Klädproduktion för svensk marknad ur ett energiperspektiv - En komparativ studie mellan tre textila material genom influenser av LCA

Sammanfattning: The consumption of clothes in Sweden has dramatically increased since the beginning of the 2000s. Changing of attitudes towards clothing in society and accessible fast fashion are a few contributing factors. To minimize the environmental effects of clothes many clothing companies aim to choose sustainable textiles like recycled polyester and organic cotton. In this comparative study energy use of recycle polyester is being examined and compared with energy use of virgin polyester and organic cotton through a perspective of LCA. The results show that recycled polyester could in the future become an environmental friendly choice of textile, due to savings of resources and waste, but because of lack of reliable studies that cannot be shown today. Organic cotton uses less energy than virgin polyester during production but ends up releasing almost the same amount of carbon dioxide and also more sulphur oxide than virgin polyester. Hence the energy mix in the country of production is clearly associated to the environmental burden of clothing production for the Swedish market. The environmental impacts of freight transports of clothing to Sweden from producing countries are negligible compared to those from the production. Identified environmental impacts related to the energy use of clothes production are enhanced global warming, acidification, abiotic depletion and adverse effects on human health. This study is important in the environmental field to put emphasis on the impacts from parts of the apparel industry in an aim to mitigate environmental effects and it may also contribute to upcoming studies. Future studies address to the market of recycling polyester, textile techniques and textile materials, consumer behaviour and further cooperation between companies and academy.