Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Evaluating Environmental Impact of Different Fibers Utilizing a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) Approach

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Abstract

The objective of this research is to measure the environmental impact generated by commonly used fibers in different stages of the supply chain in the textile and apparel industry. This research uses the life cycle assessment approach to gain quantified estimates in specific impact categories according to the ReCiPe LCIA methodology. Ecoinvent v3.8 database was used alongside SimaPro software for modeling the process flow. The chosen fibers analyzed are 100% recycled cotton, 100% hemp, 50/50% cotton and recycled polyester, and 100% conventional cotton. The functional unit is 1,000 kg of the selected fibers with a cradle-to-gate system boundary. The findings from this research will help stakeholders and consumers to make better fiber choices and decrease the demand for unsustainable choices.

Keywords: Lifecycle Assessment, Environment, Sustainability, Textile Industry, Fashion

How to Cite:

Gonzalez, V., Lou, X. & Chi, T., (2022) “Evaluating Environmental Impact of Different Fibers Utilizing a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) Approach”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.16045