Sustainable clothing design: use matters

Laitala, Kirsi; Boks, Casper

doi:10.1504/jdr.2012.046142

Cited by 59 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We have found six studies that report disposal data quantitatively, expressed as a percentage of clothing by reasons for discarding items of clothing [103][104][105][106][107][108]. The distribution between the different reasons for disposal varied between these studies.…”

Section: Clothing Lifespansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type

2018

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Several tools have been developed to compare the environmental impact of textiles. The most widely used are Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) and MADE-BY Fiber Benchmark. They use data from production to evaluate the environmental impacts of textiles differentiated by fiber type. The use phase is excluded from both tools. This article discusses whether there is evidence that the use of textiles differs systematically between different fiber types and examines the consequences of comparing the environmental impacts of clothing based on differences in production of fibers alone without including differences in their use. The empirical material in this paper is based on analysis of rating tools and a literature review on clothing use. It shows that fiber content contributes to the way consumers take care of and use their clothing. When use is omitted, major environmental problems associated with this stage, such as spread of microplastics, are also excluded. This one-sided focus on material production impacts also excludes the importance of product lifespans, quality, and functionality. The consequence is that short-lived disposable products are equated with durable products. Comparing dissimilar garments will not help consumers to make choices that will reduce the environmental burden of clothing. We need an informed discussion on how to use all materials in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.

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Section: Clothing Lifespansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type

2018

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“…A lot of garments are still binned if the user feels that they are of no use to others, either because of wear and tear, stains, other damages, or because of change in fashion trends (Ekström et al, 2012;Ungerth and Carlsson, 2011). Studies on clothing disposal reasons have shown that wear and tear, size and fit issues, taste related issues, as well as fashion are the main drivers for clothing disposal, although the importance of these reasons varies between the different studies (Domina and Koch, 1999;Klepp, 2001;Laitala and Boks, 2012;Ungerth and Carlsson, 2011).…”

Section: Disposal Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…But what little we know about these flows, is both that the private sharing forms are far larger in volume and that they also have a greater environmental potential. The same of course goes for private recycling, repair and reuse (Laitala and Boks 2012). Unfortunately no comparative studies between the Nordic countries have been made within these areas.…”

Section: Little Knowledge On Activities That Do Not Involve Moneymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable textile initiatives and suggestions for a Nordic Roadmap

Klepp¹,

Laitala²,

Schragger³

et al. 2014

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“…It is well documented that textile products generate deleterious human health and environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle, from raw material cultivation to the disposal of finished goods (Gam and Banning 2011;Gam et al 2009;Giudice et al 2005;Laitala and Boks 2012;Niinimäki and Hassi 2011;Stegall 2006). Such deleterious impacts often involve inputs and outcomes specific to chemical use, indoor air quality, and energy and water consumption.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, desizing, scouring, bleaching, mercerising, dyeing, printing, and finishing during the textile manufacturing process requires vast amounts of water, and subsequently generates significant amounts of wastewater and the need for water recovery systems (Chen and Burns 2006). The growing demand for and overconsumption of textile products, and the amount of energy and water used to care for these products, further contribute to the aggregate impact on human health and the environment (Chen and Burns 2006;Hu 2012;Laitala and Boks 2012;Laitala et al 2011;Saxce et al 2012). Over the past 20 years, the increased number of inexpensive home furnishing retailers in the marketplace (e.g., IKEA, Home Goods) and the growing merchandise assortments in home furnishing found among mass merchandisers, such as Walmart and Target, has heightened consumer demand for fast furnishings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploration of designers’ perspectives on human health and environmental impacts of interior textiles

Calamari

Hyllegard

2016

Text Cloth Sustain

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Fast fashion and fast furnishings contribute to the unsustainability of the textile industry in multiple ways, and the deleterious impacts of fast furnishings, in particular, have encouraged some companies to embrace more holistic and sustainable approaches to interior textile design. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore designers' perspectives on if and how decisions made during the design process for interior textiles may impact human health and the environment throughout the product life cycle, and if and how these decisions may be influenced by the engagement with and/or responsibilities toward stakeholders. This research was informed by multiple frameworks, including the design for the environment (DfE), product life cycle assessment (LCA), and stakeholder theory. Data were collected using an interpretive, qualitative research method that involved in-depth interviews with 12 US designers/design managers who specialize in the development of residential and/or commercial interior textiles. Findings revealed that participants demonstrated professional understanding of human health and environmental issues during the preliminary stages of the life cycle, including raw material selection, textile fabrication, and finishes and treatments, whereas understanding of such issues at the later stages of the life cycle (packaging and transportation, consumer care, and post use) tended to be more theoretical rather than strategic. Findings also revealed differences among designers employed by DfE-oriented companies and designers employed at more conventional companies with respect to their apparent understanding of how decisions made during the design process may impact human health and the environment throughout the product life cycle. This research contributes to our understanding of the role that designers may play in mitigating the negative impacts of interior textiles throughout the product life cycle. A limitation of this study is the size of the sample; conclusions are based upon the insights gained from 12 designers of interior textile products, and thus may not be generalizable to all designers/companies in the residential and/or commercial interior textile industry.

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Sustainable clothing design: use matters

Cited by 59 publications

References 19 publications

Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type

Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type

Sustainable textile initiatives and suggestions for a Nordic Roadmap

An exploration of designers’ perspectives on human health and environmental impacts of interior textiles

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