2.02 D.2 Environmental Issues In Apparel Manufacturing

Menu: Issues and Solutions Toxic Pollutants Waste Materials in Our Landfills Apparel Production Using Up Nonrenewable Resources Textile Waste Pesticides and Insecticides in Our Soil from Fiber Crops

Issue: Toxic Pollutants in the Environment Synthetic fibers production release toxic pollutants into the air and water supply

Solution Federal laws in the 1970’s eliminated the release of these pollutants Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Toxic Substances Control Act

Issue Those Processes Now in Other Countries http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXANySLTgnQ Pollution in China

Solution How do you think we can help eliminate pollution in other countries?

Issue Waste Materials in Our Landfill

Solution: Recycling Apparel manufacturers are converting waste material and unwanted existing products into new products What can be made from water bottles?

From Water Bottles to…… Products Number of 20 ounce bottles T-shirt 19 bottles Fiberfill Ski Jacket 14 bottles Fiberfill Sleeping Bag 114 bottles Carpeting 19 bottles per square foot

Issue Nonrenewable Resources Apparel Production depleting nonrenewable resources which cannot be replaced Example: Petroleum used to make synthetic fibers

Solution Renewable Resources Using natural products that nature can replenish Examples: Trees and plants

Fibers From a Renewable Resource Lyocell: wood pulp of eucalyptus trees Sorona: corn Rayon: bamboo fibers

Issue Textile Waste The EPA estimates 13.1 million tons of textile waste was generated in 2012. 5.2% of municipal waste What can be done to reduce the amount of textile waste? Check the CIA World Factbook web site, Economy tab for statistic update.

Solution Eliminating Textile Waste Donate for reuse or resale Turn in to companies to recycle like Patagonia Repurpose textile products

Issue Soil Pollutants Insecticides and Pesticides used in fiber crops

Solution Organically Grown Fibers Environment friendly Genetically modified seeds and planted resistant to pests Grown without harmful pesticides and fertilizers