Evaluating Environmental Impact of Natural and Synthetic Fibers: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach

Victoria Gonzalez, Xingqiu Lou () and Ting Chi
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Victoria Gonzalez: Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
Xingqiu Lou: Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
Ting Chi: Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: This research aims to analyze the environmental impact of six fibers in the textile industry: conventional and organic cotton, silk, jute, flax, and polyester. The study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology with a cradle-to-gate system boundary and analyzed the stages of agriculture, spinning, weaving, and dyeing. In agriculture production, five impact categories (i.e., fossil resource scarcity, global warming, land use, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and water consumption) have the most significant differences across these fibers. Polyester production significantly impacted the terrestrial ecotoxicity impact category, while stratospheric ozone depletion had a minor impact. In yarn preparation and spinning, silk has the most significant impact in most categories, followed by conventional cotton, while jute had the most minimal impact. In weaving, the most visible differences were in fossil resource scarcity, global warming, land use, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and water consumption. Conventional cotton dyeing showed significant impacts on global warming potential and terrestrial ecotoxicity. This study contributes to the limited literature on existing LCA research in the textile industry. Adding updated information will help increase the comprehension of LCA research and guide stakeholders in transitioning fashion supply chains more sustainably.

Keywords: life cycle assessments; natural fibers; synthetic fibers; textiles; environmental impact; sustainable fashion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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