Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu

Carbon Footprint Reduction in the Textile Process Chain: Recycling of Textile Materials

It is an important task of people connected with the textiles and clothing sector to work on the feasible ways to trim down the carbon footprint in each phase of a textile product’s life cycle. One of the possible ways to decipher the reduction of carbon footprint of textiles and clothing sector is to recycle the textile process waste and also to recycle at the end-of-life of textile products and these aspects are exemplified in this paper in detail. Detailed investigation of the possibilities, barriers, challenges to recycle textile waste materials are discussed in this paper with relevant case studies. For recycling of process waste, an example was modelled by recycling the process waste and the carbon footprint results were demonstrated with the aid of 7.3 version of SIMAPRO LCA (Life cycle assessment) software. From the results of this case study, it was understood that recycling of process waste would contribute to the direct reduction of carbon footprint. For the second case of recycling at the end-of-life, there are many barriers and challenges to the textile products to be recycled, which are discussed in detail. For this case, two hypothetical situations were defined and the carbon footprint results of them were modeled and demonstrated with the aid of 7.3 version of SIMAPRO software to illustrate the benefits of recycling to reduce the carbon footprint. Designers need to conisder, “Ecological Design” in design phase to address most of the difficulties faced by recycling of textile products at the end-of-life, which will of certain help to reduce the carbon footprint of the textile products.

Assessment of eco‐functional properties of shopping bags: Development of a novel eco‐functional tester

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a novel test instrument to quantify the eco‐functional properties of various shopping bags. One of the main properties, which lies at the interface of both ecological and functional properties, is the reusability of shopping bags. Other properties at this juncture also include the impact strength and weight holding capacity of a shopping bag.Design/methodology/approach – The developed tester can be used to assess these three properties (reusability, impact strength and weight holding capacity) of any type of shopping bag. This study discusses the concept and development of an eco‐functional tester for shopping bags. It also reports test results of the reusability, impact strength and weight holding capacity of different types of shopping bags. Reusability and impact strength are expressed by two variants: absolute maximum capability and comparative maximum capability.Findings – According to the test results, plastic bags outscore paper b...

A Critical Review on Life Cycle Assessment Studies of Diapers

One of the challenging issues to be dealt in priority and of any countrys agenda today is the management of solid waste, and it is a difficulty to environmentalists also. Diapers are one of the important products leading to this waste management issue. Diapers are classified into two major categories: single use (disposable) and reusable. Landfills of any country are mainly clogged with disposable products, such as diapers. It is one of the problematic topics of today that needs to be investigated in detail. There is a longstanding debate among environmentalists to conclude disposable and reusable diapers in terms of which one poses more threat to the environment. The authors aim to critically review this issue and discusses the major findings from the previous studies along with highlighting of the gaps in the literature in each area of environmental impact studies on diapers. They also recommend the scope for further research as far as the studies associated with diapers are concerned.

Carbon and eco-footprints of adult incontinence products

This research article discusses the modelling and simulation results of carbon and eco-footprints of adult incontinence products. Four types of products are considered in this study: two types of diapers-commercial and new diapers and two types of pants-commercial and new type of pants. New types of diapers and pants were developed by our research team in the Institute of Textiles & Clothing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Carbon and eco-footprints were modeled by using IPCC 2001 method (100 Years) and ecological footprint method (taken from Ecoinvent 2.0) of SIMAPRO 7.3.2 version of LCA software. Datasets from Ecoinvent database inbuilt with SIMAPRO software were used to build the life cycle scenarios. Life cycle scenarios of four types of incontinence products were built for the entire life cycle of products from cradle to grave stages. In this research study, the contribution analysis (hot-spots in the life cycle stages) of carbon and eco-footprints of each type of product under consideration are highlighted. From the modeling and simulation results, it was noticed that the new reusable pants created the lowest carbon and eco-footprints compared to its counterparts. New type of diaper created slightly higher carbon and eco-footprints compared to the commercial diaper type. From the process contribution analysis, it was found that the production and disposal of SAP, generation of electricity for polypropylene, production processes of cotton were the contributors of major impacts in the order of hierarchy. From this detailed LCA study, it was understood that if the new type of reusable pants will be used without disposable inserts, it can bring carbon and eco-footprints significantly down.

Textiles and Clothing Sustainability

▶ The very first journal dedicated to sustainability of textiles and clothing ▶ Covers a wide range of sustainability and environmental impact assessment aspects of textiles and clothing products ▶ Designed to foster Sustainability issues of textiles, clothing and fashion technologies ▶ Provides a unique platform to exchange the concepts and ideas of sustainability issues of textiles and clothing supply chain between researchers and industrial experts.

The textile supply chain and its environmental impact

This chapter reviews the entire supply chain for textiles and the clothing sector in terms of various processes from fibre to finished products and their environmental impacts. It also investigates the environmental impacts of different stages in the life cycle of textile products from the cradle to the grave.

Examples and Case Studies

There has been a significant increase in the global sales volume of new fashion clothing over the last ten years, rising the volumes of subsequent disposals. While it is increasingly emphasized that the consumer needs to slow down the fast consumption patterns in order to reduce the waste generation, alternative strategies to divert wastes from landfill have been identified. In the recent past, designers have started remanufacturing discarded clothing by transforming them into timeless, unique fashion pieces. This chapter illustrates the design and construction phases of the fashion remanufacturing process and discusses the implications to mass market approach.