1.7 Break it down

1 Look at the picture. How long do you think the plastic has been there?

✓ Collaboration ✓ Communication ✓ Analysis

How long does it take clothes to decompose in landfi ll?

2 Read and respond.

a List the items in order of how long they take to decompose, from fastest to slowest. b What do you notice about the time different materials take to decompose?

3 Read and respond.

Viscose T-shirt 4–6 weeks Wool jumper 4–5 years Leather bag 50 years

Cotton socks 1 week–5 months Polyester dress 200+ years Denim jacket 10–12 months N Nylon tights 30–40 years

Silk shirt 1–3 years Most people love new clothes and want to be fashionable. People who make and sell clothes know this. They are always making new clothes for us to buy. They work quickly to follow new fashions and that’s why we call it ‘fast fashion’. Sadly, it means these clothes soon end up lying in textile waste piles. Fast fashion affects both the clothing industry and the environment, but not in a good way. Let’s take a look behind the wardrobe door at some facts that might surprise you. Can they persuade you to change your habits? Fast Fashion Facts Globally we buy 80 billion new items of clothing every year. The average person throws away 27 kg of clothes every year. Some have never been worn. Global clothing production has more than doubled since 2000. Sample Pages a Write answers to the questions. • How many new clothes do we buy globally every year? • What has happened to global clothing production since 2000? b Explain fast fashion and the problems it causes.

4 Design an upcycled item. Plan and design some clothes combining different items. Use the worksheet and the example below to help you.

Reuse lace to close trousers

5 to Present your upcycled item the class. Checklist

a First, use the checklist ✓ Is the information well-organised? to make sure your presentation ✓ Is the information presented clearly? is ready. ✓ Is the clothing a sustainable product? b Give your presentation. ✓ Is there evidence of research? ✓ Has everyone in the team contributed?

Top of cotton shorts Patches of the tie dye add fun and colour Sleeves of polycotton shirt for trouser legs Sample Pages

Talking point

What skills in this task do you think you need more practice in?