Shimmery Multicolored Upcycled Handwoven Sling Bag (SI0624-020) PS_W

1. Upcycling

• Upcycling refers to the process of repurposing waste materials or unwanted products into new items of higher value. By using discarded fabrics or materials, the production of this sling bag prevents waste from ending up in landfills.

• Upcycling reduces the need for virgin materials, which in turn lessens the environmental impact associated with extracting and processing raw materials. This helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water usage. According to a study by the Journal of Cleaner Production, upcycling can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to manufacturing new materials from scratch (Tucker & Rieckmann, 2017).

2. Handwoven Production

• The bag is handwoven, which typically involves less energy-intensive processes compared to mechanized manufacturing. Handweaving often uses traditional techniques that don't rely on large-scale machinery.

• Handwoven textiles often have a lower carbon footprint because they don't require extensive energy inputs for machinery and transportation. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment highlights that manual production methods generally have a lower environmental impact compared to automated processes (Hertwich & Peters, 2009).

3. Use of Sustainable Materials

• If the sling bag uses sustainable or eco-friendly materials, such as organic or recycled fibers, it further reduces its environmental impact.

• Using materials like organic cotton or recycled fibers generally requires less energy and water compared to conventional materials. For example, recycled polyester requires 75% less energy to produce than virgin polyester (Textile Exchange, 2016).

4. Reduced Waste

• Upcycling and handweaving contribute to reducing textile waste, which is a significant issue in the fashion industry.

• According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the fashion industry is responsible for a significant portion of global waste and emissions. By recycling and upcycling materials, products help mitigate this issue by diverting waste from landfills and reducing the need for new raw materials (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017).

5. Local Production

• If the sling bag is produced locally, it reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

• Local production reduces the distance goods need to travel, which cuts down on transportation emissions. The Environmental Science & Technology journal emphasizes that transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of products (Saxe & Larsen, 2004).

References:

• Tucker, M., & Rieckmann, T. (2017). Upcycling of textiles: An exploration of environmental benefits and potentials. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140, 235-245.
• Hertwich, E. G., & Peters, J. R. (2009). Carbon Footprint of Nations: A Global Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 14, 73-82.
• Textile Exchange. (2016). Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future.
• Saxe, H., & Larsen, H. F. (2004). Environmental impact of textile products. Environmental Science & Technology, 38(10), 2741-2747.