Glossary of Terms

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Sustainability 101

Glossary of Terms The acronyms and technical terms that surround sustainability.

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@ukft.org UK Fashion and Textile Association

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X YZ

A Artificial Intelligence The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making and translation between languages

Augmented reality The use of computer-generated artefacts to modify the visusal experience of the real-world environment to enhance or change the user's percetion of reality.

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Biodegradable Material capable of being decomposed naturally by bacteria when discarded as waste.

Biodiversity The variety of life on earth. It comprises variability within species, among species, and of ecosystems. It also refers to the complex relationships among living things, and between living things and their environment.

Blockchain A digital database technology that typically functions as a distributed ledger of transactions. A 'block' represents new information that has been input into the system and once this 'block' is complete, it becomes part of a 'chain' of other blocks, which are in chronological order.

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Glossary of Terms

Carbon neutrality Balancing the level of carbon emissions with the equal level of carbon removal through the shift to new energy sources, changes in industry processes, circular business models and carbon offsetting.

Carbon Offsetting Carbon offsetting happens when a company, or even an individual, invests in one or more environmental projects to balance out their greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral. This could mean using regeneration processes, like donating a portion of sales to plant trees, or even investing in carbon neutral shipping. But carbon offsetting is not that simple, and sadly is not a miracle solution to climate change.

Chemical recycling A recycling process in which collected waste textile material is chemically treated using solvents or enzymes to produce new filaments, typically either cellulosic or synthetic fibres. Recovered synthetic fibres are converted to pellets suitable for being reused in the yarn manufacturing process. Recovered cellulosic fibres are dissolved into a pulp that can be used in the production of viscose-like materials.

Circular Design The overarching focus is to preserve the value of a safe to use product or service for as long as possible by designing for upgradeability/modularity, repair/refurbishment, and reuse.

Circularity An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources; minimising resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions.

Closed Loop recycling A recycling system in which all the waste materials collected are converted into new materials that are of the same quality as the original input and can be reused in the same applications.

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Glossary of Terms

Digital Twin A virtual replica of an item that exists in the physical world.

Digitalisation The implementation of digital technologies and data into previously analog processes.

E Ecosystem A network of interconnected stakeholders operating within a 'space'.

Environmental Social & Governance A report with a set of standards measuring a business's impact on society, the environment and how transparent and accountable it is.

Extended Producer Responsibility A policy approach under which producers are given significant responsibility financial and or physical - for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.

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