From Cradle to Grave: Apparel Product Life Cylce
Author(s)
Abstract
In this project we studied the entire life cycle of apparel from the manufacturing process, purchasing, consumer care and discarding phase of the product. We studied how these phases can cause negative effects on the environment by increasing the carbon footprint and by adding waste to landfills. We discovered that the overproduction of apparel is a leading cause in our growth of landfills and climate change. We studied how consumers of all ages and brands can make a difference in being sustainable in their production and care habits. We studied this topic by researching how much consumers are affecting the environment by washing clothes too often and by throwing them away. Studies showed as the years go on, fast fashion companies are over producing apparel in the quickest way possible leading to a larger carbon footprint and waste. We collected opinions from consumer and industry professionals’ comments on social media about sustainability and fast fashion. Then, we conducted a survey asking consumers of their purchasing and discarding habits and thoughts on sustainability. After doing background research and conducting our own studies, we found out that most clothing donated is thrown in landfills, but there are brands who are encouraging consigning and renting apparel. Half of the consumers who participated in our survey were knowledgeable about sustainability and were supportive of thrifting their unworn clothing and purchasing used clothing as well. Outside research showed that many people stray away from sustainably made apparel because of the higher price for basic styles.
Format
Conference Proceeding
Contributor(s)
Faculty Mentor
Buhyung Cho
Modified Abstract

In this project we studied the entire life cycle of an article of clothing from the manufacturing process, point of sale, consumer care of the product and the discarding phase of the product. We studied how consumers care and discard of their clothing can cause negative effects on the environment by increasing the carbon footprint and by adding waste to our landfills. We took it into our own hands on figuring out how consumers all ages purchase, care for and discard of their clothing. We also received feedback of those consumers’ knowledge and opinions about sustainably made clothing and topic of sustainability. We determined that many people stray away from sustainably made apparel because of the higher price tag for basic style clothing.
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/ugresearch/2020/fashion-merchandising/cradle-grave-apparel-product-life-cylce
Caratelli, M., & Rappach, N. (n.d.). From Cradle to Grave: Apparel Product Life Cylce (1–). https://oaks.kent.edu/node/10260
Caratelli, Monica, and Natalie Rappach. n.d. “From Cradle to Grave: Apparel Product Life Cylce”. https://oaks.kent.edu/node/10260.
Caratelli, Monica, and Natalie Rappach. From Cradle to Grave: Apparel Product Life Cylce. https://oaks.kent.edu/node/10260.