Technology has come up witha new web tool to measure, and calculate the eco foot print in textiles
The world of textiles is more orless complicated with numerous processes involved right from the stage ofmaking yarns till manufacturing the complete product. All textiles have aharmful impact on the environment. With the current alarm of global warming,and making of environmentally friendly textiles, the process has become all themore convoluted. There is an industry need for identifying, and comparing theenvironmental impact of textile products, and processes. EcoMetrics is a simpleweb based tool that can be used for this process.
Every textile item releaseseffluents that are harmful to the environment. Fabrics made in eco-friendly wayreplaces the normal products. If not otherwise, replacing them with low impactproducts can also attempt to improve the situation. EcoMetrics, the web toolmakes objective assessments of the products, and processes involved in textilemaking. It is a web-based interface, which makes results accessible.
Generally, there are four majorenvironmental key factors associated with the making of textiles; Water,Energy, Pollution, and Use of non-renewable resources. Assessment is done basedon the four key issues. Units called Environmental Damage Units are developedwhich allows calculation of the total effect of textiles or the process used. Highscores are given to processes that have a colossal impact (such as usingnon-renewable resources for polyester), and similarly low scores are given toprocesses with less or no impact (like water in yarn spinning).
Results are shown in a codedgrid showing the result of energy, water, pollution, and use of othernon-renewable resources during the process. Results are shown in a visualsnapshot of the product, highlighting the high impact areas requiringattention. The chosen garment gets the scores; per kilogram of selectedtextile, per garment, and Environmental Damage Unit (EDU) for laundry duringthe lifetime of the apparel. The tool further calculates sub optimal durabilityfor every selected apparel. This is a measure showing the effect of having toreplace the non-durable merchandise. The tool will also calculate high SODU (Sub-OptimalDurability Unit) scores for low durability merchandise. 1 SODU = 1 EDU.
EcoMetrics tool is based onscience that gives concrete figures from the beginning till the end; of allprocesses involved in a textile industry, which is normally not possible.Results generated by this tool are good indications of the textile foot printsin highlighting the areas of concern. The tool is very objective, and looks atthe entire life-cycle of the product. It is simple and easy to understand anduse it.
EcoMetrics is for pro environmentpeople, and businesses. It is a powerful tool for buyers, and producershighlighting the benefits of eco-initiatives, and also motivating people tothink about the impacts caused throughout the production process.
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