MDT “Sustainable textiles”
SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES
Antonela Curteza
”Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Textiles - Leather and Industrial Management B-dul. D. Mangeron Nr. 67, 700050, Iasi, Romania
Keywords: sustainability, eco, impact, environment, fibers, textiles, biodegradability, green, chemistry, finishing, supply chain, life cycle, testing, standards, eco-labels, challenges.
Abstract
Textile and fashion products are manufactured, distributed, sold and used worldwide, so the textile and fashion industry have a major impact on the environment. Environmental issues are playing an increasingly important role. The analysis of sustainability in this context is therefore extremely important. The training material entitled “Sustainable textiles” is a compilation of scientific, technical, economical, and environmental data of the various processes (from different publications and reports) and presents different aspects of the sustainable development of textiles. It is structured in eight major sections: 1. Sustainability - concepts and definitions: where are presented general aspects about sustainability and in particular about the textile and fashion industry sustainability. 2. Textiles and fashion impacts: some general considerations regarding the impacts, the textile processes and their impact, Clean by Design, and several aspects about how textile and fashion industry could become green. 3. Eco fibres and textiles: focused on natural fibres, man-made fibres, innovations linked with eco-friendly fibres, biodegradable and sustainable fibres. 4. Environmental aspects of textile finishing: includes some general considerations and problems regarding dyeing, dyes, eco finishing and ther impact on the environment. 5. Green chemistry and the textile industry: in this chapter are presented aspects about green chemistry, its principles, non-eco-friendly substances and green chemicals. 6. Tools in assessing the sustainability: the main tools presented are Sustainable Textile Production (STeP), The Higg Index, The sustainable apparel index, which are completed with some aspects regarding standard test methods used for sustainability and eco labels. 7. Life cycle analysis: with general aspects regarding the supply chain, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and techniques used in LCA.
MDT »Sustainable textiles« Sustainable textiles
8. The consumer and future challenges: the final considerations and aspects presented are linked with the consumers and their attitude regarding the sustainability, and future challenges regarding sustainable textiles.
1 SUSTAINABILITY – CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
Environmental issues are playing an increasingly important role in the textile industry, both from the point of view of government regulation and consumer expectations.
Almost everywhere in the world and in all industries, the sustainability movement has been manifested. In this context, it has to be mentioned that the textile industry is one of the biggest polluters. Sustainable textiles have grown in popularity because of the moral consciousness that many people feel, among others. A number of fashion and design companies are shifting their unsustainable ways also [1].
1.1 About sustainability
Sustainability is a systemic concept, relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society. It is intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals indefinitely. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet.
Sustainability may be described as our responsibility to proceed in a way that w