Secondary (or physical) recycling?
The product is torn, shredded, melted or ground before being used e.g. for bed stuffing
What is Tertiary (or chemical) recycling?
Products can be broken down and reformulated e.g. PER plastic bottles can be broken down into fibres and then spun into polyester to make fleeces and culverts
What are the Key Reasons to Recycle?
- save energy
- save raw materials
- reduce the need to manufacture new products (recycling often uses less energy)
What is the ETI?
The Ethical Trading Initiative is a group of companies, charities and organisations that work towards improving conditions in global supply chains.
What does the FSC stand for and do?
Forestry Stewardship Council
Applies to wood and wood products (e.g. paper fibres) to assure customers that the wood comes from forests that are managed to meet social, economic and ecological needs or present and future generations.
What’s the guarantee of the FAIRTRADE Mark?
It gives guarantee to consumers that the farmers and workers have been paid a fair and stable price which covers the cost of sustainable production.
