Textiles and the environmentTextiles and the environment

Textiles products have a large Textiles products have a large impact on the environment as impact on the environment as

energy and resources are used in energy and resources are used in production, and waste is producedproduction, and waste is produced

Manufacturing TextilesManufacturing TextilesDyeing and finishing of Dyeing and finishing of fabrics uses a lot of fabrics uses a lot of chemicals such aschemicals such asChemical dyesChemical dyesResins to make fabrics Resins to make fabrics shrink proofshrink proofSofteners to make fabrics Softeners to make fabrics soft.soft.These produce a lot of These produce a lot of chemical waste and also chemical waste and also energy is needed to drive energy is needed to drive machinery and lots of machinery and lots of water is used and it is water is used and it is often contaminated.often contaminated.

Possible solutions include Possible solutions include using cold water dyes as using cold water dyes as this requires less energythis requires less energyUsing renewable energies Using renewable energies such as wind and solar.such as wind and solar.Reducing the need for very Reducing the need for very dark dyes as these need a dark dyes as these need a lot of rinsinglot of rinsingUsing natural dyesUsing natural dyesUsing naturally coloured Using naturally coloured yarns such as cotton.yarns such as cotton.Trying finishes that require Trying finishes that require less energyless energyUsing fabrics that have Using fabrics that have natural shrink resistant natural shrink resistant properties.properties.

SustainabilitySustainabilityNatural fibres and dyes need to come from Natural fibres and dyes need to come from sustainable sources, that is sources that sustainable sources, that is sources that can be carefully managed so that plants can be carefully managed so that plants and animals are replaced. As collecting and animals are replaced. As collecting large amounts of wild life is reducing our large amounts of wild life is reducing our natural reserves and in some cases can natural reserves and in some cases can lead to extinction.lead to extinction.

Scientists are exploring ways of producing Scientists are exploring ways of producing victimless leather in a lab from cells. This victimless leather in a lab from cells. This is called biotechnology.is called biotechnology.

Laundry and aftercareLaundry and aftercareMost textiles products need cleaning and Most textiles products need cleaning and maintaining. This is usually done through maintaining. This is usually done through washing.washing.Energy is used in washing processes-Energy is used in washing processes-So create fabrics and clothing that are more easy So create fabrics and clothing that are more easy to care fro.to care fro.Give more info on labels so consumers can take Give more info on labels so consumers can take better care of the fabricsbetter care of the fabricsMake products that can be washed at low Make products that can be washed at low temperatures.temperatures.Avoid using fabrics that need dry cleaning.Avoid using fabrics that need dry cleaning.Also look in fabrics that don’t need ironing.Also look in fabrics that don’t need ironing.

Waste textilesWaste textilesOff cuts and waste textiles need to Off cuts and waste textiles need to be disposed of. There are ways of be disposed of. There are ways of reusing and reducing this wastereusing and reducing this wasteTo use computerised lay planning to To use computerised lay planning to reduce the wastereduce the wasteUse fabric scraps within the Use fabric scraps within the automotive industry or for automotive industry or for emergency blankets.emergency blankets.Look into ways of using the waste.Look into ways of using the waste.

Design ObsolescenceDesign Obsolescence

The fashion industry encourages us The fashion industry encourages us to update our fashions and old to update our fashions and old clothes that are still in good clothes that are still in good condition remain used.condition remain used.

This leads to goods being obsolete.This leads to goods being obsolete.

Fashion industry need to be more Fashion industry need to be more responsible in their designing.responsible in their designing.

DisposalDisposalThe way in which a product is disposed of The way in which a product is disposed of at the end of its life cycle is critical.at the end of its life cycle is critical.If the products are thrown into the bin If the products are thrown into the bin they will end up in a landfill site or be they will end up in a landfill site or be burnt.burnt.By following the following methods we can By following the following methods we can prevent waste and save energy.prevent waste and save energy.We can also reuse and reinvent them We can also reuse and reinvent them through buying good in charity shops or through buying good in charity shops or simply reusing what we have.simply reusing what we have.