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.
Hi, Kelli;
ReplyDeleteThis is very well explained and exceptionally organized. I think the average consumer would really be able to understand this explanation of a really complicated process. I really like this idea that you have, but I'd like to see you become more specific in your proposal. Such as, giving examples of the type of company that would do this, the types of information they would disclose, the visuals that may be needed to help consumers understand, etc. Use these think tank approaches to really flesh out an idea. Then, you'll have some quality approaches to choose from for your final project. Have a good weekend!
I like your thought of transforming a shirt into something new or different, but I do not see a company posting a site to transform their own clothes into something new because it's all about making money in their eyes. I have found techniques like transforming a shirt into a headband or adding fringe on the popular site of Pinterest which has more people up-cycling their materials more than ever, but what about the extra waste, the pieces that are cut off and thrown into the trash? In the video of Rhoener Textiles, they use material and dyes that can become compost and be food for the earth. Designers also need to make their clothes and textiles out of materials that are not harmful to the earth and can become food for something else.
ReplyDeleteKelli, I agree that the apparel industry is technical dominate. I actually have a few things from Free People. On thing that I have from there is an old recycled shirt that they acid washed and have turned into a fashionable shirt. I know a few other companies who do that too. There is a store in Oklahoma City that buys thrift store clothes and upcycles them into new fashionable clothes. I like your idea about the web-based blog and website because in today's society everyone is more technical savvy. Maybe with that concept, you could reach out to companies with your own ideas. I think it would be a neat idea for consumers to customize those reincarnated ideas from the companies. The statement in the article, Cradle-to-Cradle, "Whatever humans make does not go "away"" is very accurate because sometimes the most fashionable and sustainable things are used over and over again. I took this statement from a different perspective because I like to reuse and upcycle some of my own clothes like Free People. You had a great blog this week, it was very easy to read and understand. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea. I think that we as consumers need to think about how they could manipulate a garment into another or a enhanced version of the original. I agree with Maegan. I think that most companies are all about the money, which means they need to change their mental mode. The web-based blog idea would be a hit for most people our age, but I'm not sure how appealing it is for other age groups. In the video for this week he spoke about "growing", I think that your idea stems from this, taking a garment and altering it (growing) to make it different than before.
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