Design & Development

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Design & Development

With about 80% of a product’s environmental impact locked at the design stage, every design decision has an impact. Explore the resources to learn how to implement the four core circular design strategies.

 
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Design For Low Waste

Design For Low Waste

With the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles landfilled or burned every second, and the volume continuing to rise steadily worldwide due to increasing production, consumption, and casual disposal of clothing, we increasingly must minimise the waste we leave behind.

Design for Low Waste is a strategy to tackle the waste issue at source, by:

  • Minimising the creation of textile waste at the onset
  • Revaluing textile considered waste by the industry
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Design for Low Impact Materials and Processes

Design for Low Impact Materials and Processes

When textile products are made, the processes used are often harmful to the environment. They may be done to increase efficiency or reduce costs, but come at the expense of our planet and people. Globally, up to 20% of industrial water pollution comes from textile dyeing and finishing.

Design for Low Impact Materials and Processes is a strategy to eliminate negative impacts at every step of the value chain, by:

  • Understanding fibres and their impact
  • Selecting the best-in-class processes
  • Tracking the impact of the products created to have a clear picture on which steps are the most waste generating and energy, water, and chemical intensive.
 
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Design for Longevity

Design for Longevity

Actively using clothing for an extra nine months can reduce carbon, waste, and water footprints by 20-30%. By creating clothing with longevity in mind, we can reduce fashion’s footprint at the use phase.

Design for Longevity is a strategy to extend the use phase of products, by:

  • Making long-lasting clothes - using good-quality materials and durable workmanship, ensuring good fit, and communicating clearly about the care instructions
  • Making clothes last for longer - facilitating an emotional bond between the wearer and garment, and exploring business models that extend the active life of clothes
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Design for Recyclability

Design for Recyclability

It is estimated that less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing. This is another area with huge potential for fashion professionals to have a positive impact.

Design for Recyclability is a strategy that ensures products never become “waste”, but instead allows for closed-loop material recovery, by:

  • Taking responsibility for the end-of-life of products
  • Considering recycling solutions and how they will impact certain product features

Read on External resources for where to find more inspiration!


 

Teaching Material

The pack is updated every year with new relevant content.

What are included in the pack:

✔ Case Studies

✔ Exercises

✔ Project Briefs

✔ Sources

✔ Slideshow Materials