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The Use of Recycled Fibers in Fashion and Home Products
Abstract
As the textile, apparel, fashion, and retail industries move to become more sustainable, an area of interest is the use of recycled fiber, yarn, fabric, and product content in the development and production of new products. The decision to use recycled materials in products must occur during design and product development and continue throughout the manufacturing processes. There are several recognized stages in recycling collection, processing, and then use in a new product. Recycled materials used in textile and apparel products can be obtained throughout the textile and apparel supply chain and post-consumer collection methods. The use of recycled raw materials aligns with the larger movements of global industries toward a circular economy (vs. linear) and working to achieve a closed-loop production cycle. This chapter reviews the textile and apparel industry, factors that have influenced the generation and use of waste and recycling processes currently used today. Selected brands that have programs and products that contain recycled content are identified here.
... As the current literature states currently there are several barriers towards textile and apparel recycling, these include separation of blends, separation of additives & trims, restoration of quality and ensuring all processes are sustainable (Leonas, 2017). Globally an estimated 92 million tons of textiles go to landfill and pose a serious threat to recycling with the problem exacerbated by the mixtures of various natural and synthetic fibres making recycling difficult (Khairul Akter et al., 2022;QUT, 2024).Separating blended fabrics, additives and trims complicates the recycling process which is not only difficult and requires special processes especially towards removal of chemicals and hazardous substances from materials (Maria & Hanna, 2016).Restoration of fiber quality is also difficult during disassembly and recyclable material quality is severely degraded. ...
... Sustainable brands specially in sports and luxury by incorporating circular economy in their production process are utilizing and minimizing waste. Nike reduces waste during production awhile brands like DavyJ, Patagonia and Levis use garbage to convert into feasible apparel (Leonas, 2017;Moorhouse & Moorhouse, 2017;Nayak et al., 2019). Designers like Dame Vivienne Westwood's are also pushing the sustainability agenda by advising consumers to buy less, choose well and make their clothing last. ...
The textile and apparel (T&A) industry is one of the most crucial customer merchandise industries with a long supply chain regarded as one of the world's most polluting industries, especially when it accounts for the immense usage of natural resources, usage of hazardous raw materials, air and water pollution, and high carbon imprint. Circular economy principles are rooted in principles of environmental science and concepts of sustainable development which is why the textile and clothing manufacturing supply chain needs to start by not only controlling the pace of fashion but focusing on processes right from fiber manufacturing, production , textile wet processing, dyeing, finishing sizing, apparel manufacturing, retail, disposal, and recycling focusing on three specific areas to incorporate circular economy principles in the supply chain. These would be 1) the development of new business models increasing the timespan of clothing, 2) environmentally safe and renewable resources, and 4) recycling and upcycling solutions.
... 2,3 Reducing use of new raw materials and turning these wastes into new products offer many benefits such as lower carbon dioxide emission during the landfilling, reduced natural resources consumption, reduced waste disposal, and longer product life. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The two most common forms of recycled synthetics are recycled polyester and recycled polyamide. Polyamide, the first synthetic polymer introduced to the market, is commonly used in a wide range of applications from apparels, ropes, carpets, to technical textile applications. ...
... In order to achieve the required material properties and performance, recycled fibers can be blended with virgin fibers. 5,6,[14][15][16] Nowadays, some brands, such as Econyl, Repreve, Amni Soul Eco®, Batoko have focused on promoting the use of recycled synthetic fibers in swimwear design to reduce the environmental impact of synthetics. 16,17 In this study, the effect of recycled fiber content on the performance/quality properties of swimwear fabrics was investigated, with the aim of contributing to the circular economy. ...
Due to the decrease in natural resources all over the world and the increase in global CO2 emissions, which make the biggest contribution to global warming and climate change, the use of recycled materials has gained great importance in the textile industry, as in other application areas. Reducing the use of new raw materials and producing products from old raw materials not only minimizes environmental impacts such as lower CO2 emissions during the landfilling, reduced consumption of natural resources, reduced waste disposal, but also reduces costs and provides a longer product life. This study investigates the effect of recycled polyester fiber on the performance/quality properties of swimwear fabrics. Swimwear fabric samples were produced from 100% recycled polyester, 50% recycled polyester/50% polyamide, 100% polyester and 100% polyamide, and tested in terms of bursting strength, seam strength, abrasion resistance, air permeability and color fastness properties.
... Developed countries also adopted more and more advanced machinery to automate textile recycling or produce recycled textiles using non-textile waste such as plastic bottles [32,33]. Nevertheless, cutting and sewing recycled yarns and fabrics into a finished garment could remain labor intensive, with no significant difference from making regular new clothing, even in developed countries [34]. ...
... In comparison, clothing items imported from America (i.e., Assortment diversity = 4.4 and Product sophistication = 1.6) and Africa (i.e., Assortment diversity = 1.1 and Product sophistication = 1.1) had limited assortment choices or focused on relatively simple products (i.e., T-shirts, and hosiery) only. Based on the results, a country or region's production capacity for regular new clothing seems to affect its product offer for clothing made from recycled textile materials, given that many production procedures and technical requirements of the two were similar [34,35]. ...
This study explored U.S. retailers’ sourcing patterns for clothing made from recycled textile materials. Based on a statistical analysis of over 3000 such clothing items for sale in the U.S. retail market from January 2019 to August 2022 at the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) level, the study found that U.S. retailers adopted a diverse sourcing base for clothing made from recycled textile materials, covering developed and developing economies worldwide. Additionally, an exporting country’s economic development level and geographic location had statistically significant impacts on U.S. retailers’ sourcing patterns for clothing made from recycled textile materials regarding assortment diversity, product sophistication, market segments, and pricing. The study’s findings revealed the broad supply base for clothing made from recycled textile materials and suggested promising sourcing opportunities for such products. The findings also indicated that sourcing clothing made from recycled textile materials may help U.S. retailers achieve business benefits beyond the positive environmental impacts.
... A reciclagem desses produtos é comumente realizada de forma mecânica para a produção de novos plásticos (reciclagem em circuito fechado). No entanto, o material também pode ser utilizado em diferentes indústrias, como a têxtil [4,5], a de combustíveis [6] e a de materiais de ...
... A reciclagem desses produtos é comumente realizada de forma mecânica para a produção de novos plásticos (reciclagem em circuito fechado). No entanto, o material também pode ser utilizado em diferentes indústrias, como a têxtil [4,5], a de combustíveis [6] e a de materiais de Secretaría by Grupo Elis www.cilaxxi.uy cila2022@grupoelis.com.uy ...
Resumo As indústrias de plásticos e de pavimentos asfálticos têm demonstrado um interesse crescente na reciclagem de resíduos plásticos. Estudos apontam que a utilização desses resíduos como modificadores de ligantes asfálticos pode proporcionar melhorias nas propriedades do ligante, benefícios econômicos e contribuir para a promoção da sustentabilidade. Assim, essa pesquisa avalia o efeito do resíduo de polietileno tereftalato oriundo de reciclagem química (RPET) em características físicas e reológicas de um CAP 50/70. Ensaios foram conduzidos no ligante modificados em seus estados virgem e envelhecido a curto e a longo prazos. Os resultados indicam que a adição do RPET no cimento asfáltico reduziu a sensibilidade à temperatura e melhorou as propriedades reológicas do cimento asfáltico, resultando em ligantes com maiores resistências à deformação permanente e à fadiga. Em particular, houve um maior ganho nessas propriedades para o teor de 8% de RPET. Conclui-se que além de tecnicamente eficaz, a incorporação do RPET como modificador de ligante é uma abordagem inovadora para lidar com o problema de disposição ambientalmente correta do resíduo, gerando um ganho ambiental.
... In contrast, the closed-loop approach ensures sustainable recycling without material degradation. The used product is transformed back into raw material, enabling its reuse in the production of the same item (Leonas, 2017). ...
This study investigates the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and the subsequent shift towards a more sustainable model. The ecological, economic, and social implications of this sector have fostered an increase in consumer awareness, prompting a demand for a more circular system. The concept of circular fashion, which promotes a closed-loop approach with an emphasis on recycled materials, has emerged as a key solution. However, the consumer perceptions of products made from recycled materials in the fashion industry remains relatively unexplored, necessitating an examination of potential barriers. By employing both model analysis and cluster analysis techniques, this research sheds light on the primary variables that significantly influence consumer attitudes and purchase intentions towards such products with a particular emphasis on performance risk. Moreover, the identification of four distinct consumer groups holds crucial implications for the development of targeted marketing strategies.
... Additionally, Pure Waste Textiles creates fabrics using 100% recycled materials sourced from garment factory waste. These companies exemplify the growing trend toward sustainable practices in the textile industry [584,585]. ...
The growing environmental impact of textile waste, fueled by the rapid rise in global fiber production, underscores the urgent need for sustainable end-of-life solutions. This review explores cutting-edge pathways for textile waste management, spotlighting innovations that reduce reliance on incineration and landfilling while driving material circularity. It highlights advancements in collection, sorting, and pretreatment technologies, as well as both established and emerging recycling methods. Smart collection systems utilizing tags and sensors show great promise in streamlining logistics by automating pick-up routes and transactions. For sorting, automated technologies like near-infrared and hyperspectral imaging lead the way in accurate and scalable fiber separation. Automated disassembly techniques are effective at removing problematic elements, though other pretreatments, such as color and finish removal, still need to be customized for specific waste streams. Mechanical fiber recycling is ideal for textiles with strong mechanical properties but has limitations, particularly with blended fabrics, and cannot be repeated endlessly. Polymer recycling—through melting or dissolving waste polymers—produces higher-quality recycled materials but comes with high energy and solvent demands. Chemical recycling, especially solvolysis and pyrolysis, excels at breaking down synthetic polymers like polyester, with the potential to yield virgin-quality monomers. Meanwhile, biological methods, though still in their infancy, show promise for recycling natural fibers like cotton and wool. When other methods are not viable, gasification can be used to convert waste into synthesis gas. The review concludes that the future of sustainable textile recycling hinges on integrating automated sorting systems and advancing solvent-based and chemical recycling technologies. These innovations, supported by eco-design principles, progressive policies, and industry collaboration, are essential to building a resilient, circular textile economy.
... Dahmus and Gutowski (2007) and Noor et al. (2020) note that many different types of materials can be recycled, such as metals, plastics, clothing and biological materials such as food waste. These materials are processed to then be converted into materials to produce new products (Leonas 2017). Recycling does not fit exactly into the circular economy, as certain products can only be reused or transformed a number of times; therefore, in some instances, it is not circular (Morseletto 2020). ...
... resulted in the development of environmentally sustainable kni ing fibers, which are characterized by a low carbon footprint and a foundation in the circular economy. These fibers are derived from natural waste, like pineapple leaves, and recycled plastics, such as bo les or marine waste [10]. Technical fibers can add functionality by providing antimicrobial properties, water repellency, fire resistance, and durability. ...
Three-dimensional knitted uppers for footwear enhance ergonomic properties and fit compared to conventional flat panels. The knitting process for these elements represents a bottleneck in footwear production because flat-knitting machines must knit the uppers individually, which limits production capacity. This study explores ways to optimize knitting processes for 3D uppers. The focus is on reducing production time while maintaining product quality, ensuring a precise fit, and minimizing material waste. A series of experiments conducted on a base sneaker model implemented techniques to streamline knitting operations. These techniques were later adapted to other footwear types, including ankle boots, loafers, and sandals, to meet the unique requirements of each design. These optimizations include replacing traditional operations, such as overlocking or stitch decreases, with more efficient methods, such as open loops, as well as eliminating costly-to-manufacture elements. The results show significant reductions in production time while maintaining the fit and functional integrity of the uppers. These findings demonstrate both the technical feasibility and economic impact of these optimizations, offering valuable insights for the large-scale adoption of knitting technology in the footwear industry.
... The fashion industry, historically reliant on synthetic fibers derived from virgin plastics, is increasingly adopting recycled materials to reduce its environmental impact [283,284]. Adidas has been a leader in this area, partnering with Parley for the Oceans to create footwear and apparel made from ocean plastic waste [285]. The company's Parley Ocean Plastic line uses recycled plastic recovered from marine environments to produce highperformance sportswear, showcasing the potential for recycling technologies to address both plastic pollution and material sourcing challenges. ...
Innovation in plastic waste recycling technologies is essential for tackling the environmental challenges of plastic pollution. Traditional plastic waste management strategies, such as landfill disposal and mechanical recycling, are increasingly recognized as insufficient for addressing the problem’s complexity and scale. This review highlights advanced methods that transform plastic waste into valuable resources, aligning with circular economy principles. I focus on cutting-edge technologies such as chemical recycling that convert mixed and contaminated plastics back into monomers for new production. Biological approaches utilizing enzymes and microorganisms are studied for their potential to biodegrade resistant plastics like PET. Additionally, mechanical innovations like advanced sorting techniques leveraging AI and compatibilization strategies that enhance the quality of recycled materials are discussed. By analyzing recent developments and practical applications, effective and economically viable solutions are identified. These findings emphasize that ongoing technological advancements, supported by robust policies and stakeholder collaboration, are crucial for reducing plastic waste and advancing toward a sustainable circular economy.
... Some researchers tried to produce yarns [24][25][26] and garments [27][28][29] from recycled fibers. With a vision of zero waste, international brands for garment fabric, such as Diesel, initiated a pilot project to produce denim fabric from post-consumer waste [30]. ...
... Various methods for recycling polycotton have been reported, typically categorized as mechanical or chemical recycling [11,12]. Mechanical recycling routes involve shredding polycotton fabrics and subsequently spinning them into new threads. ...
This study aimed to develop an innovative recycling method for end-of-life polycotton textiles, eliminating the need for component separation. The use of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][Ac]) as an ionic liquid solvent facilitated the dissolution of cotton, enabling the creation of a spinning dope containing cellulose and polyester fibers. Successful spinning of bicomponent fibers ensued, followed by comprehensive fiber evaluation. The dissolution of cotton was achieved with [EMIM][Ac], and spinning trials were conducted to devise a suitable method for regenerated cellulose. Tensile tests on the produced cellulosic fibers clearly demonstrated an increase in tensile strength with higher cellulose concentration. The introduction of polyester fibers to the spinning dope, comprising [EMIM][Ac] and cotton, posed challenges to the entire spinning process. Tensile tests on the resulting bicomponent fibers revealed a decrease in tensile strength compared to pure regenerated cellulose fibers. This reduction was attributed to increased voids and irregular polyester fiber distribution, corroborated by microscopy images and a wicking test. It was concluded that the quantity and length of polyester fibers significantly influenced the tensile strength of the bicomponent fibers, with lower concentrations and shorter fibers resulting in higher strength.
... Environment consciousness permeating an organization's supply chain means focusing on upstream sustainable activities from design, sourcing, dyeing, production practices, retailing, and consumer consumption (Atiku, 2020;Chiu et al., 2011Chiu et al., , 2018Choi, 2013). Several well-known companies have incorporated closed-loop recycling systems as part of their sustainability endeavors (Leonas, 2017), with the United Nations' new sustainability agenda for 2030 coming into foray ). An organi-zation's social sustainability goals reflect its actual actions and CSR initiatives (Atiku, 2019). ...
Textile and apparel supply chains have emerged as environmentally unsustainable and pollution-causing, responsible for the depletion of resources and the fourth-largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. With the hub of textile and apparel production centralized around developing economies, the supply chain faces several challenges, with organizations focusing on triple-bottom-line performance considering the social and environmental impact of the supply chains over and above their financial viability. Thus, seven critical requirements for an effective supply chain model to meet the triple bottom line are reduction in textile waste and emissions, reduction in energy intensity, maximum usage of renewable and sustainable energy resources, reuse and recycling of materials, measurement, and assessment of the impact of the supply chain on the ecosystem, standard measuring procedures evaluating the sustainability performance of an organization and environmental consciousness permeating the organizational culture.
... The PCG recycling and reusing has become increasingly important due to its resource conservation, environmental impact, economic advantages, social benefits, and regulatory requirements. (Jiang et al., 2022;Rotimi et al., 2023;Leonas, 2017;Hossain et al., 2024a). It is proposed to enhance recycling in compliance with the SDGs, which include twelve goals for sustainable consumption and production. ...
Post-consumer garments (PCG) wastes pose a significant concern in the textile value chain, primarily due to their environmental impact. Over the last few decades, recycling of PCG has garnered substantial attention from textile industrialists and researchers. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the progress in recycling and reusing the PCG over the last 15 years. A bibliometric analysis is presented from Scopus data from 2010 to February 2024 using various statistical tools. The aim is to present the existing challenges and prospects of PCG, including increased demand for garments recycling, advanced recycling technologies, reusing, circular economy initiatives, socio-economic advantages, bioenergy production, stringent regulations, and new business opportunities. Cutting-edge recycling techniques are presented, including the pyrolysis of PCG waste to generate bio-oil and the fabrication of nanofibers from PCG for enhanced filtration and protective clothes. Additionally, the production of thermal-insulating high-performance cloth from PCG is mentioned. Challenges, such as contamination in medical textile waste, the complexity of recycling, lack of infrastructure, reduced economic viability, and declining end product quality, are addressed. Guidelines to tackle challenges include proper segregation, identification, and disinfection to overcome contamination issues. This article is a credible resource for textile industry experts, academicians, and engineers interested in promoting garment recycling to assist in accomplishing the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
... Furthermore, the scope of external upcycling of PET is higher than that of cotton, as plastics have diverse applications (Leonas, 2017). However, the challenge still prevails for mixed fiber textiles. ...
Recycling is imperative in sustainable manufacturing. The solid waste generated from the manufacturing of textiles and fashion is mostly recyclable. Hence, recycling textile solid waste (textile-to-textile recycling) is essential to sustainable manufacturing. If appropriately managed, both pre-consumer and post-consumer textile waste can be recycled and re-fed into the textile manufacturing systems. However, managing textile solid waste (i.e., collection, sorting, and separating) is a complex and inefficient process due to the high diversity of textile materials. Mono-fiber materials (like 100% cotton or 100% polyester) can be recycled to their fiber form and reused as raw materials for manufacturing. Technological and scaling-up challenges still prevail for multifiber materials. This chapter represents three case studies of textile recycling practices in Bangladesh, which is the second-largest manufacturer of textiles and fashion products. In subsequent processes, pre-consumer textile waste is transformed into recycled fiber and recycled yarn. Insights from the recycling plants reveal the technological and commercial challenges in textile recycling. This chapter also describes how textile waste recycling can facilitate circularity in the textile supply chain. This knowledge can help a better understanding of sustainable manufacturing of textiles and fashion and facilitate the development of technology, policy, and frameworks for a circular economy.
... Fabric waste suitable for redesigning or reusing can be separated into three categories based on its source, pre-consumer waste, production waste and post-consumer waste; (Leal Filho et al., 2019;Leonas, 2017). They each have different characteristics and potential for being reused. ...
Purpose: The study assessed empirically how production and consumer behaviour can instigate the reduction of carbon footprint in the textiles and apparel industry to promote sustainable development. Methodology: The study was predominantly qualitative with a sample size of 15 textiles and apparel manufacturers managers/owners were selected purposively from three regions of Ghana. Findings: The results suggest that respondents hardly employ any strategy to facilitate environmental sustainability. Even though they are aware of the concept of carbon footprint, they lack the basic techniques to assess their environmental performance in terms of sustainability. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study can significantly contribute to policy and practice in Ghana and elsewhere by shaping regulatory frameworks, encouraging sustainable business practices, enhancing education and training, guiding EIAs, and fostering consumer awareness.
... Recent sustainable apparel production trends indicate that the apparel industry has been incorporating environmentally friendly materials, such as organic fibers, recycled and upcycled fibers. Moreover, various concepts, such as transformable design (Koo et al., 2014;Rahman and Gong, 2016), ecolabeling (Bucklow et al., 2017;Byrd and Su, 2021;Koszewska, 2011), zero-waste design and production (Ramkalaon and Sayem, 2021) and recycling and upcycling (Leonas, 2017;Shim et al., 2018), have been introduced to incorporate sustainability in the textile and apparel industry. Therefore, even though there is a lack of consensus on the definition of sustainable apparel, previous literature has pointed out that the term is a combination of environmental, ethical and social impacts, where the principle of apparel production, consumption and disposal ranges from fair trade and sweatshop-free conditions to minimize negative environmental impact and to maximize social responsibility (Goworek et al., 2012;Joergens, 2006;Rahman and Koszewska, 2020). ...
Purpose
This study aims to understand Bangladeshi young consumers’ perceptions of sustainable apparel. Specifically, through the lens of the theory of reasoned action (TRA), this study investigates the impacts of man–nature orientation (MNO) and social influences on Bangladeshi young consumers’ intention to purchase sustainable apparel.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical survey-based research was conducted, and data were collected from 387 Bangladeshi college students.
Findings
The findings of the study show that MNO significantly influences Bangladeshi young consumers’ attitudes toward purchasing sustainable apparel, which, together with social influences, impacts young Bangladeshi consumers’ intention of making efforts to purchase sustainable apparel.
Originality/value
This study incorporates the specific cultural value – MNO with the traditional TRA model to understand young Bangladeshi consumers’ sustainable apparel purchase intention. The results of this study demonstrate the applicability of the TRA framework in understanding young consumers’ sustainable apparel consumer behavior in the context of Bangladesh, which is a developing country with a collectivistic culture. This study provides insights into how apparel brands and retailers should design their sustainability strategies in developing countries such as Bangladesh.
... In 2020, on average, every man, woman and child in the United States spent $1,067.93 to buy 51.8 pieces of clothes (Lu, 2021). Every year, an average US consumer throws away 70 pounds of clothing, which adds up to 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumption textile waste to the landfills (Leonas, 2017). In response, Patagonia, a global outdoor clothing retailer, not only encourages consumers to purchase environmentally friendly products and to recycle them but also encourages to consume less (Chouinard and Stanley, 2012). ...
Purpose-The call for consumption reduction behavior has been getting more attention from scholars and practitioners. However, the consumption reduction often receives backfire from consumers because it does not follow the business philosophy of demand creation. Thus, this research dissolves this issue by using a holistic corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach regarding sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach-A conceptual model was developed to represent the proposed relationships among the related variables. The current study employed an online survey to collect data from 341 international program students of three prominent universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Findings-The findings indicate that the perception of the holistic CSR negatively impacts perceived corporate hypocrisy, triggering in turn brand credibility, resulting in brand advocacy and mindful consumption behavior. Originality/value-This research forms a holistic CSR including economic, environmental and societal dimensions and proposes that the holistic CSR triggers brand advocacy and mindful consumption behavior representing consumption reduction behavior via the mediating roles of perceived corporate hypocrisy and brand credibility. These findings contribute to theoretical and managerial implications in CSR practices with the aim of consumption reduction.
... Because of that, an opportunity for businesses arrives to give garments a second chance by recycling so that they do not generate more waste. Currently, there is the recycling of fabrics such as cotton and polyester to make threads used later to produce polo shirts, pants, jackets, and sportswear, as Leonas [173] mentioned. For entrepreneurs to obtain textile waste, Payne [204] suggests forming alliances with regional or local governments, clothing manufacturers, among others. ...
The fashion industry is one sector that generates the most pollution globally due to the overproduction generated by the high demand for products. From its production to the end of its life cycle, it is negatively impacted by chemicals, water pollution, and solid waste; often, workers are exploited, and the likelihood that their health is affected in the long term. New entrepreneurs have emerged seeking to reduce the environmental impact, provide decent work, and offer sustainable alternatives for fashionable market niches, which is the reason why this paper analyzes the theory of sustainable paths for entrepreneurship associated with fashion, and in addition to that, brings real cases that aim to reduce the impact of the fashion industry by providing sustainable fashion products.KeywordsEntrepreneurshipSustainabilitySustainable fashionTheoryEffectCircularityCircularEntrepreneurSustainable development goals
... Polyester fiber textiles are popular among customers because of their durability, strength, flexibility, and resilience to climatic conditions, making them perfect for longterm usage in outdoor applications. Furthermore, the greatest benefit of polyester fibers is that they can be mass-produced in massive quantities at a low cost, resulting in lower costs for the customer as well [1][2][3]. On the contrary, polyester fabrics do have certain issues, such as a lack of breathability especially after some finishing treatments [4,5]. ...
Polyester fibers are widely employed in a multitude of sectors and applications from the technical textiles to everyday life thanks to their durability, strength, and flexibility. Despite these advantages, polyester lacks in dyeability, adhesion of coating, hydrophilicity, and it is characterized by a low wettability respect to natural fibers. On this regard, beyond the harmful hydrophobic textile finishings of polyester fabrics containing fluorine-compounds, and in order to avoid pre-treatments, such as laser irradiation to improve their surface properties, research is moving towards the development of fluorine-free and safer coatings. In this work, the (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and various long alkyl-chain alkoxysilanes were employed for the fabrication in the presence of a catalyst of a water-based superhydrophobic finishing for polyester fabrics with a simple sol-gel, non-fluorinated, sustainable approach and the dip-pad-dry-cure method. The finished polyester fabrics surface properties were investigated by static and dynamic water repellency tests. Additionally, the resistance to common water-based liquids, abrasion resistance, moisture adsorption, and air permeability measurements were performed. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the micro- and nano-morphology of the functionalized polyester fabrics surfaces. The obtained superhydrophobic finishings displayed high water-based stain resistance as well as good hydrophobicity after different cycles of abrasion.
... These studies' topics can be divided into material changes, process changes, and product design changes. First, in terms of material changes, studies have focused on ways to reduce clothing and textile waste, including reusing discarded fabrics by mixing them with other new fibers [2][3][4][5]. In terms of process changes, studies have investigated ways to redesign and change the manufacturing process of contaminated clothing so that it is eco-friendly [6][7][8]. ...
The purpose of this study was to design weaving methods for the aesthetic and practical recycling of various types of clothing waste, making creative woven textiles and three-dimensional virtual textiles based on them. This study is a follow-up study on the production of upcycling fabric using clothing waste and was conducted to overcome the limitations of the preceding study. Before conducting this study, a preliminary survey was conducted on the perception of clothing waste recycling among weaving participants. The investigation found that the necessity of recycling clothing waste was recognized, but methods for doing so were not known. The demand for easy and diverse recycling methods that can aesthetically improve clothing waste has been identified. In this study, seven weaving methods based on plain weaving were designed. The weaving method was based on the plain weaving method, and warp, weft, and matt weaving were divided into regular or irregular weaving. Warp yarn was used to improve the durability of the textile, and weft yarn was utilized to increase the use of clothing waste and maintain the aesthetic effects of the original materials. The twenty people who participated in the preliminary survey performed creative textile production using clothing waste and evaluated materials and weaving methods. Creative textiles using clothing waste were created as 3D virtual textiles by the author. A group of experts evaluated the novelty and appropriateness of the creative textiles and 3D virtual textiles and participated in a focus group interview. As a result of this study, 140 creative textiles and 3D virtual textiles were produced based on the developed methods. According to the evaluation of the materials and design methods, the preparation of the material was easy, the suitability of the material was high, and the difficulty of the weaving method was low. The difficulty of each weaving type was the lowest for the plain and matt regular method, and the highest for the weft irregular method. The irregular type was highly evaluated in the novelty category, and the regular type was highly evaluated in the appropriateness category. In the focus group interviews, experts positively evaluated the usefulness of the material, the appropriateness of the design methods, the novelty of the woven textile, and the appropriateness of the material for 3D virtual clothing.
... Recycled fibres can be used as raw materials for high consumption and value added products [2]. This concept is evaluated in two classes as open loop and closed loop recycling according to the production flow of the new product to be obtained by recycling the waste material [3]. In the openloop system, which is widely used in textiles, the material is not recycled repeatedly and it is used to be evaluated in a relatively low quality product. ...
In this study blanket trimmings and mechanically recycled fibers were blended and softly pre-needlepunched to be used as innerlayers of conventional needle-punched nonwovens. The outer layers from three types of raw materials (polypropylene, recycled polyester and mechanically recycled fibers) and the control groups were produced by classical needle-punching at two different needle-punch densities. Abrasion resistance and bending properties of the end products were investigated considering recycled layer ratio, raw material type and needle-punching density through standard test methods. Among all types, the highest abrasion cycles and bending rigidity values were observed for the PP outer layered products. Increase in needling density increased the abrasion cycles between 10%-20% and increased bending rigidity 3%-8% among the overall. Comparing the fabrics with recycled layer of 20% to control groups, abrasion resistance was preserved between 67% -75% and bending rigidity was preserved between 86%-93% at overall.
... The textile industry is a part of a fashion system which promotes mass consumption and fast consumption of goods. Thus, the fashion industry is regarded as one of the most polluting industries in the world [1]. Especially in fast fashion, clothing is worn for a short time and then quickly becomes textile waste [2]. ...
Due to environmental concerns, an increasing number of Chinese consumers have begun to resist fast fashion, promoting cheap and lower quality materials with a short lifetime. A shift from a linear economic model to a circular fashion has become an urgent issue for the industry. To examine how brand stereotype affects consumers’ purchasing intention toward upcycled fabric clothing, this study adopted a grounded theory approach to develop the dimensions of brand stereotypes, including product, manufacturing process, service, and communication. Furthermore, a theoretical model was constructed incorporating brand stereotypes, brand green trust, fashion consciousness, and green consciousness. Results from structural equation model analysis indicated that (1) each dimension of brand stereotypes had a significantly positive impact on behavior intention, and especially product and service image have the most influence; (2) brand green trust mediated the relationship between brand stereotypes and buying intention, and (3) green consciousness positively moderated the relationship between brand stereotype and trust, whereas brand warmth in communication and trust was moderated negatively by fashion consciousness. The findings offer implications for the implementation of the green branding strategy, brand positioning, and cultivating consumers’ green awareness to improve market acceptance of upcycled fabric clothing.
... Many industries depend on reclaimed and recycled cotton fibers, such as the manufacture of low-quality yarns, fabrics, and non-woven materials, which are used in the manufacture of furniture and thermal insulation of buildings, in addition to the automobile industry [11][12][13]. Also cotton cellulose fiber was use in the field of water purification technologies. Different types of polymers were used to coat and treat cotton fibers to be used for the simultaneous removal of oils, dyes, and metal ions from water [14,15]. ...
The impact of bismuth (III) oxide (Bi2O3) on the characteristics of the cellulose/ polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend was reported for a high weight ratio of the oxide (15wt%). Composite samples were made with 15wt% oxide and 2:1 weight ratio of PVA to cellulose using a hot hydraulic press technique (5 MPa and 175°C), which led to samples in the form of a disk. The thermal stability of the composite was illustrated using the thermal gravitational analysis (TGS) at a heating rate of 10°C/min in N2 environment. The results show that the thermal stability of the composite sample was greater than that of the blended sample in the high-temperature region. The blend and composite samples exhibited two weight-loss stages throughout the thermal decomposition process. These two stages correspond to the slow decomposition (200-400°C) and fast decomposition stages (400 to 450°C for blend and from 430 to 460°C for composite). Only 5% mass loss for both samples was detected due to heating from 50°C to 200°C. Dielectric spectroscopy (from 100 Hz to 1 MHz) was used to investigate the effects of Bi2O3 on the relaxation and conduction mechanisms of the composite samples at different temperatures. Dielectric permittivity, AC conductivity, electrical modulus, and complex impedance were investigated. Jonscher's equation was applied to the blend and composite samples. The modified Jones equation fit well at low temperatures. As the temperature increases, the deviation from the normal Jonscher equation decreases. The activation energies of the blend and composite were calculated by determining the bulk resistance (RB) from the Nyquist plots. The activation energy of the blend was increased by adding the filler (Bi2O3).
... Several well-known businesses that are moving toward the production of sustainable products have identified the textile and garment industry as having elements that have influenced the generation, usage, and recycling of trash. Here are some names of brands that have recycled content programmes and goods [11]. Preconsumer, post-consumer, and post-industrial textile wastes are recycled and utilised to make home furnishings, branded clothing and accessories, concrete, and composites, as well as other speciality items including cleanroom clothing, heating elements, and mountaineering gear [12]. ...
One of the sectors of the global economy that releases the most pollutants is the textile industry. Textile waste can be divided into pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste. During the cutting and manufacturing processes, factory pre-consumer waste is produced. Used clothing and other used textiles create post-consumer trash. Studies reveal that textile waste takes up almost 5% of total landfill space. About 84% of all waste is made up of clothing, and that waste is dumped in landfills where it takes up about 5% of the available space. Since only 10 to 25% of these end up as industrial waste, up to 95% of them can be recycled. The lifetime of clothing is thought to last three years on average. They are left on the land after that time. It is estimated one million metric tons of textiles are condemned annually. Instead of being recycled and reused, a lot of old clothes end up in landfills. This article focuses on different fabric wastes, their processing, the properties of recycled yarn, and the fabrics produced subsequently. There is a special focus on brands that have taken initiative to reduce textile waste by converting them into different products.
Overconsumption and unplanned disposal of garments result in millions of tons of textile products going to landfills. Understanding the environmental benefits and impact of various recycling options is crucial for integrating recycling into the apparel waste stream. This study aims to assess the environmental impacts of products made from post-consumer textile waste fibers, highlighting the importance of closed-loop textile supply chains in developing countries. Using Open LCA software, the cradle-to-gate approach for life cycle assessment is used to calculate the environmental impacts of post-consumer textile waste, virgin cotton, virgin polyester fibers, and their blends in two different scenarios. The life cycle inventory data for functional units (1000 kg apparel) has been collected from the industrial units and the Ecoinvent v3.0 database. The results of 16 environmental impact categories are computed, showing that textile products made from virgin cotton fiber have 60% more global warming potential than those made from post-consumer textile waste fibers. Hence, the environmental impact of textile products can be controlled by recycling them. Consumption of post-consumer textile waste fiber is the key to reducing the new material needs in the textile supply chain. The closed-loop apparel supply chain can help developing countries generate maximum financial value with minimal environmental damage. In developing countries, value extraction from post-consumer textile waste recycling is essential to meet international consumer demands for cleaner production.
The textile industry is a major contributor to environmental challenges, driven by overconsumption, fast fashion, and reliance on non-sustainable materials. Textiles are the fourth most environmentally impactful commodity, with significant consequences including resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution, worsened by synthetic materials' slow decomposition and microplastic release. Efforts to mitigate these issues include EU regulations promoting recycling and circular economy strategies. Recycling methods, such as: mechanical, chemical, biological, and hybrid, play a key role by valorizing textile waste into high-value products such as geotextiles, composites, insulation materials, and biofuels. These processes not only reduce waste but also offer environmental benefits like energy conservation and reduced emissions. Despite their potential, barriers such as waste complexity, inadequate infrastructure, economic challenges, and inconsistent regulations hinder widespread adoption. A sustainable transition requires coordinated efforts across industries, policymakers, and consumers. Emphasizing innovation in recycling technologies, biodegradable materials, and energy-efficient production can amplify the impact of valorized materials, making circular textile systems more feasible. Consumer awareness and responsible consumption further strengthen this shift. Addressing these challenges is vital for reducing waste, conserving resources, and advancing a sustainable future for the fashion and textile industry.
The textile and apparel industries have experienced the arrival of the sustainable fashion revolution, which symbolizes a significant switch towards improving green innovations and lessening environmental effects. As industries highlight sustainability through eco-friendly apparel merchandising practices, switching to a circular economy can present potential transformation. This review highlights eco-friendly concepts and evaluates recent trends, complexities, and future prospects. It assesses the shift in industry from linear to circular approaches by applying today’s closed-loop product recycling strategies, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. It critically examines contemporary perspectives on green merchandising with a focus on key challenges arising from these complex supply chains, evolving customer preferences, and legislation. It performs an in-depth critical analysis of contemporary literature to identify the best practices and emerging trends in the advancement of circularity. It outlines the importance of collaboration by manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in advancing green merchandising in textiles and apparel. It seeks to encourage manufacturers towards more sustainable practices by providing practical advice and synthesizing findings. It can ultimately lead to a more resilient and environmentally conscious textiles and apparel sector.
In this study, the natural fibers from Coconuts of the species Coco nucifera L. were Chemically extracted in different solvents such as sodium hydroxide (SH), acetone (AC) and sodium hydroxide-acetone (SHA) for their applications in the textile industries. Structural, morphological and physico-mechanical characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectrometry (FTIR), scanned electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of density, Young's modulus, water absorption rate and humidity were evaluated. The XRD and FTIR results show that Coco nucifera L. fibers contains type I cellulose. Mechanical characterizations were also carried out. These results show that by varying the different solvents used, the physico-chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of the fibers change, which implies that the solvent has an influence on the properties of these fibers. The fibers extracted by the sodium hydroxide-acetone mixture have a linear density of 1.636, the percentage of water absorption is 62.428%, the percentage of moisture absorption 9.605% compared to other values in the literature shows that this solvent mixture improves the properties of coconut fibers which contain type I cellulose. The tensile stress is 0.013 GPa, the percentage strain is 49.836% and the Young's modulus is 0.114 GPa as well as the percentage elongation show that these fibers are elasto-plastic. The values obtained mean that these fibers are suitable for use in textiles.
Today, environmental protection has become a global challenge. Textile and fashion industries are also a part of this challenge since they use many dyes, chemicals and other accessories for their entire supply chain. The world is becoming increasingly concerned about the planet’s health due to the alarming use of those and the increased effluent load. Corporate social responsibility is a business strategy that encourages businesses to work for the betterment of mankind and the environment rather than degrading them. It has become increasingly significant as consumers, investors and society at large expect organisations to go beyond profitability and consider their impact on the environment and society.
It can enhance several societal facets and advance a favourable brand image for businesses. Sustainable clothing materials can be produced from eco-friendly resources such as sustainably cultivated fibre crops or recycled materials. Purchasing an outfit affects the environment, more than a fashion statement. Thus, when it comes to apparel and textiles, the priority of the consumer is quality over quantity, by selecting eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable textiles.
To create sustainable textiles, the initiative is taken to use organic cotton and recycled polyester yarn, and fabrics are produced on a handloom. The colour scheme used to create a line of formal office clothing and accessories is based on the colour forecast for 2023–2024.
The fashion industry is a multi-trillion US-dollar business, and leather is one of the animal products used for textiles, bags, and footwear. Even though durable, cow leather causes ethical, social, and environmental issues. Leather tanneries cause eutrophication, chemical release, water scarcity, and global warming. Arsenic, a common tannery chemical, is known to cause lung cancer. Due to environmental, social, and health issues, the fashion industry is under pressure to investigate other sustainable materials, and vegan leather has a promising future. This article summarizes various plant-based substrates and food waste that can be used to make vegan leather much cleaner and less polluting than conventional leather production. Sustainable biomaterials like plants and microbes are used to create plant-based leather. It helps reduce textile waste because it is biodegradable and environmentally beneficial. Natural latex, pineapple, mushrooms, jellyfish, and bacterial cellulose are some common sources of bio-leather. Mushroom leather, or mycelium leather, is another alternative to animal-based leather. With textile development moving at the current pace, it will be soon that many more organic-based materials will be fully biodegradable and used in the fashion and textile industry.
The present research effort employs glycolysed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle waste as a precursor for the synthesis of unsaturated polyester resin (rUPR). This resin is then used for manufacturing composites that are reinforced with jute fibres using the sheet moulding compound technique. The limited crosslinking of styrene in the rUPR was elucidated using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The elevated exothermic reaction energy of 1152 kJ and the clearly identifiable peak observed at 1620 cm⁻¹ in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum provided substantial evidence for this phenomenon. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the recycled unsaturated polyester resin (rUPR) demonstrated a higher level of amorphous nature This observation can be attributed to reduced viscosity and enhanced ductility of rUPR. The utilisation of the rUPR as a matrix material has shown significant effectiveness in enhancing the tensile and flexural properties of composites reinforced with jute fibres. Thereby, the objective of this research is to develop a thermoset resin using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rUPR) waste material for identification its suitability in manufacturing composites with jute fibres as reinforcement.
Poliester (PET) lifleri tekstil endüstrisinde dünya genelinde en çok kullanılan sentetik liftir. Dünya genelinde çevresel ve ekolojik kaygıların artmasıyla sentetik liflerin geri dönüştürülmesi, biyobozunurluğunun sağlanması yönünde çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bu deneysel çalışmada poliester, geri dönüştürülmüş poliester (r-PET) ve biyobozunur poliester (bio-PET) içerikli kumaşların boyama ve fiziksel performansları karşılaştırılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlarda r-PET ve bio-PET içerikli numunelerin en az PET içerikli kumaşlar kadar iyi boyandığı haslık ve mukavemet değerlerinde belirgin farklılıklar olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu kapsamda r-PET ve bio-PET liflerinin PET liflerine alternatif olabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Cotton is one of the most used fibres in the world of textile, and due to fast fashion phenomena, lots of waste have been produced by the industries. Hence, with the aim to reduce industrial cotton waste, mechanical recycling method was chosen in order to turn cotton waste into a value-added product. This paper reported an analysis of different machine parameters to control the physical properties of the nonwoven web produced from industrial cotton fabric wastes. The fabric wastes are recycled mechanically and turned into a continuous nonwoven web using the needle punching machine. An experiment with a full factorial design was conducted in this study to understand the interaction between more than one factor, specifically the fibre feeder speed and stacking layer. In this study, the speed of fibre feeders (8, 10 and 12 ft/min) and stacking layers (four, five and six layers) were investigated over three stages. To determine the significant factors that can influence the physical properties of the nonwoven web, the analysis of variance was employed (ANOVA). The nonwoven web produced underwent physical testing such as density, thickness and porosity. The difference in fibre feeder speed and stacking layer significantly affected both web thickness and density. Porosity, however, was only affected by fibre feeder speed. Higher fibre feeder speed and higher stacking number produced a thicker and denser web. The less dense and less thick web also had a higher porosity percentage.
Tranziția la orașele inteligente nu înseamnă renunțarea la
toată dezvoltarea existentă și înființarea unor orașe noi, după tipare noi,
standardizate, ci dimpotrivă. Acest proces trebuie centrat pe contextul și
ecosistemele actuale. Prin concepte și tehnologii noi, orașele inteligente
trebuie să restabilească echilibrul natural primordial, iar spațiile verzi să
fie adaptate circumstanțelor actuale și astfel să contribuie la atenuarea
schimbărilor climatice resimțite la nivel global.
Din această perspectivă, în România, tranziția către orașele inteligente
trebuie să pornească de la presiunile cu care se confruntă mediile urbane,
în special Capitala, în special la carența spațiilor verzi, amplasarea,
tipologia, starea și managementul acestora.
This study aims to determine the appropriate methods and parameters for the eco-friendly and sustainable production of finer yarns from recycled cotton fibers with acceptable quality and high recycled fiber ratios to transform pre-consumer textile wastes into better-quality products with value-added in the ready-made clothing industry. Cotton fibers were mechanically recycled from dyed fabric wastes. Mélange 100% cotton yarns were produced with different recycled/virgin fiber blend ratios (80/20, 72/28, 64/36, and 56/44) at different yarn counts (30 and 20 tex) and by different spinning methods (compact and open-end spinning) without any chemicals treatment. The yarn properties were tested and compared to determine the best production parameters. As a result of the study, it was seen that the yarn properties improved when the proportion of virgin cotton fiber in the yarn increased in parallel with previous studies. Besides, the yarn hairiness and unevenness of open-end yarns were better than compact yarns. On the other hand, using the compact spinning method led to higher yarn tenacity. The results indicated that the compact spinning method is advantageous in achieving the target of increasing the ratio of recycled fiber use with good tenacity for the production of %100 cotton yarns.
Hızlı moda akımının etkisiyle, üretim ve tüketim hacmi sürekli artan tekstil sektöründe doğal kaynak kullanımı, emisyon ve atıklar önemli bir çevresel yük oluşturmaktadır. Sürdürülebilirlik kavramının ön plana çıkmasıyla birlikte ürünlerin tasarım ve üretim aşamalarında çevre dostu stratejilerin benimsenmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır. Sürdürülebilir tasarımda hem estetik ve işlevsellik açısından hem de çevre açısından en uygun malzemelerin seçilmesi gerekmektedir. Malzeme seçiminde çevresel etkileri belirlemek ancak yaşam döngü analizi ile mümkün olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, sürdürülebilir tekstil tasarımı kapsamında %99 BCI pamuk/%1 elastan ve %79 pamuk/%20 geri dönüştürülmüş pamuk/%1 elastan içerikli olarak tasarlanan 2 denim kumaşın yaşam döngü analiz çalışması gerçekleştirilerek nihai ürün tasarımında en sürdürülebilir malzeme seçimi amaçlanmıştır. Yaşam döngü analizi ile, abiyotik tüketim (fosil yakıtlar) ve deniz ekotoksisite potansiyelleri haricindeki tüm çevresel etki kategorilerinde geri dönüştürülmüş pamuk kullanımının BCI pamuk kullanımına göre daha az çevresel yük oluşturduğu bulunmuştur. Bu açıdan, çalışma sonucunda geri dönüştürülmüş lif içerikli numunenin nihai ürün tasarımında kullanılması önerilmiştir.
Purpose
The call for consumption reduction behavior has been getting more attention from scholars and practitioners. However, the consumption reduction often receives backfire from consumers because it does not follow the business philosophy of demand creation. Thus, this research dissolves this issue by using a holistic corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach regarding sustainable development.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model was developed to represent the proposed relationships among the related variables. The current study employed an online survey to collect data from 341 international program students of three prominent universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Findings
The findings indicate that the perception of the holistic CSR negatively impacts perceived corporate hypocrisy, triggering in turn brand credibility, resulting in brand advocacy and mindful consumption behavior.
Originality/value
This research forms a holistic CSR including economic, environmental and societal dimensions and proposes that the holistic CSR triggers brand advocacy and mindful consumption behavior representing consumption reduction behavior via the mediating roles of perceived corporate hypocrisy and brand credibility. These findings contribute to theoretical and managerial implications in CSR practices with the aim of consumption reduction.
A huge amount of waste was generated from the apparel industries. This study aims to develop the process of producing recycled yarn from apparel waste. The apparel leftover fabric was converted to fiber, and the fiber was mixed with virgin cotton in different ratios to produce sustainable 6/1 Ne rotor yarn. The produced yarn qualities viz. count strength product (CSP), elongation percentage, total quality index (TQI) and tenacity were decreased linearly, and opposite scenario observed for thick and thin places, neps, imperfection index (IPI) and hairiness (H) attributes with increasing the amount of waste addition with virgin cotton. The leftover fabric (LOF) can be utilized to develop a sustainable yarn and to zero waste management.
This study explored U.S. retailers’ unique merchandising strategies for recycled clothing based on a logistic regression analysis of 16,000 Stock keeping Units of apparel items sold in the U.S. retail market from 2018 to 2021. The statistical analysis shows that U.S. retailers adopt distinct product assortment strategies for clothing made from recycled materials in terms of colours, design patterns, and product categories, compared with regular new clothing. Also, U.S. retailers were statistically more likely to price recycled clothing lower than the market average but more likely to target them for the luxury and premium market segments. The study's findings create timely new knowledge about the business aspects of clothing circularity and reveal the necessity of improving recycling technologies and changing consumers’ perceptions of recycled clothing's values.
“No other book compares…This is the book students reference during their four years at university.” – Tara Konya, Southern New Hampshire University, USA
Learn how fashion lines are designed, manufactured, marketed, and distributed. The book covers the full supply chain – from textiles to fashion brand production – as well as supply chain management, and competitive strategies, so that you can be successful in your future career. Topics covered include sustainable design for a circular economy, 3-D printing, fashion entrepreneurship, disruptions in fashion calendars, supply chain transparency, impact of social media, growth and evolution of online retailing, expanded omnichannel strategies, and changes in international trade, among others. Case studies, a Career Glossary, and key terms help you connect concepts to practice.
New to this Edition
· Content addresses knowledge and skill guidelines in the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Textile and Apparel Program Accreditation Commission (TAPAC) accreditation standards
· Expanded discussions of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and technology across the supply chains for fashion products
· Updated and expanded industry examples and case studies, emphasizing fashion brand companies from around the world
· A new Careers Glossary listing job titles and descriptions found throughout the fashion industry
The Business of Fashion STUDIO
Study smarter with self-quizzes featuring scored results and personalized study tips Review concepts with flashcards of essential vocabulary
As the use of fabrics containing spandex for apparel applications is expanding, developing eco-friendly technologies to recycle the industrial as well as post-consumer waste for spandex blended fabrics becomes increasingly important. As is known in the industry and demonstrated in this study, spandex may be removed from blended fabrics by dissolving it in solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, but the use of such solvents is undesirable for economical and environmental reasons. The main focus of this study was to develop an alternative process for removing the spandex component in a nylon/spandex blended fabric (NSBF) by selective degradation so that the nylon component can be recovered for recycling. In this process, the fabric first underwent a heat treatment step, followed by a washing process. For the heat treatment, the effect of temperature, water-to-fabric ratio, and pressure were studied. Treatment at 220? for 2 hours under atmospheric pressure was found to be very effective, allowing the degraded spandex residues to be readily washed off in ethanol, while the nylon component retained its original morphology. With the removal of spandex in NSBF, a decrease in -CON- absorption peaks in the Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectra of the fabrics was observed.
As issues surrounding sustainability in the fashion industry continue to evolve, the conversation in this collection of essays from leading fashion academics and practitioners has been updated with current concepts and industry practices. Sustainable Fashion: What’s Next? A Conversation about Issues, Practices and Possibilities, Second Edition examines the challenges that designers, product developers, and consumers confront as they create, wear, and recycle clothing and fashion. Organized into three sections and printed on FSC-certified paper, each section focuses on an in-depth exploration of sustainable opportunities that are identified as people, process and the environment.
Sustainability is the latest buzzword across the globe that includes three aspects, namely the environment, economics, and society. With the emergence, acceptance, and obsolescence of fast fashion, textile wastes are growing to unprecedented levels at phenomenal rates. Textile wastes can be the raw materials for the developments of new value-added products through a proper recycling methodology. Textile waste management systems are currently undergoing a crucial phase, which aims to produce the value-added products through various recycling concepts and methods. Applications of preconsumer textile waste, postconsumer textile waste, and postindustrial textile wastes for the manufacture of home furnishings, branded apparel and accessories, concrete and composites, and other specialized products such as cleanroom garments, heating elements, and mountaineering equipment are discussed in the present chapter.
Recycling polyester fiber is only one aspect of material production that can help promote sustainability in the fashion industry. Although advances are occurring in polyester development and synthetic fiber recycling, it is certainly not a cure for all environmental challenges. As the demand for clothing grows, fashion industry professionals must identify and target any areas within the production chain and implement more sustainable processes or practices with less negative impact. Despite its limitations, fiber-to-fiber closed-loop polyester recycling is a ground-breaking program that companies can participate in to decrease the negative impact of textile and garment production on the environment.
Textile waste is a significant contributor to landfill, yet the majority of textiles can be recycled, allowing for the energy and fibre to be reclaimed. This chapter examines the open-loop and closed-loop recycling of textile products with particular reference to the fashion and apparel context. It describes the fibres used within apparel, the current mechanical and chemical methods for textile recycling, LCA findings for each method and applications within apparel for each. Barriers for more effective recycling include ease of integration into existing textile and apparel design methods as well as coordinated collection of post-consumer waste. The chapter concludes with a discussion of innovations that point to future trends in both open-loop and closed-loop recycling within the apparel industry.
In the world balance sheet for textile raw materials, the share of PES fibres is approximately 41% (5% higher than cotton’s share), approximately 65% in the volume of chemical fibres, and the highest growth rate persisted, 10.5% in comparison to 2006. Their share in the world will continuously increase up to 2020, while the share of all other fibres will only decrease (Fig. 1). We should emphasize that 2007 was comparatively successful for synthetic (+7.0%) and manmade (+8.2%) fibres. In 2007, world production of PES fibres increased by 3 million tons, attaining 31 million tons, and 18.7 million tons (+12%) consisted of complex fibres and 12.4 million tons (+8.0%) was stable and tow fibres. Until 2012, the demand for PES staple fibres in the world is projected to be lower than the capacities for approximately 90% utilization [2], i.e., the actual production and consumption are close. At this time, consumption of the basic initial raw material for production of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) — terephthalic acid — is over 50.5 million tons [3]. At present, the TPA market is up against excess supply due to an increase in capacities in China. As predicted in [3], from 2008 to 2013, world demand for TPA will increase by 6% a year, while a 13.5% increase in capacities is planned for this period in China. Nevertheless, annual imports in this country will be greater than 5 million tons up to 2013. Another large manufacturer of PES fibres, India, will remain a net importer of TPA at least until 2010, despite introduction of additional capacities of approximately 1 million tons [3] in 2008-2009. The shortage could be 200-350,000 tons a year.
The Econyl ® project
- Aquafil Global
Towards the circular economy: economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition Available from https:// www. ellenmacarthurfo undation. org/ circular-economy/ overview/ concept
- Ellen Macarthur Foundation
Cambrelle ® boosts Timberland’s green credentials Available at http:// www. cambrelle. com/ NewsItem
- Camtex Fabrics Ltd
Environmental responsibility Available at http:// hanesforgood. com/ environmental-responsibility
- Good Hanes
H&M sustainability report stresses need for industry-wide collaboration
- L Mcgregor
U.S. and world cotton economic outlook. Economic Services—National Cotton Council Available from http
- National Cotton Council Of America
Recycled polyester [Online
- Patagonia
H&M Unviels the Swedish Olympic Team’s New Uniforms
- N Porter
Adidas reveals prototype shoe made of recycled ocean waste
- A Velasquez
The North face incorporates REPREVE Technology into Denali Jacket
- S Beitch
Recycling of plastic bottles into yarn & fabric
- Y Agrawal
- R Kapoor
- T Malik
- V Raghuwanshi
The future of apparel
- Evrnu
[Online] Available at http:// www. martexfiber. com/ products/ reclaimed-fiber
- Martex Reclaimed Fiber
Adidas to develop custom, recyclable sports apparel
- L Lamicella
Nike raises its sustainability game, sets new supply chain goals for 2020
- L Mcgregor
Apparel makers think green
- L Moore
Hanes launches environmental marketing, products, and website
- Sustainable Brands
Closed-loop recycling system ECO CIRCLE
- Tenjin
Cone Denim and Unifi launch eco-friendly, soft stretch Denim
- A Velasquez
Jimtex yarns home page
- Jimtex Yarns
Are closed loop textiles the future of fashion
- L Mcgregor
Speedo closes the loop with swimwear made from fabric remnants
- L Mcgregor
Scientists successfully separate poly-cotton blend textiles
- L Mcgregor
Anonymous green futures magazine. A recycled bottle blend for jeans
- L Rivera
Carbon footprint and energy use of textile recycling techniques
- B Zamani
The Evrnu technology
- Evrnu
Merchandising of fashion products. Upper Saddle River
- D H Kincade
- Gibson
- Y Fay
Timberland steps up recycled content in footwear; commits to sustainability
- L Mcgregor
Texworld USA: Consumer education is key to selling sustainable apparel
- L Mcgregor
Environmental and social responsibility
- Patagonia
Open and closed-loop recycling of textile and apparel products. Handbook of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Textiles and Clothing
- A Payne
CoExist Levi’s made the first ever 100 % recyled cotton jeans
- A Peters
Sustainability now! Nike and Adidas hop on the green train
- H Shephard
Environmental responsibility
- Good Hanes For
Merchandising of fashion products
- D H Kincade
- Gibson
- Y Fay
- DH Kincade
Recycled wool [Online
- Patagonia