The Experts below are selected from a list of 246 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Giuseppe Ioppolo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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social life cycle assessment in the Textile sector an italian case study
Sustainability, 2017Co-Authors: Paola Lenzo, Marzia Traverso, Roberta Salomone, Giuseppe IoppoloAbstract:This study presents the first application of the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) to a Textile Product made in Sicily (Italy), according to the Social Life Cycle Assessment guidelines (UNEP). The main goal is to assess and present the social values of a Product manufactured in a particular territorial area where the presence of an industry represents the main source of employment. The first part of the study is a literature review of the current state of the art of the S-LCA and its implementation to Textile Products. In the implementation, particular attention is paid in identifying the positive impacts and in highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the method when applied in this specific sector. The functional unit of the study is an order for a garment (consisting of 495 capes in a soft blend of wool and cashmere), produced by a Textile company located in Sicily (Italy). The system boundaries of the study include all phases from cradle-to-gate, i.e. from raw material Production through fabric/accessory Production to the manufacturing process of the Product itself at the company. Background and foreground processes are taken into account using specific and generic data. Two stakeholder groups have been considered (workers and local communities) as those that can better represent the company’s value in the territory. The analysis carried out on the functional unit of the study allowed assessing social performance related to the specific Textile Product, but also to outline the general behaviour of the company. Results offer to scholars a perspective on which to focus their future researches in the sector and highlight that S-LCA is a valuable tool to support business decisions, assessing the social impact of the Product to improve the social conditions of stakeholders. However, the access to primary and/or good quality local, national and global data is essential to draw credible conclusions; consequently, every effort to promote the application for S-LCA is highly suggested.
Blanca Corona - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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using social life cycle assessment to analyze the contribution of Products to the sustainable development goals a case study in the Textile sector
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2020Co-Authors: Ana Maria Herrera Almanza, Blanca CoronaAbstract:Evaluation and monitoring systems are perceived as an effective tool to understand and improve the contribution of business activities to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is currently a lack of guidance and support on assessing the influence that the life cycle of Products and services has on the SDGs. This article presents a case study where Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is applied to understand the social performance of a Textile Product and its potential contribution to the SDGs. In this study, the link between the S-LCA methodology and the SDG framework was made at the indicator level, through a new classification of S-LCA indicators. This classification was aimed at indicating the positive or negative contribution of Products or services into the SDGs. The method was tested with the case study of a man’s shirt whose supply chain takes place across five countries, from the cotton farming in China to the retailing in The Netherlands. The social performance of the shirt’s life cycle was analyzed through a social hotspot assessment (using PSILCA database) and a site-specific assessment following the UNEP/SETAC S-LCA guidelines. Primary data was collected for 6 different suppliers regarding 51 social indicators and four stakeholder categories (workers, local communities, value chain actors, and society). The social hotspot assessment indicated high social risks on indicators related to the following SDGs: health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, decent work, and responsible Production and consumption. These risks were mainly located in Bangladesh (shirt manufacturing) and Malaysia (fabric manufacturing). The site-specific assessment indicated different results than the social risk assessment, showing worse social performance in the spinning stage (located in China). Negative scores were obtained for every supplier in at least four indicators, including working hours, safe and healthy living conditions, and access to immaterial resources. The results indicated negative social performance of the supply chain in most of the SDGs and identified points of improvement for the final retailer. The linkage of the S-LCA framework with the SDGs presented methodological challenges, mainly related to the different scope of the SDG indicators and the S-LCA indicators.
Paola Lenzo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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social life cycle assessment in the Textile sector an italian case study
Sustainability, 2017Co-Authors: Paola Lenzo, Marzia Traverso, Roberta Salomone, Giuseppe IoppoloAbstract:This study presents the first application of the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) to a Textile Product made in Sicily (Italy), according to the Social Life Cycle Assessment guidelines (UNEP). The main goal is to assess and present the social values of a Product manufactured in a particular territorial area where the presence of an industry represents the main source of employment. The first part of the study is a literature review of the current state of the art of the S-LCA and its implementation to Textile Products. In the implementation, particular attention is paid in identifying the positive impacts and in highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the method when applied in this specific sector. The functional unit of the study is an order for a garment (consisting of 495 capes in a soft blend of wool and cashmere), produced by a Textile company located in Sicily (Italy). The system boundaries of the study include all phases from cradle-to-gate, i.e. from raw material Production through fabric/accessory Production to the manufacturing process of the Product itself at the company. Background and foreground processes are taken into account using specific and generic data. Two stakeholder groups have been considered (workers and local communities) as those that can better represent the company’s value in the territory. The analysis carried out on the functional unit of the study allowed assessing social performance related to the specific Textile Product, but also to outline the general behaviour of the company. Results offer to scholars a perspective on which to focus their future researches in the sector and highlight that S-LCA is a valuable tool to support business decisions, assessing the social impact of the Product to improve the social conditions of stakeholders. However, the access to primary and/or good quality local, national and global data is essential to draw credible conclusions; consequently, every effort to promote the application for S-LCA is highly suggested.
Andreas R. Köhler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Life cycle assessment and eco-design of smart Textiles: The importance of material selection demonstrated through e-Textile Product redesign
Materials & Design, 2015Co-Authors: Natascha M. Van Der Velden, Kristi Kuusk, Andreas R. KöhlerAbstract:Smart Textiles have progressed well beyond the laboratory stage. A growing community of smart Textile designers utilises engineered materials and advanced manufacturing technologies to create marketable Products. To implement an environmentally conscious way of Product innovation, the environmental impact of such Products needs to be taken into account already at the early design-stages. A life-cycle perspective on the consequences of design choices can guide the implementation of eco-design measures. However, not much literature is available thus far to empower designers in making sustainable design decisions. To meet this need, this article presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a wearable smart Textile device for ambulant medical therapy. The case study focuses on material selection, since this aspect is one of the most relevant choices at the prototyping stage. The eco-cost approach was used to compare the LCA-results of the original prototype design against various eco-redesign options. The results suggest several priority areas for environmental improvement. One possibility is the replacement of silver based conductive yarns by copper based alternatives. Another finding suggests the use of acryl instead of wool. The case study results are the starting point for further discussion on the role of designers with respect to responsible eco-design.
Ana Maria Herrera Almanza - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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using social life cycle assessment to analyze the contribution of Products to the sustainable development goals a case study in the Textile sector
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2020Co-Authors: Ana Maria Herrera Almanza, Blanca CoronaAbstract:Evaluation and monitoring systems are perceived as an effective tool to understand and improve the contribution of business activities to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is currently a lack of guidance and support on assessing the influence that the life cycle of Products and services has on the SDGs. This article presents a case study where Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is applied to understand the social performance of a Textile Product and its potential contribution to the SDGs. In this study, the link between the S-LCA methodology and the SDG framework was made at the indicator level, through a new classification of S-LCA indicators. This classification was aimed at indicating the positive or negative contribution of Products or services into the SDGs. The method was tested with the case study of a man’s shirt whose supply chain takes place across five countries, from the cotton farming in China to the retailing in The Netherlands. The social performance of the shirt’s life cycle was analyzed through a social hotspot assessment (using PSILCA database) and a site-specific assessment following the UNEP/SETAC S-LCA guidelines. Primary data was collected for 6 different suppliers regarding 51 social indicators and four stakeholder categories (workers, local communities, value chain actors, and society). The social hotspot assessment indicated high social risks on indicators related to the following SDGs: health and well-being, affordable and clean energy, decent work, and responsible Production and consumption. These risks were mainly located in Bangladesh (shirt manufacturing) and Malaysia (fabric manufacturing). The site-specific assessment indicated different results than the social risk assessment, showing worse social performance in the spinning stage (located in China). Negative scores were obtained for every supplier in at least four indicators, including working hours, safe and healthy living conditions, and access to immaterial resources. The results indicated negative social performance of the supply chain in most of the SDGs and identified points of improvement for the final retailer. The linkage of the S-LCA framework with the SDGs presented methodological challenges, mainly related to the different scope of the SDG indicators and the S-LCA indicators.