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Factors Allowing Users to Influence the Environmental Performance of Their T-Shirt

Author

Listed:
  • Mélanie Schmutz

    (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

  • Roland Hischier

    (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

  • Claudia Som

    (Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

Abstract

Cotton t-shirts are a basic clothing item that everyone possesses. To date, no studies have taken into account the consumers’ perspective, even though they can play an important role regarding the actual environmental impact of their clothing items. Therefore, a life cycle assessment study was performed in order to inform the public about the environmental impacts of a typical cotton t-shirt and the relevance of consumer behavior (i.e., washing and drying) on the overall impacts along the entire life cycle of such a t-shirt. The aim was to provide hints, allowing users to reduce the impacts of their t-shirts. While the production phase was based on global data, the use phase focused on Switzerland as the study was established in the context of an exhibition in the Textile Museum in St. Gallen (Switzerland). With this study, it was found that users have various choices in order to make their t-shirt more sustainable. Wearing the t-shirt throughout its entire life expectancy was found to be the most important factor influencing the overall environmental performance of such a clothing item. The relevance of filling the washing machine to maximum capacity, washing at a lower temperature, or using a tumbler was also illustrated. In addition, choosing materials other than cotton or choosing textiles labelled for lower environmental impacts during production could further improve the environmental performance of t-shirts.

Suggested Citation

  • Mélanie Schmutz & Roland Hischier & Claudia Som, 2021. "Factors Allowing Users to Influence the Environmental Performance of Their T-Shirt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2498-:d:505929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roland Hischier, 2018. "Car vs. Packaging—A First, Simple (Environmental) Sustainability Assessment of Our Changing Shopping Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Paola Lenzo & Marzia Traverso & Giovanni Mondello & Roberta Salomone & Giuseppe Ioppolo, 2018. "Sustainability Performance of an Italian Textile Product," Economies, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Nynne Marie Bech & Morten Birkved & Fiona Charnley & Louise Laumann Kjaer & Daniela C. A. Pigosso & Michael Z. Hauschild & Tim C. McAloone & Mariale Moreno, 2019. "Evaluating the Environmental Performance of a Product/Service-System Business Model for Merino Wool Next-to-Skin Garments: The Case of Armadillo Merino ®," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Kirsi Laitala & Ingun Grimstad Klepp & Beverley Henry, 2018. "Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Ness, Barry & Urbel-Piirsalu, Evelin & Anderberg, Stefan & Olsson, Lennart, 2007. "Categorising tools for sustainability assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 498-508, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maja Wiprächtiger & Melanie Haupt & Andreas Froemelt & Magdalena Klotz & Claudio Beretta & Dominik Osterwalder & Vanessa Burg & Stefanie Hellweg, 2023. "Combining industrial ecology tools to assess potential greenhouse gas reductions of a circular economy: Method development and application to Switzerland," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 254-271, February.
    2. Beatrice Salieri & Natasha Stoudmann & Roland Hischier & Claudia Som & Bernd Nowack, 2021. "How Relevant Are Direct Emissions of Microplastics into Freshwater from an LCA Perspective?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Maja Wiprächtiger & Martina Rapp & Stefanie Hellweg & Rhythima Shinde & Melanie Haupt, 2022. "Turning trash into treasure: An approach to the environmental assessment of waste prevention and its application to clothing and furniture in Switzerland," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1389-1405, August.

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