Design & Development of Children’s Wear Using Pre-consumer Textile Waste: A Sustainable Approach

Harshita Bhown

Assistant Professor

Department of Fashion & Textiles

IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur

Abstract: The textile and apparel industry in India is a significant contributor to waste generation and environmental pollution. To address this issue, sustainable practices such as textile recycling and upcycling have gained attention. This research paper focuses on utilizing pre-consumer textile waste to design and develop children’s wear, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of fashion products. The paper explores the concept of waste, particularly textile waste, and its environmental implications. It also discusses the types of textile waste and the need for textile waste recovery. The study emphasizes the process of refashioning and highlights the stages of the product design and development process. The significance of the study lies in promoting the use of pre-consumer textile waste in children’s clothing, encouraging sustainable practices in the fashion industry, and reducing environmental pollution. The objectives include identifying potential sources of waste fabric, developing a new fabric material, designing and creating a collection of children’s wear, and evaluating the market acceptability. The limitations of the study are also acknowledged, including the focus on boutique waste and a specific region.

Keywords: textile industry, textile waste, pre-consumer waste, children’s wear, sustainability, recycling, upcycling, refashioning, product design and development.

INTRODUCTION

1. Textile and Apparel Industry in India

 The textile industry is a critical consumer goods industry, but it is also one of the most polluting industries. Waste is generated at every stage of textile production, including consumption. To address this problem, the textile industry has implemented measures to reduce its negative impact on the environment, including textile recycling and upcycling as a sustainability measure.

In India, the textile and clothing industry is the second-largest employer after agriculture and one of the largest producers of waste. However, human desires for fashion and technological advancements have resulted in an overflowing closet of garments, many of which are not being used. As a result, terms like upcycling, remade, reclaimed, and re-fashioned have emerged to promote sustainability. The disposal of textile waste, which often ends up in incinerators or landfills, is harming the environment, especially with the production of harmful gases.

Developed countries have become aware of the environmental degradation caused by our consumerist approach, and every manufacturing activity has come under scrutiny for sustainability, especially the textile industry. Recycling is essential because the clothing industry is the second-largest contributor to pollution. By processing textile waste and converting pre-consumer apparel waste into material or products for the development of kids wear, we can reduce the environmental impact of fashion products and contribute to the economic development of our community. The aim of this product development is to create kids wear with materials that decrease the environmental impact of fashion products and are loved by consumers, have a connection to them, and are designed to be kept and used for longer.

2. Waste 

The concept of waste is an important one in many fields, including environmental science, economics, and sustainability. Waste can be defined as any product or substance that is no longer useful or valuable to the person or organization that owns it, and which is, or will be, discarded. This can include a wide range of materials, from household trash to industrial waste.

The concept of waste is closely linked to the idea of consumption. As humans, we consume natural resources and produce waste as a byproduct. This waste can take many forms, including physical waste (such as discarded food or packaging), chemical waste (such as industrial pollutants or hazardous materials), and even waste in the form of energy (such as unused heat or electricity).

One of the major challenges associated with waste is the environmental impact. Many types of waste can be harmful to the environment, either directly or indirectly. For example, organic waste can contribute to the release of greenhouse gases, while hazardous waste can contaminate soil and water sources.

To address the problem of waste, many organizations and individuals are focusing on reducing waste through practices such as recycling, composting, and conservation. By minimizing waste, we can reduce the impact on the environment and promote sustainability for future generations.

3. Textile waste

 Textile waste refers to the material generated during the production and sale of clothing, which is no longer useful for its original purpose and is deemed unusable by the owner. It can come in the form of fabric and garment leftovers, or items that have reached the end of their life cycle and are destined for landfill or recycling.

Textile waste is a growing problem in today’s society due to the increasing production and consumption of clothing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US alone generates around 16 million tons of textile waste each year, with only 15% of that being recycled or donated. The rest ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose.

There are several sources of textile waste. Fashion and textile industry waste is created during the manufacturing process, when scraps of fabric and materials are left over from the production of clothing and accessories. Retailers also contribute to the problem by overstocking and discarding unsold or out-of-season items. Consumer waste is another significant source, as people discard clothing that they no longer want or need.

1. Types of Textile Waste

 Textile waste can be categorized into two main types: pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste. Pre-consumer waste, also known as factory waste or production waste, refers to materials discarded during the manufacturing process. This can include fabric scraps, cutting waste, and defective or rejected garments. Post-consumer waste, on the other hand, refers to clothing and textiles that are discarded by consumers after use.

2. Textile Waste Recovery 

Textile waste recovery refers to the process of diverting textile waste from landfills and finding alternative uses for it. This can involve recycling, upcycling, or repurposing the waste materials to create new products or materials. By recovering textile waste, we can reduce the demand for virgin resources, conserve energy, and minimize the environmental impact of the textile industry.

4. Refashioning 

Refashioning is a creative and sustainable approach to fashion design that involves transforming existing garments or textile waste into new, updated pieces. It focuses on reimagining and repurposing materials to extend their lifespan and reduce waste. Refashioning allows designers to experiment with different techniques, cuts, and styles, giving new life to discarded garments.

5. Product Design & Development from Waste 

Designing and developing products from waste materials requires a systematic approach that encompasses various stages. This includes identifying potential sources of waste fabric, assessing their quality and suitability for reuse, developing innovative fabric materials, designing and creating new products, and evaluating their market acceptability. By incorporating waste materials into the design and development process, we can create unique and sustainable products that contribute to a circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.

In conclusion, the textile and apparel industry’s impact on the environment necessitates sustainable approaches to minimize waste generation and promote responsible consumption. This research paper focuses on utilizing pre-consumer textile waste to design and develop children’s wear, emphasizing the concept of waste, the types of textile waste, the need for textile waste recovery, the process of refashioning, and the stages of the product design and development process. By embracing sustainable practices and promoting the use of textile waste in children’s clothing, we can contribute to a greener and more environmentally conscious fashion industry.

METHODOLOGY:

The methodology for the research paper involves the following steps:

Research Design:

The research design is developed to obtain first-hand information and integrate different components of the study in a systematic manner.

Research Process:

The research process consists of three phases: exploratory phase, development of fabric and garment phase, and evaluation phase.

Exploratory Phase:

• A survey is conducted in Mansarovar, Jaipur, to gather information from 50 boutiques through a self-structured questionnaire and interview schedule.
• Data collection is carried out through the survey process.

Development of Fabric and Garment Phase:

• Fabric waste is collected from 50 boutiques in Mansarovar, Jaipur.
• The collected fabric waste is segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials.
• Design of kids’ wear is developed using CAD software, with 10 designs created and selected through a 5-point rating.
• Fabric is developed from the waste materials using the patchwork technique.
• Four final designs are chosen for construction.
• Garments for children aged 3-5 are constructed using the developed fabric.

Evaluation Phase:

• The evaluation of sketches and designs is done through a 5-point ranking scale completed by 100 consumers (mothers).
• Market acceptability is checked.
• A pilot study is conducted, including fabric waste collection, sketch development, fabric development, creation of prototypes, assessment of acceptability by mothers, and data analysis.
• The methodology aims to reduce environmental pollution, save resources, and repurpose textile waste into children’s wear. It involves data collection, analysis, and evaluation to ensure the developed garments meet customer needs and preferences. The research is conducted in Mansarovar, Jaipur, focusing on boutiques in the area.

Result Analysis:

The research paper presents the results of three different surveys: a boutique survey, a consumer survey, and a survey on the acceptability of CAD designs for kids’ frocks. Here is a summary of the key findings from each survey:

Boutique Survey:

• 92% of respondents are familiar with the concept of recycling discarded fabrics.
• The types of discarded fabrics generated in the boutiques include small cutting pieces (36%), very small pieces (26%), decorative pieces (16%), and remaining fabric (12%).
• Preferred methods for disposing of discarded fabrics include upcycling into other items and clothing swaps (24% each), donating (16%), and disposing into trash (12%).
• Reasons for getting rid of discarded fabrics include the need for more space (26%), inconvenience (30%), and difficulty in recycling or upcycling (28%).
• 50% of respondents dispose of discarded fabrics in the trash once a week, while 26% do so once a month.
• 62% of respondents dispose of discarded fabrics into the trash because it saves time, and 34% do so because it saves labor.
• All types of fabrics are commonly discarded in boutiques (100%).
• 34.7% of respondents classify discarded fabrics before disposing of them, while 40.8% do not.
• 46% of respondents consider it very important to utilize discarded fabrics.
• Prototype  : According to sketched designs four product were constructed by own

GD 01 GD 02 GD 03 GD 10

PLATE  NO VIII –  – DEVELOPED FROCK DESIGNS 

Consumer Survey:

• 77.6% of respondents are willing to buy sustainable garments for their kids.
• Fabindia is the most well-known sustainable clothing brand (60% awareness).
• 54% of respondents are willing to spend a little more than usual on sustainable apparel for kids.
• The most common problems faced with existing apparel for kids include fit (50%), comfort (50%), durability (50%), quality (50%), and design varieties (50%).
• The majority of respondents spend between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 10,000 on kids’ clothes in 6 months.
• The most preferred style of dressing for kids is contemporary (32.7%), followed by eclectic (35.4%).
• Abstract prints are the most preferred for kids’ clothing (38%).
• The important criteria while purchasing kids’ clothing include price (50%), quality (50%), comfort (50%), patterns (59%), and colors (50%).

Acceptability of CAD Designs for Kids’ Frocks:

• The most preferred CAD designs for kids’ frocks include GD 01 (78.8%), GD 02 (60.6%), GD 03 (67.7%), GD 10 (62.6%), and GD 04 (14.1%).
• These are the main findings from the research paper, highlighting the preferences, opinions, and behaviors of both boutiques and consumers regarding discarded fabrics, sustainable clothing, and CAD designs for kids’ frocks.

Summary and Conclusion:

The textile industry is a significant contributor to pollution, generating waste at every stage of production and consumption. To address this issue, the concept of textile recycling and upcycling has emerged as a sustainable solution. In the context of India, which has a large textile and clothing industry and produces substantial waste, the need for sustainable practices is crucial. This research focused on developing children’s wear using waste fabric, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of fashion products and promoting economic development.

The study categorized textile waste into three main types: pre-consumer waste, post-consumer waste, and industrial/production waste. The objectives of the study were to identify potential sources of waste fabric in Jaipur, develop a new fabric material from the waste fabric, design and create a collection of children’s wear using the new fabric, and evaluate the market acceptability of the collection.

Waste fabric, known as chindi fabric, was collected from boutiques in Mansarovar, Jaipur. Sketches of kids’ frocks were developed based on current fashion trends and forecasts using CAD software. The collected fabric waste was sorted and transformed through patchwork techniques to create the fabric for the garments. The developed garments were constructed using sustainable materials and techniques, ensuring both practicality and fashion appeal.

To assess the market acceptability, a convenient sampling approach was used, and mothers of kids participated in a survey using a questionnaire. The survey evaluated various aspects of the developed kidswear, including design, quality, and pricing. The results indicated a positive attitude toward sustainable garment development using waste fabric for kidswear, with respondents appreciating the concept of recycled clothing.

The market survey provided valuable insights into customer preferences and expectations, allowing for improvements in future collections. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of upcycling waste fabric to create environmentally responsible and aesthetically pleasing children’s wear. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable textile practices and the need to reduce textile waste through innovative approaches.

Result Analysis: The research paper focuses on utilizing pre-consumer textile waste to design and develop children’s wear, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of fashion products.

The methodology involves three phases: exploratory phase, development of fabric and garment phase, and evaluation phase .