Sustainability Exam 1
Distribution centers are the most efficient for small fashion brand companies that ship merchandise directly to the consumer.
FALSE
____ reflect companies' compliance with or exceeding legal limits of use of hazardous substances across their supply chains.
Restricted substance lists
repurpose
using waste materials again with new purpose
recycle
waste materials are made suitable for reuse
20% of industrial water pollution comes from textile dyeing and treatment
TRUE
social justice is goal AND process
goal: full and equal participation, process: ensure distribution of resources is equitable
external advocacy
local, federal and global inclusion policies
fit obsolescence
no longer fits due to changes in body or laundering
psychological obsolescence
no longer projects individual's self image
The phrase ____ refers to three equal aspects that companies need to address: economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental quality.
triple bottom line
4 stages of product life cycle
1. Introduction 2. Growth 3. Maturity 4. Decline
environmental impacts of conventional cotton:
1. consumed less than HALF the energy required for production of polyester and viscose 2. water consumption VERY high due to cultivation process 3. transportation has big environmental impact 4. has HIGHEST toxicity impact due to chemicals used
strategies for longevity of use in design
1. high quality and durable fabrics and construction techniques 2. classic design or design for style adaptability 3. fewer and trans-seasonal collections 4. modular and/or multi-functional designs
4 steps of fashion process
1. new fashion created 2. public introduction 3. acceptance 4. obsolescence
3 types of textile waste
1. pre-consumer textile waste: created during manufacturing process (fabric scraps) 2. post-consumer textile waste: carpets, towels, etc. thrown away by consumers 3. industrial waste: generated from industry practices (filters and wiping rags)
3 methods of slow fashion movement
1. use of small-scale, traditional techniques 2. local sourcing 3. co-creation/co-production
strategies to reduce carbon footprint:
1. using products not the by-product of fossil fuel 2. reduce energy used from non-renewable resources 3. increase use of renewable energy resources 4. decrease overall energy use
Which of the following statements about textile waste is true?
Preconsumer textile waste includes fabric selvages, fabric scraps, and fabric left over from the cutting process.
Both pre- and postconsumer textile waste materials can be converted for use in industry applications (e.g., wiping rags, filters, spill absorption).
TRUE
Economic sustainability occurs when social and environmentally sustainable practices are financially feasible.
TRUE
Environmental sustainability is considered as one of the biggest challenges of today due to urbanization, industrialization, modern agricultural practices, and increased emission of greenhouse gases leading to global warming.
TRUE
In general, fashion brand companies strive to minimize the amount and distance components and finished goods must travel.
TRUE
Inaccurate sales forecasting can result in overproduction of merchandise and surplus of inventory.
TRUE
Lenzing's Tencel® lyocell is one of the most common of commercially available environmentally responsible manufactured fibers.
TRUE
Lyocell is the most environmentally responsible method to create a regenerated cellulosic fiber.
TRUE
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, clothing was handmade to create one's own clothes.
TRUE
Results of life cycle assessment of organic cotton indicated that organic cotton production uses less water and energy than the production of conventional cotton.
TRUE
Social change refers to transformation of cultural and social institutions over time.
TRUE
Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or improve standards of living without damaging or depleting natural resources for present and future generations.
TRUE
The Industrial Revolution led to the mechanization of the garment sewing process, resulting in the rise of contract factories, homework, and sweatshops.
TRUE
The LCA of a pair of Levi's® 501® Jeans revealed that consumer care and fabric production had the greatest impact on climate change and energy use.
TRUE
Upcycling preconsumer textile waste into fashion collections is a form of zero waste fashion design.
TRUE
Which of the following is not a goal of environmental sustainability?
reduce reliance on energy resources such as solar energy and energy from wind
A fashion brand company's ____ include the policies and requirements for customers to exchange or send back defective, incorrect (e.g., incorrect size), unwanted merchandise.
return plan
economic sustainability occurs when ___ and ___ sustainable practices are financially possible
social and environmentally
style/aesthetic obsolescence
style of product no longer perceived as fashionable
relationship between time and sales vary on...
style, fashion and fad
carbon footprint
the measurement to evaluate and communicate the amount of fossil fuels consumed
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), bluesign® standard, and the Recycled Claim Standard by Textile Exchange are all examples of _____.
third-party certifications for textile products
goal of LCA:
to understand product's environmental footprint
Physical distribution of fashion products refers to the outbound flow of goods from the factory to the consumer.
true
Which of the following is not an example of ways in which fashion brand companies enhance the environmental sustainability of their building and facilities?
use of non-renewable energy such as natural gas
Which of the following is an example of postconsumer textile waste?
used clothing that ends up in landfill
zero waste fashion design
using ALL scraps and leftover fabric
Of the following fibers used to make materials for apparel, the least environmentally responsible is:
viscose rayon
open loop recycling:
recycled materials converted into new raw materials and products
longevity of use
-extending the life of fashions -strategies included throughout the life cycle of products -requires intentional behaviors from both the manufacturer and consumer
LYOCELL
-form of rayon that consists of cellulose fiber -Tencel(TM) comes from pulp of trees dissolved in non-toxic organic solvent -can be blended with other fibers -best known for soft touch and comfort -flows like rayon -resists wrinkles like polyester knit -
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARD IN SUSTAINABLE APPAREL strategies to reduce water consumption:
-use less water to grow cotton -eliminate chemicals in waste/recycled water -use less water in fiber processing -less water use in care of apparel
product life cycle assessment (LCA)
Analysis & measurement of environmental footprint related to the product through examining inputs, outputs & potential environmental impacts (ISO)
triple bottom line
profit: economic sustainability, people: performance of social responsibility, and planet: environmental responsibility
higg index
Collection of tools that enables companies of all sizes at every stage in production to accurately measure & score company or product's sustainability performance
According to the triple bottom line framework, companies need to address three bottom lines in their decision-making: financial profit, company growth, and reducing cost of doing business.
FALSE
Although human trafficking and exploitation of factory workers in the global fashion industry was an issue in the past, industry alliances and social compliance programs have essentially alleviated these practices.
FALSE
Although there are numerous certifications that verify organic cotton, there are no certifications for other organic fibers.
FALSE
In the textile mills, the work was very labor intensive which attracted strong men.
FALSE
It is always less expensive for direct-to-consumer fashion brand companies to send a new product (e.g., new size, non-defective) to a customer without requiring them to return the wrong, unwanted, or defective product.
FALSE
It is estimated that approximately 85% of all postconsumer textile waste is recovered (e.g., recycled, reused, etc.).
FALSE
Life cycle assessments are easy to conduct and provide companies with a single "score" related to the environmental impact of their products.
FALSE
Most conventional cotton is grown in countries and regions that have plentiful water supplies; therefore, reducing water pollution is the primary issue associated with production of conventional cotton.
FALSE
The most effective strategy a fashion brand company can implement to enhance environmental sustainability is to increase the consumption of non-renewable resources.
FALSE
The price of clothing over time has gone up, making it difficult for consumers to purchase clothing now than in the early 1900s.
FALSE
Unfortunately, most environmentally responsible materials have been developed for proprietary use of fashion brand companies and are not available for other companies to purchase and/or use.
FALSE
Wastewater created through the wet processing techniques in textile production is an example of postconsumer textile waste.
FALSE
Wool is the most common natural fiber used to create apparel products, which accounts for almost half of all fibers used in textiles.
FALSE
Which of the following statements about packaging is true?
Fashion brand companies can reduce the environmental impact of packaging by reducing the amount of fillers used in the container.
The ___ is a collection of self-assessment tools that designers, product developers, and sourcing analysts can use in measuring the environmental impact of their product development decisions.
Higg Index
Which of the following statements about life cycle assessment (LCA) is false?
LCAs are the best method for determining the potential value of marketing environmentally responsible products.
Fashion brand companies strive to have the ____ sales forecasts possible to assure economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
MOST ACCURATE
is there formal legislation on fashion diversity and inclusion laws in US?
NO!
equity is the GOAl, not the process. the goal:
promote justice, impartiality, and fairness
Which of the following statement about sustainability is false?
Social sustainability occurs when individuals move across borders and the diversity of communities expand.
____ is exemplified by companies that have continued financial success over time and have contributed to the economic development of a community or region with business practices that foster social equity and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable development
A fashion brand company may use the Higg Index to assess environmental and social/labor impact of decisions.
TRUE
A key strategy in reducing the amount of water used by the fashion industry is to eliminate chemicals in wastewater and increase water recycling in textile dyeing and finishing processes.
TRUE
Taking used/worn sweaters that can no longer be worn and creating mittens, pillows, and blankets from the materials is an example of ____ postconsumer textile waste.
UPCYCLING
closed loop recycling
focused on supply chain sustainability -> new fabrics
technical obsolescence
When a product is no longer technically superior to other similar products.
fast fashion
accelerated fashion process as new fashion is introduced on regular basis
Strategies to reduce the amount of water used by the fashion industry include all of the following except:
adding chemicals to wastewater to improve its recyclability
yulex
alternative to synthetic fiber (bio-rubber)
reclaimed fibers
collecting fabrics scraps to create a new fiber
If a fashion brand company wanted to ship large quantities of basic merchandise from their factories in China to their retail outlets in the United States, the company would most likely use which of the following modes of transportation?
combination of ocean or sea freight and truck freight
slow fashion movement
create more sustainable industry through systems thinking, extending product life and enhancing consumer connections
inclusion refers to...
degree that diverse individuals are able to participate in decision making processes
upcycle
discarded materials are transformed to create items of higher value than what was discarded, WITHOUT changing composition of original material
social change
discernible transformation of cultural and social institutions over time
fashion cycle
dynamic mechanism of change though which a potential new fashion is created and transmitted from point of creation to public introduction, acceptance and obsolescence
how are fashion items promoted?
fashion show, fashion editorials, fashion advertising in magazines + media, store displays
internal advocacy
in-house policies for inclusion amongst employees
supplier/vendor
inclusion policies between supplier and vendor
universal design
inclusive design made by considering diverse needs
Which of the following is not a strategy used by fashion brand companies to decrease the environmental impact of their products?
increased use of non-renewable energy sources
Social sustainability: ability for social system/community functions ______________ at a certain level of social welfare through common structures and processes
indefinitely
economic obsolescence
less costly to purchase new item than repair old item
the industrial revolution birthed...
machine made products -> ready to wear fashion
the largest amount of all textile waste is...
post consumer textile waste