Environmental Sustainability in the Textile and Apparel Industry

Kellie Raddatz

Brief History
The problem of environmental sustainability began with the need for fast fashion What took six months, now take merely weeks to turn fashions and retailers use the most efficient way to compete, which isnt always the most sustainable

Chemical Use
Chemicals are used in textiles for dyes and finishes Chemicals include, but are not limited to chlorine, lead, alkylphenolethoxylates, pentachlorophenol, arsenic, sulfuric acid, methanol, salt and dioxin Chemicals are harmful to the environment and to humans by being toxic, cancer causing, and causing neurological problems Some laws protect childrens products when it comes to chemicals, but this needs to be extended to other products

Chemical Use: What Can be Done?

Detox Campaign created by Greenpeace More laws regulating chemical use in products Naturally colored cotton Natural dyes

Fossil Fuel Emissions

The textile industry is the 5th largest contributor to CO2 in the United States Contributing to global warming and the deterioration of the ozone layer

Fossil Fuel Emissions: What Can be Done?

Using solar and wind energy Using natural fibers which are less energy intensive Organic agriculture

Water Usage
13 trillion gallons of water used by US industry each year Water usage, mostly for dyeing, pollutes the water and makes it unsuitable for use 1/3 of the Chinese population does not have access to clean drinking water

Water Usage: What Can be Done?

Detox Campaign by Greenpeace ColorZen Technology
Cotton

DyeCoo Textile Systems

Polyester

Materials
Cotton
Heavy water usage Soil erosion

Wool
Overgrazing Disposal of animal waste Energy and chemicals to clean

Synthetics
Uses petrochemicals Greenhouse gases

Best Materials to Use

Corn polymer Hemp Cotton with ColorZen Technology Polyester with DyeCoo Textile Systems

Pollution
Landfills
1 million tons of textiles thrown away every year

Oceans
Microplastics found on beaches

Pollution Solution
Using natural fibers Recycling programs for synthetics Reusing or repurposing old garments

Employment in the Field

Technology
Finding new fibers Finding new production methods

Waste Management
Removal of harmful chemicals Landfill management Restoration of oceans

Importance of Environmental Sustainability

Awareness is increasing Protection of:
Environment People Future Generations