Sustainability 101

The reading this week discussed the issues of over-consumption. The article by Faud and Luke stated “If there is a critical mass population that can minimize future risk around the big global issues then it is the rich 20 per cent of the global population whose total mass and flow of consumption is causing most of the problem”. Throughout the semester we have discussed the issue of over consuming and the negative effects it has on our environment at a whole. It is no surprise to me that the author of this article has discovered that same problem. I want to address this issue and help aid in over-consuming. Using what is necessary is key, although it is tough, it’s what is important.

            The article discusses the importance of customizable products that consumers are so crazy about. It states “Demands for products that are more easily personalized and customizable, tend to offer the promise of more durable emotional relationships.” I want to focus in on this and help people feel this way about products. Last week, I talked about having my own store that was environmentally friendly and focused on the upcycling of materials. I want to expand on that idea and talk about aiding in over-consumption. And what better way to do that than making my products personalized and customizable. My theory is that if my consumers have a product that is changeable, customizable, and personalized, they won’t feel the need to buy, buy, buy and waste products. I want to make a product that is set just for them so the problem of over-consumption is fixed just a bit!

            The old saying is “A girl can never have enough shoes”, but from an environmentally sustainable view on this, I may just have to disagree! Girls I know, including myself, have an overwhelming amount of shoes in their closets. We feel like we need a flat for day time, a wedge for a casual date, and a heel for a night out on the town. But what if we could incorporate all of these into one shoe? And that’s how I came up with my idea! I want to create a shoe with a detachable heel. A heel that comes in different shapes, sizes, colors, and heights. The basic shoe will be a classic look. It will come in customizable colors and shapes to fit the preference of the customer. When you buy the shoe, it will come with 3 different heel options; A wedge, a heel (of your height choice), and one more heel that’s colored (what girl wouldn’t want a spunky splash of color on their shoe!) This concept with help with the over consumption problem our generation has. Instead of buying 3 different pair of shoes, you buy on pair that are perfect for all occasions.

            I think the most important thing I have learned in this course is over consumption. I have always been involved in this problem. Before this class, I never really thought about over buying and the harm it does to my environment. I am now more aware of this issue and I want to help fix this problem. Of course, I have to start with myself on that. I will be conscious of how much I am buying. I will also make others around me aware. We have to bring awareness of this problem before it can be fixed and that is one thing I plan to do. Over and over I have talked about wanting to own my own store one day. I would like to learn how I can do this sustainably. I want to know building methods, electricity, materials, all of the above to make sure my store really is not harming our environment even more. I want to research this and understand the concepts and ways to make a store sustainable.

No Piece Left Behind

            Cradle to Cradle discusses two different techniques for sustainable design. I want to focus on their biological metabolism concept. This concept is all about upcycling. It incorporates every part of the cycle to give each step a positive outcome of its own. No piece gets left out or wasted. Every part of the cycle has a purpose, which creates a sustainable concept. I liked this concept and wanted to try it in the apparel industry.

            I thought of an apparel product that uses a little bit of upcycling itself. I wanted my product to be sustainable and use each piece as best I could. I wanted to not waste anything. T-shirts are everywhere, school campuses, local boutiques, sporting events, and more. Why not find a sustainable way to use this t-shirt? Do you ever wonder what happens to the left over materials after the cut-out for the t-shirt is made? I do! Instead of wasting this leftover fabric and materials I want to use it in a beneficial way. And what better way to do that than making accessories and shopping bags out of it? After making a t-shirt there is bound to be goods that weren’t used. I want to use these goods to make a scarf, or make a tie, or even a belt. Accessories are a big part of our fashion style today, and you really can’t ever have enough. Cotton would make a great scarf! All it would take is a new cut and a few stitches here and there, and WA-LA….you have yourself a new accessory. The plus to this is that no materials were wasted! The leftover fabric from the t-shirt cut-outs are being used for another great cause. But I don’t plan at just stopping at accessories. You can also make a re-usable shopping bag out of the leftovers too. This bag wouldn’t be hard to make. It’s a simple shape. Just add a lining for support and you have yourself a pretty sweet bag. In a previous blog, I stated how I wanted to have a store of my own one day. Well something that is important to me for my store is sustainability. I would encourage my customers to buy these re-usable, sustainable shopping bags by offering a discount for my shoppers who do. They can bring the bags in every time they come and re-use and re-use. It’s a great deal for both of us! I help keep my planet clean, and my loyal customers get a discount!

Waste Equals Fashion

The article “Cradle to Cradle” discusses the cycle of recycling. It gives pictures of how waste equals food. For example, when trees bloom, the extra blossoms fall to the ground, decompose, feed various organisms and microorganisms, and enrich the soil. Animals and humans exhale carbon dioxide , which plants take in and use for their own growth. This natural cycle runs on and on and repeats itself.

            Cradle to Cradle’s process does something good for every part involved. Nothing is wasted. Every component is used to help the next area of the cycle. This idea can be used in the fashion industry. I would like to use a cycling and recycling process dealing with the fashion industries so that we can help with the waste issue. If we use a product, I want there to be a purpose for the extra pieces that weren’t used.

            Cradle to Cradle shows us the natural way of preventing waste, and I think the apparel industry can and should adopt this idea. We can use materials that can be recycled and biodegraded back to its original components. This process can help the environment by giving back nutrients that it needs, and also help our apparel industry by reusing the materials.

            Cradle to Cradle explains that waste equals food. Let’s use this exact quote and put it in our field. Waste equals Fashion.