Final Blog!

Final Blog!

Being socially responsible through design is equally as important as being environmentally responsible. According to the Fuad Luke reading, design activism involves using product design as a way to address social issues in our word. It would be great if we, as a society of over-consumers, were able to address both problems (social and environmental) with a singular solution. In the United States, we have a problem with over-consumption. Everybody has way more “stuff” than is necessary for meeting basic everyday needs. We have an outfit for every occasion, 20 pairs of shoes, and accessories galore. Meanwhile, people in other countries are glad to have any piece of clothing that will keep them warm, and just one pair of shoes so they can walk to school or work without hurting their feet or contracting diseases.

Because we are in the position that we are as a country, we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate. However, we don’t want to provide them with products that will harm their environment either. To solve this issue, we first need to focus on implementing Cradle to Cradle practices in our society by keeping our biological and technical resources separate. We can accomplish this by producing clothes and shoes that are 100% cotton or other natural, biodegradable products. When we grow tired of these products, we can then send these clothes and shoes to countries that need them. When the products finally lose all of their function and need to be discarded, they can be used as nutritional resources and fed back into the earth. This way, we are able to provide clothing for those in under-consuming countries while also providing nutritional resources for the earth.

In summation of this course, I would like to say that I have learned a great deal about the problems facing our world and some of the solutions that are being implemented. Of all these things, the most important thing that I learned was that I, as a designer, have a very important role in making sure that sustainable practices are being used in my industry. I can use this knowledge to specify the best products and keep sustainability in mind when selecting textiles for interior applications. I am very interested in learning more about Cradle to Cradle implementations in the industry. As of right now, I feel that Steelcase, in partnering with the Cradle to Cradle founders to develop new products, is one of the leading commercial furniture companies when it comes to truly sustainable options.

No More Blends!

No More Blends!

According to the Cradle to Cradle reading, the most important aspect of maintaining a closed-loop product is to ensure that biological nutrients remain separate from technical nutrients. Biological nutrients would be classified as products that are biodegradable and can return to the earth as a source of nourishment. In order for this to be achieved, the biological nutrient must not be contaminated with chemicals (such as dyes) or synthetic materials (as found in a blended fiber product). Likewise, in order for technical nutrients to return to the technical metabolism as a “food” source, it must not be contaminated with biological nutrients.

Blended textiles are very popular in current times because of the benefits associated with being able to blend the properties of these fibers. For example, a cotton/polyester blend is very popular in t-shirts because the cotton is soft, breathable, and comfortable while the polyester provides durability. However, a cotton/polyester blended t-shirt cannot be disposed of safely into the earth. Likewise, the polyester cannot be retrieved out of the shirt to be reused in other synthetic applications.

In order for Cradle to Cradle to truly take hold in the textile industry, we need to focus on keeping these two “food” sources separate. One way to approach this is from a regulatory standpoint. If it were considered hazardous or illegal to cross-contaminate biological and technical resources, companies would be forced to redesign their products to be true to the appropriate metabolism. This could be determined in a similar fashion to how health and safety inspections are done in food establishments and commercial areas. There would be a “rating” system that would be implemented to allow consumers to be aware of how the company is performing. If the company is performing exceptionally poor, there may even be consequences as harsh as a shut-down until the issues are addressed. Heath department inspections already carry this weight and have the power to shut-down a business due to failing such an inspection. If companies are putting the health of the consumer as risk by practicing irresponsible manufacturing methods and creating environmentally unhealthy products, then the consequences should match the offense.

By rethinking the way that we view sustainability, and shaping policies accordingly, we can really begin to see widespread changes in the way we handle day to day operations. Unsustainable production methods are a health concern. The health of the environment and the health of the people are both as stake when companies fail to use sustainable closed-loop design and production practices. This is why we should implement an inspections and rating system for production and manufacturing.