In the manufacturing industry, it is inevitable to avoid causing harm to the environment. Since people have been ignoring the pollution caused by industrial production in the early stage since the development of industry, they have caused huge damage to the environment during that period of time. Not until later did we realize that protecting the environment and saving resources are the most important.
" Each year, the textile sector is estimated to be responsible for up to 8 % of the global greenhouse gas emissions because of the excessive consumption of natural resources and energy ", stated Veronika Hunt Šafránková, Head of the UN Environment Programme Brussels Office, while introducing on 16 May the high-level event "Threads of Change: Systemic Transformation of the Textile Sector ", co-hosted in Brussels by UNEP and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
"The size of 86 million Olympic swimming pools of water is used by the sector every year."The textile industry worldwide also generates 9 % of microplastic pollution flowing into the oceans.These two data show that the textile industry has a relatively large demand for water resources, but also produces a lot of production waste into the ocean, causing damage to the Marine ecological environment.
"Throw-away culture" is prevalent all over the world. "The world has become addicted to fast fashion", said Inger Andersen, the UNEP Executive Director. "The throw-away culture in wealthier countries doesn't benefit anyone".
For today's consumers, they really like disposable products, disposable incontinence pads, disposable dog urine pads, disposable bibs, disposable clothing, etc., because disposable products can be discarded directly after use, you don't have to clean it, for many people do not want to spend these time on it. And some people think that disposable products may be more hygienic, and now more and more people will choose to use disposable products, which has led to many manufacturers have to increase production efforts, produce a large number of disposable products, but did not take into account whether the market is saturated, whether there is waste.
A third of the textiles unsold, "Almost 30 % of the textiles on the market are never sold. If we can find a way to reintroduce that into the second-hand market, or even reduce the amount of textiles put on the market, that could also contribute to less primary resources use". As I mentioned before, we produce so many products that some of them are not sold out, which causes us to use a lot of resources in production, and also need to use resources in destruction, but these products are not used to bring value, which leads to a waste of resources.
Fiber Solutions:The textile industry is increasingly turning to recycled fibers like Unifi Inc.'s REPREVE, SEAQUAL, and Aquafil's ECONYL to address global plastic pollution and reduce the demand for fossil fuels. These fibers divert plastic waste from land and sea, producing less greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin fibers. For example, polyesters featuring technologies like CiCLO are designed to be biodegradable, breaking down in landfill conditions within a few years, thus reducing their long-term environmental impact.
Another significant trend is the use of organic and rapidly renewable fibers. Organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo are gaining popularity due to their reduced ecological footprints. These fibers require fewer resources, such as water and pesticides, making them more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional natural fibers.
Conservation:Advances in technology are enabling textile manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices. Energy-efficient machinery, renewable energy sources, and optimized production processes help minimize waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Waterless dyeing techniques, such as those developed by Alchemie Technology, significantly reduce water usage and generate substantial energy savings.
Digital printing technology offers precise color application, reducing waste and energy consumption. This method allows for customization and smaller-scale production, further minimizing environmental impact.
Recycling:The concept of a circular economy is becoming more prevalent in the textile industry, aiming to extend the lifespan of products and reduce waste. Brands are implementing take-back initiatives, allowing customers to return used garments for recycling. Mechanical shredding and separation of fibers enable the creation of second-life products such as insulation and carpet padding.
Despite challenges in sorting, transportation, and costs, the demand for accessible textile recycling is growing. Innovative recycling processes are being developed to improve efficiency and quality outcomes.
Fiber Innovation and Biobased Materials:Innovation in fiber technology and the development of biobased materials are set to continue. Alternatives derived from agricultural waste, seaweed, and bacteria are being explored to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Advances in biotechnology and biomimicry are expected to drive further innovation, leading to novel sustainable textiles like spider silk proteins and mycelium-based leather substitutes.
The textile industry has never stopped the pace of solving environmental protection problems, we have been thinking and trying to save resources and reduce pollution emissions, and we actively improve the process to use more environmentally friendly materials to replace the previous materials.
For consumers if you are still choosing disposable incontinence pads, then this will exacerbate the pollution of the environment, because now the environment is suffering from too much emissions, too much solid waste, too much energy consumption and other problems.
--The health status of disposable products is often inferior to that of re-used products after disinfection, which has health risks.
--When disposable incontinence products decompose, they release methane into the air, which contributes to global warming.
--The plastic and absorbent gel components can take up to 500 years to break down.
--Organic waste in landfills produces leachate, a polluted liquid that can leak through the landfill lining.
So when you can't tell whether the material of the disposable incontinence pad you use is harmless to the environment, please use the reusable incontinence pad, you will indirectly participate in the protection of the environment, reduce emissions, reduce pollution.