A New Question

When developing my solution to an environmental problem, I first had to break down the two principles of the cradle-to-cradle concept and apply each to the apparel industry and weigh the pros and cons of each. The Rhoener Textiles video really helped to give some visual insight and valuable information on biological and technical metabolisms which are each a valuable piece to the cradle-to-cradle puzzle. Biological metabolism embodies the concept that any product created can be naturally broken down and reconsumed.  Specifically, this is considered “products of consumption.” This is a great concept but I think in terms of the apparel industry, technical metabolism can be more easily applied. This is a closed cycle that doesn’t contaminate the environment any further and is considered “products of service.”

In the apparel industry, we value all the unique designs and products that set everyone apart. In our reading Food Equals Waste, the author states that “we recognize and understand the value of feeling special, even unique.” Our mental modes of looking at products/clothing needs to shift from the cradle-to-grave and to “reincarnation.” What this means is that as consumers and manufacturers, we need to look beyond the obvious use of the product and think more in-depth about how the product can be manipulated into something new instead of discarded once the product is worn or considered old. This is where my solution stems from.

So what’s the problem?

I feel that many consumers possess the cradle-to-grave mindset which has a negative impact on our environment. The easy route is to either throw the garment out or donate it once the consumer believes that the product is no longer of use to him or her. By throwing out apparel we are filling our landfills and hurting our environment.

Where do we go from here?

My solution to shift the cradle-to-grave mindset is to develop a system that helps consumers develop the cradle-to-cradle mindset and look beyond the obvious. This requires more effort from the manufacturers and companies involved in the apparel industry but can drastically improve the sustainability of the industry. I think that companies should implement a web-based blog or website that gives step by step information on how to “reincarnate” specific items that they sell. For example, Free People sells beautiful and unique garments that really grasp the importance of a consumer feeling special and unique. Free People can take the next step in just selling it to providing a link on their website to a new page that shows a consumer how to take a shirt and either enhance it (example: how to create fringed edges) or make it into a completely different product (example: headband and matching bracelets).

The last paragraph of our reading really had an impact on me and my old way of thinking. It states,

“Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Negligence is described as doing the same thing over and over even though you know it is dangerous, stupid or wrong. Now that we now, it’s time for a change.”

It is time to make a change in our lifestyle and mental modes. I believe we are all capable of stepping up to the plate and making a difference.



Inspiration from the Morpho Butterfly

Biomimicry is a hard concept to grasp. Kate Fletcher best describes the concept in chapter 6 Local and Light by breaking down the concept into three parts. The three basic approaches of biomimicry can be summed as 1. using nature as a role model 2. using nature as a measuring device and 3. using nature as a mentor. All in all if we were to go back to the very basics and the way nature works, we stand a better chance at solving a lot of the environmental problems we have caused. My concept this week is getting the designers and manufacturers to shift their mental modes to reflect nature in their designs in hopes of creating a more sustainable future.  

In my previous post I developed a concept that would help motivate people to recycle using two IE concepts developed by Janine Benyus. I took two more concepts to help inspire my decision to address the issue on the designer’s level. One concept that elaborates and inspires my idea of motivating designers is minimizing the use of materials. If manufacturers and designers were to take on this burden and really think about what materials are used in the design process, we would be able to reduce our environmental footprint. Bradley Quinn elaborates on this IE concept in chapter 5 Sustainability when he goes into depth about morphotex. This revolutionary colorful textile is created without any dyes or pigments. This textile is modeled after the South American morpho butterfly that actually contains no pigments in their wings. The color in the textile is created by weaving polyester and nylon and changes colors depending on the way the light is reflected through the fabric. We could be one step closer to a sustainable future if more designers were to implement this into their design concept.

Another IE concept that influences my idea of getting designers to shift their mental modes is the idea to gather and use energy efficiently. The design process demands a lot of long hours and consequently, a lot of energy is consumed. Designers could take on the initiative of finding a way to power the manufacturing plants and design studios through wind or hydropower. This could cut down the use of our depleting resources (gas, oil and coal) and allow for a more sustainable future.

Every Action Bears a Consequence

Every action bears a consequence.

               This concept statement really applies to the idea of the industry continuum. The article, Industrial Ecology, really summarizes this reoccurring theme and states “every industrial activity is linked to thousands of other transactions and activities and to their environmental impacts.” Every decision our apparel, textile or interior industry manufacturers make, will eventually affect everyone and everything in our environment. Being involved in the industry, we must learn how to answer and fulfill customers needs while trying to remain as sustainable as possible. This idea of maintaining a balance with the two is called industrial ecology (IE).

               One of the major problems I feel needs to be addressed is motivating consumers to take the initiative to actually recycle materials. How do we get others to step up to the challenge of practicing recycling and make it a part of their daily lives? One concept that I think will benefit the consumers, manufacturers and the environment is through a rewards program.

               In the chapter, How Will We Conduct Business?, Janine Benyus discusses 10 key principles that will help us achieve a more sustainable future. The two concepts that pertain to my idea of rewarding consumers are 1. use waste as a resource and 2. optimize rather than maximize.

               The principle of using waste as a resource is the primary inspiration for my sustainable idea. Benyus asks the question, “what happens when a product leaves the manufacturer’s gates and passes to the consumer and finally to the trash can?” The answer I have come up with is proposing a “middle man” type of service. I think that apparel and interior stores should practice a rewards program of taking back used products or shopping bags and offering either a discount or store credit. This will address the issue of motivating consumers to recycle and help cut down on products being thrown out because they are no longer relevant in the person’s life.  

               The second principle that influenced my concept is the idea of optimizing rather than maximizing. This principle will help the manufacturers and the industry emphasize the importance of quality and not quantity. Let’s say, before a store implements this rewards concept, a consumer purchases the same shirt in multiple different colors and patterns because they think they will wear them all. Well most of the time when this happens, most people will wear one of the colors regularly and therefore they have increased their waste when they go to throw out their shirts when they are no longer trendy. By offering this system, the consumer can return the shirts to the store and the store can then turn around and recycle them to the manufacturer and then the manufacturer can take the necessary steps to reuse the materials in new products.

               I feel these principles and reward concept will help cut down on product waste and help shift our mental modes towards a more sustainable future.