Future textile needs and environmental gains from the use of odor control treatments.
Bertil Ohlsson, Ph. D. Polygiene AB
Read report “Well Dressed”
Download article “Acute water shortages in the world’s megacities”
The report ”Well dressed?” 1 provides an extensive overview of the future requirements of the textile industry. According to the report, the growth in volumes of clothing sales will be almost entirely associated with sales of polyester clothing. The report also states that washing represents at least 65% of the environmental impact of a garment, for which the consumer is responsible.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). In order to measure the beneficial effects of Polygiene- treated textiles, Polygiene commissioned a LCA study by an independent, international consulting and research organization.2 According to the study, washing a Polygiene-treated garment with its odor control effects after every second wear rather than every time after use, significantly lowers its comparative environmental impact factor (CEIF) compared to non-treated textiles.
“Well dressed?” also suggests a number of ways to change consumer behavior in order to further reduce their ecological footprints and promote social equity. These include buying fewer and more durable garments – and washing them less often. Both recommended practices go hand in hand with the findings from the LCA study, which states that having fewer more durable garments with longer wear life and washing them less minimizes the environmental impact, especially in markets such as China that have critical water shortage problems (See article ”Acute water shortages in the world’s megacities”).
Consumer education is therefore paramount to achieving meaningful change in consumer behavior and to reducing the environmental impact associated with the purchase and use of clothing. It is essential to emphasize the advantages of durability as well as how to keep clothing fresh without frequent laundering. Durable odor control treatments, like Polygiene technology, can play an important role in delivering these advantages.
Read report “Well Dressed”
Download article “Acute water shortages in the world’s megacities”
1) “Well dressed?” published by the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing, Cambridge, 2006.
2) The LCA study performed. Project 11809552 - Rasmussen Dorte & Tina Slothuus (2012): Environmental Impact Comparison of silver-treated textiles to non-treated textiles. Science of the total environment (in preparation). DHI, Hörsholm, Danmark.