TED Manifesto

Today I was introduced to TED- Textiles Environment Design. TED is a scheme that has been developing on a set of practice- based sustainable design strategies that allow designers to create textiles that have a reduced impact on the environment. Since 1996, TED has been refining these 10 design strategies and coming up with new ideas that will help designers in to be sustainable in their textile based practice.

Whilst I was researching TED and sustainable textiles I came across some facts which I found very interesting. I picked a few of them for you to read...

“Of the total textile fibre produced, up to 65% is lost, post-consumer, to landfill, incineration or composting, which represents between 400,000 and 700,000 tonnes per annum in the UK. Of this, at least 50% is said to be recyclable” (Allwood, 2006)

“ 60% of the total energy consumption in the lifecycle of a t-shirt occurs in the use phase. i.e washing, ironing, drying ” (Allwood et al, 2006)

“For making a $100 pair of trainers, the factory worker will receive just 50 cents” (www.cleanclothes.org)

Here is TED's 10 design strategies to encourage designers to work more sustainably, known as TED's Ten:

1. Design to minimise waste.
2. Design for recycling/upcycling.
3. Design to reduce chemical impacts.
4. Design to reduce energy and water use.
5. Design that explores cleaner/better technologies.
6. Design that looks and models from history and nature.
7. Design for Ethical production.
8. Design to replace the need to consume.
9. Design to dematerialise and develop systems and services.
10. Design activism.

So with these in mind, how could I be more sustainable in my work? I started to think about the way I work, and what I could do to decrease the amount of waste I produce, being more sustainable and helping the environment. One thing that comes straight into my mind is how much paper I use whilst I'm working at University. Rough sketches, drawing, photocopying, printing off information and so on. Of course some of this has to be done, however I think a lot more could be done online. I feel that blogs are a perfect example, a way of recording progress and ideas without having to waste paper.

I think recycle and re use of materials is very important- which comes under number 1- Design to Minimise Waste. Whilst I'm working in my textile based practice, I have always thought about the materials and supplies I have collected in the past, and if any of them match the description of what I need for a new project. I also find myself building up bag full of material in case they ever become useful- no point throwing them away if you have the space to keep them...although there is a point to how much you can keep. So spend some time to sort through them every now and again. You can always find little places where they recycle material, or ask friends to see if they need them etc.

Re-working existing garments to produce up-cycled products and designing multi-functional products are another two sustainable ideas which more textile designers should consider. If designers start to become more aware of the ten strategies and apply them within their work, then sustainable designing could really start to increase, preserving our environment. I will definitely start to consider being more sustainble within my work.