Unit 4 Lecture 23 Topic 1 Flashcards
What are the environmental costs associated with clothing and textile production?
Energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of natural resources, water use, hazardous chemicals, and waste.
What are the social costs associated with clothing and textile production?
Labour conditions and off-shore consequential distance.
How are chemicals involved in fibre production?
Chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides are used in the growth and cultivation of natural fibres. Water waste, soil erosions, and chemicals are found in waste-water due to these farming practices.
How does the cleaning of natural fibres affect the environment?
A range of toxic chemicals are used to clean the fibres.
How does scouring affect the environment?
For more intense cleaning, use of NaOH or alternative enzyme treatments may be used. This is toxic.
How does bleaching affect the environment?
Chlorine based bleaches are highly effective, but even more harmful than hydrogen peroxide.
How does spinning affect the environment?
Chemical auxiliaries are used for lubrication of fibres for spinning. In these mineral oils, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons are pollutants to aquatic life.
How does weaving affect the environment?
Sizing agents are applied to warp yarns in order to prevent yarn breakage during weaving must be removed before further fabric processing.
How does dyeing affect the environment?
Many emissions, colours and potential pollutants are leaked into the water system.
How do plant fibres affect the environment?
Their cultivation requires extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers which drain into runoff water. These crops require a large amount of water to grow and cotton dust harms the farmers.
How do wool fibres affect the environment?
Soil erosion occurs in overgrazed sheep fields, and the animal waste contaminates runoff. Wool requires extensive cleaning, and sheep produce methane. There are also concerns for animal welfare.
How does viscose rayon affect the environment?
Because it is commonly used in sanitary products, it is not usually recycled. Rayon is typically made from tress, leading to deforestation. The harsh chemicals used in preparation and processing can contribute to air and water pollution.
How does Tencel (lyocell) affect the environment?
Tencel is a more environmentally friendly version of rayon where low amounts of toxic chemicals are used in a closed loop system.
How do nylon and polyester production affect the environment?
They are both made from non-renewable, non-biodegradable petroleum resources that require a lot of energy and water. Their production can lead to an accumulation of microfibres/microplastics in the environment through air pollution and waterway leakage during the manufacturing process.
Sustainability:
Practices and policies that reduce environmental pollution, do not exploit people or natural resources in meeting the lifestyle needs of the present, and do not compromise the future.
