Pedagogy and Professional Development

Infusing Environmental Sustainability into Textile and Apparel Curriculum: Professional Development Needs for a Discipline in Transition

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Abstract

In recent years there is evidence that apparel industry firms are beginning to acknowledge the environmental impacts of their products and processes. For example, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) was founded by a group of apparel industry, trade, governmental, and non-profit organizations as a collaborative initiative to reduce the environmental consequences of the soft goods industry (i.e., water use and quality; energy and emissions; waste; chemicals and toxicity) as well as social and labor issues (www.apparelcoalition.org/desired-outcomes). As these and other industry leaders invest in and support change toward greater sustainability, the educational programs that prepare young textile and apparel (TA) professionals must evolve as well. Incorporating environmental sustainability competencies and learning outcomes into textile and apparel curriculum is becoming an imperative.

Keywords: sustainability, Education, development

How to Cite:

LeHew, M. L., Armstrong, C. M. & Hiller, K. Y., (2013) “Infusing Environmental Sustainability into Textile and Apparel Curriculum: Professional Development Needs for a Discipline in Transition”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 70(1).