Do I agree/disagree with the following questions relating to the textile industry.
As I neither agree totally or disagree wholly on most questions I have chosen to respond as follows.
Our society values economic gain over the environment……
Modern consumption habits cannot continue………
Not every consumer’s habits see them purchasing ‘fast fashion’ but in response to consumers who do feed an unnecessary need, to overfill their wardrobes, manufacturers competing against industry rivals to entice the consumer with ever decreasing prices, have moved their industry to lower wage countries overseas.
I believe we are a long way off a ‘cyclical economy’ where global innovation in the way fibres and fabrics are designed, produced, consumed and waste managed in a truly sustainable life-cycle.
Companies such as Marks and Spencer have gone some way to educate consumers in waste management with their ‘shwop’ bins. H&M have a similar scheme.
Legislation would need to be imposed to ensure designers and manufacturers made sustainable choices, otherwise it will be a long time evolving naturally and our planet’s resources may face exhaustion.
I believe governments, corporations and organisations should work together to provide education on Ecological Responsibility, in order to change, educate and create understanding, so that our future generations become innovators, and work globally as one to reverse our over-consumption of resources and create a sustainable future. However the collective will of governments has always fallen short of what is required.
In the future our needs for ”more stuff” will be met differently….
It is up to the consumer to seek out sustainable products……
In time I hope people work together to bring about sustainability in the products we buy and choose. If our children are educated as previously mentioned and those who know now share and respond to a need for change, our perception, philosophy and market trends will evolve.
The consumer’s main obstacle to this evolution, is that organisations (governments, corporations) who are already aware of these principles are more motivated by profits and efficiency than sustainability.
It is up to designers to create desirable consumer goods that are sustainable…….
Natural is always best……..
The designer, manufacturer, retailer and consumer all play a part in shaping a sustainable future.
Designers and manufacturers must step up to the challenge of establishing a foundation of ‘good practice’ and developing more sustainable ways of thinking about material diversity. Developing a portfolio of new alternative fibres with suppliers such as low-chemical and organic cotton, hemp, lyocell, wool and PLA. Which is the most appropriate fibre for their product. Consideration of raw material renewability, processing chemicals, emissions, recycling and biodegradability.
Natural fibres are not always good nor are synthetics bad.
Synthetic fibre manufacture inpacts on people and the environment, while natural fibre growing and processing causes substancial environmental impact.
There has already been a shift in thinking on oil-based synthetic fabrics such as Polyester and Nylon that are non-renewable and non-biodegradable. Instead cellulosic fibres are considered such as Cotton Lyocell, polylactic acid (PLA) from Corn starch and Soya bean fibre.
It is imperative that we begin to work together, evaluate, design and manufacture responsibly considering ‘Ecological Accountability’
Bibliography : Fletcher, K. (2014). Sustainable Fashion & Textiles: Design Journeys (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
