Environmental factors Flashcards
Why do textiles products have a large impact on the environment?
Because at every stage of the products lifestyle energy and resources are used and waste is produced, the energy used makes the textiles industry have a large carbon footprint
Why is dying and finishing bad for the environment?
They use lots of chemicals, i.e. chemical dyes, resins to make fabrics shrink proof, softeners to improve the feel of the fabric
The processes also require energy to drive the machinery and they use and contaminate large volumes of water
What are the 8 possible solutions to the environmental effects of finishing and dyeing processes?
Using cold water dyes (or other dyes that use less energy)
Using renewable energy
Reducing the use of dark dyes because they need to be rinsed many times
Using natural dyes from plants and insects
Using naturally coloured yarns so that dyes don’t have to be used
Developing finishing processes that use less energy
Using fabrics that already have the properties given by finishing
Using biomass to produce biofuels for transportation
How can biotechnology help reduce some of the environmental issues surrounding textiles?
It means that natural dyes and fibres can be used (instead of using chemicals) without reducing natural reserves by growing materials in a lab, i.e. victimless leather. But this is only a possibility that scientists are exploring
How can energy be reduced in laundry and after care?
By creating fabrics and clothing that are durable and easy to care for and repair
Providing more information to the consumer about product care
Producing clothes that can be washed at low temperatures
Avoiding fabrics that are dry clean on,h
Using fabrics that you don’t have to iron
How can you reduce the waste of off cuts and other textiles?
By using computerised lay planning and pattern cutting
By using fabrics scraps within automotive industry or to produce emergency relief blankets
By looking at ways to use waste to make new products (i.e. MUJI)
How can the environmental impact of designing be reduced?
Designing for durability, comfort and function rather than fashion
Design reusable products
Source local materials to cut down on transportation
How can the environmental impact of fabrics be reduced?
Consider the specification of fabric (I.e. organic) and colours (less dyeing, printing and finishing)
Avoiding fabrics that need dry cleaning or special care
Consider recycled materials
How can the environmental impact of components be reduced?
Check what they are made from and how they are used (many zips and buckles are electroplated to stop rusting which produces toxic sludge)
Reduce components used
Consider using recycled components
How can the environmental impact of production be reduced?
Use reusable pattern blocks
Minimise fabric and yarn wastage
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Kyoto protocol)
How can the environmental impact of the end use of products be reduced?
By providing clear aftercare instructions
Include labels that say how to recycle
Donate or resell items after they have been used
What is primary recycling?
Reusing a product in its current state (charity shops, clothing banks)
What is physical/secondary recycling?
The shredding, melting or grinding of a product before it is reused (old woollen garments can be shredded and reused as stuffing in bedding or industrial felting)
What is chemical or tertiary recycling?
When products are broken down and reformukated, like when PET plastic bottles are broken into fibres and spun into polyester to make fleeces and duvets
Why is recycling important?
Because energy needs to be saved, so do raw materials and it reduces the need to manufacture new products
