Sustainability in my GCSE Textiles Work Web-sites to research /

You need to have a slide that covers a range of sustainable and environmentally good research and solutions in your work. What can you do? First place an introduction on the slide, why you have decided to introduce this topic into your work. You need to say this in your own words: Message one - An increasing amount of waste is generated each year from textiles and their production. For economic and environmental reasons it is necessary that as much of this waste as possible is recycled instead of being disposed of in landfill sites. In reality the rate of textile recycling is still relatively low. On average, approximately ten million tonnes of textile waste is currently dumped in Europe and America each year. Considering the diversity of fibrous waste and structures, many technologies must work in concert in an integrated industry in order to increase the rate of recycling. Recycling in textiles shows how this can be achieved.

Message two - There are more reported cases of people experiencing health problems such as rashes, allergies, respiratory problems and difficulties with focusing mentally due to chemical sensitivities and many have found organic clothing to be helpful in reducing exposure to the vast amount of toxic chemicals we are unknowingly exposed to on a daily basis. Message three - Textile dyes enhance our environment, bringing colour into our lives. The current range of dyes have been developed to withstand environmental effects, such as degradation by exposure to light and water. However, the industry involved with the application of dyes to textiles has a responsibility to ensure that potential for harm to the environment, for example through residues in waste-streams, and to the consumer is minimised. Written by an international team of contributors, this collection reviews current legislation and key technologies which make textile dyeing more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Message four - With increasing concerns regarding the effect the textile industry is having on the environment, more and more textile researchers, producers and manufacturers are looking to biodegradable and sustainable fibres as an effective way of reducing the impact textiles have on the environment. The emphasis in Biodegradable and sustainable fibres is on textiles that are beneficial by their biodegradation and come from sustainable sources. Biodegradable and sustainable fibres opens with a discussion of microbial processes in fibre degradation. It then moves on to discuss the major fibre types, including bast fibres, alginates, cellulose and speciality biodegradable fibres, such as lyocell, poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s. The development of synthetic silks is covered along with biodegradable natural fibre composites, nonwovens, and geotextiles. The final chapter looks at the history and future of soya bean protein fibres.

Message four - More from the Design Academy Eindhoven graduation show: Greetje van Tiem, a graduate from the academy’s Man and Leisure department, presents a project that turns old newspapers into yarn that can be woven into carpets, curtains and upholstery.Greetje van Tiem

Message four – Gary Harvey - I believe we can contribute to an ethical fashion revolution. By sourcing fabrics and raw materials that have literally been thrown away, you can look good and be good too. Too many garments are deemed aesthetically redundant and discarded at the end of a season, when there are still many years of wear left”.

Message five - Every design decision can be – should be – informed by thinking of the consequences both now and for future generations Message six - Possible suggestions uses only recycled or reused textiles keeps waste to a minimum by careful measurement and patterning uses only recycled or reused accessories (e.g. buttons, belt, zip) can be easily taken apart and reused at end of life uses only natural materials uses materials that have been sourced locally uses a design with a sustainability message uses minimum energy in making. Using the eco-indicator Identify all of a product’s component parts through disassembly and weigh them (it’s only realistic to use this tool with products that can be easily disassembled). Identify all transport and energy used in the production phase. Identify all the environmental impacts in disposal (landfill and recycling). Write each element down in the correct section of the table (there is a downloadable version at Find the eco-indicator value for each element (use and multiply by its weight to give eco-points. Total the points for each lifecycle phase to find the greatest environmental impact. Discuss potential areas for reducing the impact in redesign. There is some maths involved with this process. Some teachers have done most of the maths for their pupils, or have carried it out as a class to help the less confident. Most teachers only use the eco-indicator at post-16 level, often only at A2.