Term

Definition

Bioaccumulation

Accumulation of textile chemicals in living organisms over time.

Biodiversity impact

Effect of fashion production on species diversity and ecosystems.

Biomagnification

Increasing concentration of textile toxins up the food chain.

Dematerialization

The process of reducing the amount of materials and energy used to produce goods and services. It's a key concept in industrial ecology and can help to improve resource productivity and reduce environmental impact. e.g. designing garments that are more durable, promoting clothing rental services, encouraging clothing swaps, and prioritizing recycling and upcycling to extend the lifespan of garments, ultimately reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry by using less material per garment produced.

Eco-Industrial Park

A community of manufacturing and service businesses located together on a common property where businesses cooperate with each other and with the local community to efficiently share resources. This concept could inspire fashion districts where brands collaborate to minimize waste and maximize resource use.

Eco-toxicology

Study of fashion industry pollutants' effects on ecosystems.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A process for evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a new project or product, helping to identify ways to mitigate negative effects on the environment.

Environmental load

Total ecological burden of fashion production processes.

Eutrophication potential

Risk of water pollution from excess nutrients in textile waste.

Habitat fragmentation

Ecosystem disruption from fashion industry activities.

Industrial Metabolism

The ability of technological advancement to do "more and more with less and less until eventually, you can do everything with nothing." This could inspire minimalist and efficient fashion designs.

Industrial Metabolism

This refers to the flow of materials and energy through industrial systems, similar to how nutrients cycle through a biological organism.

Material Substitution

Replacing a material with another that has a lower environmental impact. In fashion, this could mean using sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester instead of conventional materials.

Microfiber shedding

The release of tiny plastic fibres from synthetic garments during washing, polluting water systems. 

Nonpoint source pollution

Widespread environmental contamination from textile production.

Polymer degradation

Breakdown of synthetic fibers in the environment.

Production ecology

Study of ecosystem impacts from fashion manufacturing.

Textile ecology

Study of environmental interactions in textile lifecycle.

Toxicity assessment

Evaluating harmful effects of textile chemicals.

Watershed impact

Effects of textile production on local water systems.