The water cooler: natural vs. synthetic conundrum is one
that I can see both both pros and cons. However, in this scenario my coworker,
Sally is being closed-minded and not considering the complexity of choosing
appropriate sustainable materials.
According to the Materials Maze
reading natural fibers are not necessarily more ecofriendly than synthetic
fibers depending on the manufacturing process used. Cotton is one fiber we revisit
for a key example. Even though
cotton is cellulose based, it can still fall victim of a harmful finishing
process: dying, sizing, treating for stain and wrinkle resistance. As interior designers there is a
lot that can be said about the positive attributes of synthetic fabrics within
our industry.
Take polyester for example, polyester is by nature a
synthetic fiber (although some polyester is now being processed from corn). According to Charline Ducas, a voice
for the nonprofit organization, “Textile Exchange”, polyester is the most important
fiber out there today. Polyester
is historically made from petroleum-based chemicals; in which crude oil is its
raw material. Thus, I can see
where Sally might see the negative connotation attached to its stigma. However, when it comes to polyester the
news is not all bad. In fact,
polyester is the only fiber on the market today where you can completely close
the cycle loop. Meaning we can decompose
pre and post consumer polyester into a new polyester raw material and this
process is a continuously repeatable cycle!
For years synthetic fibers have been used in the carpet
industry in both commercial and residential applications. Traditionally Nylon has been used, but within
the last few years flooring companies are seeing the benefits of polyester.
Mohawk Flooring recently released a new carpet they call, “Polyester Fiber
Triexta PTT”. Triexta is one of
the first new forms of carpet fiber that uses a chemical combination process to
produce a polyester carpet. Their
carpet has characteristics of wear-resistance, built-in stain protection, and
luxurious softness. Although we
are coming back to the use of chemicals, this is just the beginning. If we can re-process the used polyester
carpet into new carpet then we create a continuous cycle loop, and a carpet
product that is sustainable. Plus,
if we are creating a product that last longer and performs better than other
fibers then we are getting to the real problem, PRODUCTION.
Even with natural fibers there comes production. Within natural fibers you have
categories of protein based and cellulose based, and within those categories
you have organic fibers, recycled fibers, etc. What does that mean? It means we have options, which is great. However, it also means production. According to Charline Ducas we are
missing this key issue. Until we
can simply take a fiber and create an end product without the rigorous means of
production then we are not being sustainable. Eco-effectiveness requires being completely sustainable, and
for now our industry is not there. Thus, making sound choices is a process of
understanding the environmental trade-offs associated with each alternative.
Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteYou did very well in your blog this week! Some very strong points were made regarding your argument, and you adequately used the information from the readings. I enjoyed the part in your blog about the "continuous cycle loop", and how it ties everything back into the main problem of production between synthetic and natural materials. Relating to what Charline Ducas said, how long do you think it is going to take consumers to realize the positive impacts of being completely eco-effective? Do you think we will ever be there? I believe that as a whole, we are starting to understand what choices are better to make toward being eco-friendly. However, I feel as though we aren't taking the information we know and accurately putting it to use within our consumption and production methods! Good job this week!
Mallory,
DeleteI think the information for consumers is out there, its just a matter of relaying that information to them. Before watching the video I didn't realize that there was such a difference between recycling and having a continuous cycle loop. I recycle everything from plastic bottles to cardboard, but I think realizing we can take it a step further is important. I feel as though if people cant see their impact they are making through their product choices then they have a hard time believing how much of a difference they are actually making. However, it does seem that people are making strides in the right direction. In my industry, buildings are given certain classifications depending on how "green" they were when building materials and components were chosen. Thus, giving architects and designers an obtainable goal to reach by using eco-friendly products is one way we can see this positive impact. The building certifications cause us to be more resourceful and educated when making decisions. We need to lead by example, then clients (or consumers) can then see how making adjustments to materials used can impact the environment in a positive light.
I completely agree in that the information to be more eco-effective is simply waiting to be learned and accepted by consumers. I am unfortunately guilty of not recycling as much as I should due to the lack of crystal clear differences being relayed back to me. So good for you for taking the initiative to recycle what you can! I think that the building certifications are a great gesture in the right direction toward motivating designers within your industry to be more aware of the impacts of being more material-conscious. Leading by example in the issue of sustainability is key in order to obtain a larger group of followers! Hopefully someday we will get there.
DeleteKimberly,
ReplyDeleteI think your blog this week was very well written. I agreed with a lot of points that you made. Both natural fibers and synthetic fibers both hurt our environment and until we find a way to make clothing in a more environmentally friendly way we will not be sustainable. However, there is not telling how long it will take us to come up with an answer to this problem. Until then I think it is very important that we help consumers make the best choice in buying the most environmental clothing.
Kellee,
DeleteI agree that is is very important for us to lead our clients or consumers in the right direction. As I said above to Mallory, we need to lead by example. Within our industries if we can show clients that by making even the smallest change we can help our environment become more sustained, then it is our duty to do so.
Thanks for your post!