Hand In Assignment

NOTE: USE LEARNING ACTIVITY 4 IN THE LEARNING GUIDE TO

HELP YOU WITH THIS CASE STUDY! 

Case Study: Textiles

Action #1: Reduce

1. Do you think that individual consumer reduction in the amount of clothing purchased will sufficiently
address the overall impact of textile production on our environment? Why or why not?

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2. What other solutions might be effective? Explain your ideas.

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3. The ‘Reduce’ principle is an action most likely to occur at the:

a. government level: ________________________________________________________________

b. business/industry level: ____________________________________________________________
c. individual level: __________________________________________________________________

4. How many people are employed in retail industries in Canada? _______________________

5. What effect would reducing consumption have on retail industries in Canada?

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6. How much does the average t-shirt cost at a Fast Fashion store? A more ethical clothing line like
Patagonia, PeopleTree, Toad & Co, or another brand you know?
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 7. Presently, clothing made overseas is far cheaper than clothing made here but the overall
environmental cost of overseas production is far greater than locally-made products. How might
the environmental costs of clothing be made more visible to the consumers here in North
America?
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8. How much carbon is attributed to textile shipping? _________________________________________

9. Would reducing consumption have an impact on CO2 emissions from shipping? Explain your
ideas.

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Action #2: Reuse

1. Identify and briefly explain the main economic problem that has led to the second-hand textile
industry.

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2. Considering your analysis, is the Reuse industry a worthwhile industry?

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3. The ‘Reuse’ principle is an action most likely to occur at the:

a. Government level: _______________________________________________________________

b. Business/industry level: __________________________________________________________
c. Individual level: ________________________________________________________________
Action #3: Recycle
1. Recycling occurs in two ways. The first is by recycling textiles to make new items like carpet or
cloths. The second is to recycle plastics to make textiles. Which do you believe is a better way to
achieve sustainable prosperity? Explain your ideas.

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2. Is there an environmental cost in sending the waste overseas to be recycled?

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3. The ‘Recycle’ principle is an action most likely to occur at the:

a. Government level: _______________________________________________________________

b. Business/industry level: __________________________________________________________
c. Individual level: ________________________________________________________________

Action #4: Refuse

1. What are the environmental consequences of an unregulated textile industry?

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2. What are the economic consequences of regulating the textile industry?

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3. Which parts of the world experience the immediate environmental consequences of this industry?
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4. What consequences might these regions face if regulations are not implemented? (ie. What are the
potential expenses of doing nothing?)

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5. The EU requires manufacturers to disclose to the consumer all chemicals used in the dying process. To
what extent do you think this legislation addresses the problem of water pollution? What further
regulations, if any, do you believe would be more effective?

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6. The ‘Regulate’ principle is an action most likely to occur at the:

a. Government level: _______________________________________________________________
b. Business/industry level: __________________________________________________________
c. Individual level: ________________________________________________________________

The “Refuse” ‘principle is an action most likely to occur at the:

a. Government level: _______________________________________________________________

b. Business/industry level: __________________________________________________________
c. Individual level: ________________________________________________________________

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