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13 pages, 909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is It Worth Buying a Second-Hand Shell Jacket? An Evaluation of Shell Jackets’ Functionality and Price over Time

by Louisa Nilsson, Anna Björklund, Judith H. Waller and Mikael Bäckström

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083451 - 20 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1457

Abstract

Global textile production and consumption has increased steadily over the past 15 years, which has caused significant impacts on the climate and the environment. In 2022, the EU launched a strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, stating that extending the life of textile [...] Read more.

Global textile production and consumption has increased steadily over the past 15 years, which has caused significant impacts on the climate and the environment. In 2022, the EU launched a strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, stating that extending the life of textile products is the most efficient way to reduce their impact on the climate and the environment. Shell jackets for outdoor use are textile products that are frequently discarded by their first users and re-sold on the second-hand market. This study evaluates the performance of 16 second-hand shell jackets from three second-hand stores in Sweden via material testing of four key functional aspects. Comparing the results with the jackets’ original performance, this study describes the change in functionality over time. The results indicate that air permeability does not change significantly, whereas water repellency, water penetration resistance, and breathability decrease over time, although they do so at different rates. With the aim of promoting circularity and encouraging longer product use, this study also compares the price evolution of jackets with their functionality over time. The results reveal that the resale price of the jackets is lower than could be expected based on the level of remaining functionality in the jackets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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17 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revolutionizing the Textile and Clothing Industry: Pioneering Sustainability and Resilience in a Post-COVID Era

by Eve Man-Hin Chan, Jenny Cheung, Catherine Amoroso Leslie, Yui-Yip Lau, Dawson Wai-Shun Suen and Chi-Wing Tsang

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2474; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062474 - 16 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7154

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, posing significant challenges to the textile and clothing industry. However, amidst these threats, there is a unique opportunity to rebuild a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry. This paper explores the shift from pre-COVID-19 business models [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, posing significant challenges to the textile and clothing industry. However, amidst these threats, there is a unique opportunity to rebuild a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry. This paper explores the shift from pre-COVID-19 business models and consumption values towards a renaissance characterized by real sustainability. By examining the transition from eco-efficiency to eco-effectiveness and from cradle-to-grave to cradle-to-cradle approaches, this study emphasizes the need for the active involvement of key stakeholders in co-creating value for all. Through a comprehensive analysis of the post-COVID era, this study aims to understand textile and clothing industry professionals’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable design practices and identify challenges in implementing such strategies. The findings contribute to the knowledge of sustainability in the post-COVID era and provide insights and strategies for textile and clothing industry players to thrive in a sustainable and transformed landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

20 pages, 11252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Dual Strategy for Textile and Fashion Production Using Clothing Waste

by Hyewon Lee

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11509; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511509 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3165

Abstract

This study aims to utilize a dual physical and digital strategy for the completion of a process that achieves two goals: the treatment of large amounts of clothing waste and the development of materials and products. This study expands the author’s previous research [...] Read more.

This study aims to utilize a dual physical and digital strategy for the completion of a process that achieves two goals: the treatment of large amounts of clothing waste and the development of materials and products. This study expands the author’s previous research on the feasibility of using clothing waste as a textile material and the development of weaving methods. The processes of material analysis, design, material development, and product production for clothing waste were connected by the dual strategy. The project was conducted by three groups of designers for ten months and evaluated by ten experts. A total of eighteen digital products were developed, including three physical products and one digital twin. Digital and physical models were dressed and subjected to objective and in-depth evaluations by experts. The experts determined that the match rate between the physical products and digital twins was over 90% and that each process step was conducted appropriately. The process was also deemed applicable for 50% of the industrial sector and 80% of the education sector. Therefore, this study connected the quantitative disposal of garment waste to the qualitative design and production of new material, introducing a new process strategy to maintain sustainability in the fashion industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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11 pages, 2066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Neutrality Potential of Textile Products Made from Plant-Derived Fibers

by Junran Liu, Shuyi Liu, Lisha Zhu, Lirong Sun, Ying Zhang, Xin Li and Laili Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7070; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097070 - 23 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2791

Abstract

During the growth of biomass, there are two carbon storage paths for plant-derived fibers. One path is to assimilate carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and temporarily store it in textile plants. Besides, the carbon can be captured and [...] Read more.

During the growth of biomass, there are two carbon storage paths for plant-derived fibers. One path is to assimilate carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and temporarily store it in textile plants. Besides, the carbon can be captured and stored in soil. The carbon storage capacity of textile products made from plant-derived fibers such as cotton, flax, hemp, kenaf and bamboo fiber, etc., is a non-negligible part of greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and reporting. However, there is a lack of systematic methods to evaluate carbon storage and the delayed emission effect of plant-derived fibers. In this study, the carbon storage and emission times of 100% hemp T-shirt, 100% hemp slipcover, and 100% hemp fiber handicraft were evaluated by using the soil organic carbon method, dry weight biomass method, and modeling method. The results revealed that the CO₂ storage of 1 kg hemp fiber is 1.833 kg. Meanwhile, the delayed emission effects of carbon temporarily stored in the 3 kinds of hemp fiber products are 3.83%, 19.68%, and 41.12% at different lifespans (i.e., 5, 25, or 50 years), in which case the landfill option for hemp fiber products may be preferable from carbon storage effect perspective. The results suggest that plant-derived fibers have a positive impact on climate change due to CO₂ storage, and that the carbon storage effect improves with the continued lifespan of the product. By quantifying carbon storage and the delayed emission effect of plant-derived fibers, it is beneficial to understand the potential for reducing carbon emissions, which in turn helps to promote and develop more environmentally friendly and low-carbon production processes and products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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14 pages, 1523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Assessment of the Dyeing Process for Pristine and Modified Cotton Fabrics towards the Reduction of the Environmental Fingerprint

by Zoi G. Lada, Georgios N. Mathioudakis, Silvia Pavlidou, Georgios Goulas, Charalampos Anastasopoulos, Georgios Bokias, Konstantinos S. Andrikopoulos and George A. Voyiatzis

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043144 - 9 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2606

Abstract

Though an important and chronic source of dyes released to the environment, the determination of the release of dyes that occurs during household or industrial washing is usually disregarded. The main scope of this study is to reveal the extent of dye release [...] Read more.

Though an important and chronic source of dyes released to the environment, the determination of the release of dyes that occurs during household or industrial washing is usually disregarded. The main scope of this study is to reveal the extent of dye release through washing, and to understand if the modification of cotton fabrics with cationic polymers could reduce it. Modified cotton fabrics, dyed with Acid Blue 281 (AB) or by a mixture of the reactive dyes Novacron Yellow S-3R (NY), Novacron Ruby S-3B (NR) and Novacron Dark Blue S-GL (NDB), underwent a certified washing process. The dyed fabrics were analyzed colorimetrically, while the washing waters were analyzed spectroscopically, via UV/Vis absorption and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In the modified fabrics dyed with the acid dye, an increased dye uptake was noticed that exhibited a color intensity of K/S~16, compared to K/S~0.45 of the unmodified fabrics. The corresponding normalized dye release (dye concentration/color intensity factor) in the wash water was ~1.6 for the modified fabrics, compared to ~6.5 in the case of the unmodified fabrics, indicating the significance of cotton modification on both the dye uptake and dye release during washing. In the fabrics dyed with a mixture of selected reactive dyes, the color uptake of modified (K/S~10) was also increased compared with unmodified fabrics (K/S~4.5). An important observation, is that in the case of the dyeing of the reactive dyes mixture, a selectivity on the part of the dye uptake was noticed, since the contribution of NY (yellow) is higher compared to that of the blue (positive value of color indicator coordinate (b)); however, this also resulted in an increased NY dye release during washing. The findings of this study could contribute to the dye release problem control due to fabric washing, and to the understanding of any potential selectivity on the part of dye–cotton interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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16 pages, 7825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Textiles: Design of New Weave Patterns Based on Texts

by Radostina A. Angelova and Daniela Sofronova

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1614; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021614 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

Woven textiles’ design is part of sustainable design, and new ways are being sought to minimise energy, including human power and efforts, in order to efficiently develop new weave patterns and apply them directly in the weaving mill. The design of woven textiles [...] Read more.

Woven textiles’ design is part of sustainable design, and new ways are being sought to minimise energy, including human power and efforts, in order to efficiently develop new weave patterns and apply them directly in the weaving mill. The design of woven textiles is frequently associated with the used weave pattern and the effects of colours and textures, which are a balanced mixture of materials (yarns), weaves and colour combinations. A weave pattern design method based on text inspiration is presented in our paper. It corresponds to the definition of sustainability as its concept increases the design capabilities that will last in the future. At the same time, the method adds to the existing techniques for the design of new weaves, ensuring the field’s long-term development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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15 pages, 1610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Spatial Water Footprint Assessment of Recycled Cotton T-Shirts: Case of Local Impacts in Selected China Provinces

by Shuang Chen, Fangli Chen, Lisha Zhu, Qizheng Li, Xiaopeng Wang and Laili Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010817 - 2 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4193

Abstract

In global trade, the manufacture and consumption of cotton textile products are intervening in the hydrological cycle. To address the relationship between the product system and the unsustainable use of local water resources, a spatial water footprint assessment is needed. This study presents [...] Read more.

In global trade, the manufacture and consumption of cotton textile products are intervening in the hydrological cycle. To address the relationship between the product system and the unsustainable use of local water resources, a spatial water footprint assessment is needed. This study presents a spatial water footprint method that was demonstrated in the case of domestically produced cotton T-shirts in three recycle scenarios. The results showed that the water scarcity footprint of conventional T-shirt, eco T-shirt, recycled T-shirt is 2.45 H₂O eq, 1.74 H₂O eq, 8 × 10⁻² H₂O eq, respectively, and the water-eutrophication footprint of conventional T-shirt, eco T-shirt, recycled T-shirt is 1.18 × 10⁻² PDF·m²·yr⁻¹, 9.47 × 10⁻³ PDF·m²·yr⁻¹, 4.04 × 10⁻³ PDF·m²·yr⁻¹, respectively. Two interesting results have been found. Firstly, the hydrosphere has been affected by manufacture and consumption; thus any choice made by manufacturers and consumers may lead to an impact on the water resource in a region that is far from the location. Secondly, the effect of water footprint reduction will be more apparent in places with severe water stress. The spatial water footprint offers a transparent result of each phase’s potential contribution to the local environment and could make a quantitative comparison between product stages, products, and local impacts. Thus, spatial water footprint will be a critical component in the sustainability management improvement of the supply chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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Review

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18 pages, 1197 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Textile Raw Materials: Review on Bioprocessing of Textile Waste via Electrospinning

by Dawson Wai-Shun Suen, Eve Man-Hin Chan, Yui-Yip Lau, Rachel Hiu-Pui Lee, Paul Wai-Kei Tsang, Shaobo Ouyang and Chi-Wing Tsang

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511638 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3960

Abstract

The fashion and textile industry in its current fast-rising business model has generated a huge amount of textile waste during and after the production process. The environmental impact of this waste is well documented as it poses serious threats to lives on earth. [...] Read more.

The fashion and textile industry in its current fast-rising business model has generated a huge amount of textile waste during and after the production process. The environmental impact of this waste is well documented as it poses serious threats to lives on earth. To confront the menace of this huge pollution problem, a number of research works were carried out to examine the possible re-utilization of these waste materials without further damaging the environment; for instance, reusing, generating valuable products, or regenerating fibrous materials to form a closed loop in the cotton textile waste lifecycle. This review covers different methodologies to transform cellulosic textile materials into various products with added value, such as cellulosic glucose, cellulase, etc., and finally, to regenerate the fibrous materials for re-application in textiles and fashion. This article presents an overall picture to researchers outlining the possible value addition of textile waste materials. Furthermore, the regeneration of cellulosic fibrous materials from textile waste will be brought into the limelight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Textiles)

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