Environmental Factors

Question 1

give some ways that manufacturing textiles can affect the environment

Answer 1

Dying and finishing uses lots of chemicals and causes chemical waste
A lot of energy is required to drive the machinery
textile production can use and contaminate large volumes of water

Question 2

Why is it not sustainable to throw textiles away as refuse

Answer 2

Because the raw materials being used to make the materials are wasted and could eventually run out

Question 3

Give one reason why textile products continue to have an impact on the environment after purchase

Answer 3

They require washing and ironing which causes waste and uses up energy

Question 4

What is design Obsolescence and what problems are caused by it

Answer 4

The fashion industry wants people to update their wardrobe and buy new clothes even though there is nothing wrong with their own ones, just because they are out of fashion or DESIGN OBSOLETE this causes dreadful waste

Question 5

Designer responsibility - How can designers help reduce environmental waste

Answer 5

Design products that are durable (long lasting) and comfortable rather than just fashionable
Design products that are reusable rather than disposable
try to source local materials to cut down on transportation

Question 6

Describe the 3 main types of recycling

Answer 6

Primary - re-using textiles in its current state, e.g. clothes to the charity shop
Physical/secondary - the product is torn or shredded before being re-used e.g. as stuffing in bedding
Chemical or tertiary - a product is broken down e.g. plastic bottles can be broken into fibers and spun into polyester to make fleeces

Question 7

What are 3 key reasons to recycle

Answer 7

Save energy
save raw materials
reduce the need to make new products

Question 8

What are the 6 R’s of recycling

Answer 8

Recycle
reuse
Reduce
Refuse - to buy products that are not reusable
rethink - think about design
repair

Question 9

What can old woolen garments be recycled as

Answer 9

shredded and used as bedding or industrial felting

Question 10

What are fairtrade items

Answer 10

The fairtrade mark is a guarantee to consumers that the farmers or workers have been paid a fair and stable price for their goods or labour which covers the cost of sustainable production

Question 11

What does FSC stand for

Answer 11

Forestry Stewardship Council - applies to wood and fibre that come from forests that are managed to meet the ecological needs of this and future generations