INDEX

Natural dyes: Dyes derived from plants, minerals, or other natural sources, used to color textiles and often preferred for their low environmental impact and biodegradability compared to synthetic dyes.

Natural fibers: Fibers directly derived from living organisms such as plants or animals, often valued for their biodegradability and renewable nature.

Non-governmental organization (NGO): A non-profit organization that operates independently of government control and is typically dedicated to addressing social, environmental, or humanitarian issues, often playing a crucial role in advocacy, research, and community development.

Non-renewable resources: Natural resources that are finite and cannot be replaced or regenerated within a human timeframe, such as fossil fuels and minerals, highlighting the importance of sustainable resource management and alternative energy sources.

Nylon: A synthetic polyamide manufactured from non-renewable resources such as petroleum and carbon-based fossil fuels, commonly used in textile production but posing environmental challenges due to its reliance on finite resources and non-biodegradable nature.

OEKO-TEX: A partnership of 18 separate research and testing institutions in Europe and Japan specializing in textiles. They offer a base certification called STANDARD 100, which certifies strict chemical compliance standards and ensures that all final product components are completely free from substances harmful to humans.

Organic: Relating to or derived from nature and living matter, often used to describe agricultural practices and materials produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), promoting environmental sustainability and health.

Offsetting: Compensating for carbon emissions or environmental impacts by investing in projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions or promote environmental conservation elsewhere, often used to achieve carbon neutrality or mitigate environmental footprints.

Organic certification: A certification process verifying that agricultural products, textiles, or other materials meet organic production standards, typically including criteria related to soil health, pest management, and synthetic input usage.

Overproduction: The production of goods or materials in excess of demand, leading to waste, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.

Pantone Referencing: A standardised color matching system, utilizing the Pantone numbering system for identifying colors.

PEFC: The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification

PFP: Prepared for Print.

Pigment Print: A digital textile printing method which allows only the surface of the fabric to be colored rather than ink seeping into the fibers of the fabric.

Plain Weave: When this is weaved each warp yard is lifted over alternate weft yarns. Neighboring warp yearns lift in the opposite sense to make an even and uniform weave.

Plastics: Synthetic materials made from a wide range of polymers, that can be molded into shape while soft, and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form.

Polyamide: (PI) A group of fabrics which are made from strings of polyamide monomers (a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer) eg. Nylon.

Polyester: (PES) A synthetic fiber which is made by mixing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

Pollution prevention: Practices and strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating the release of pollutants and contaminants into the environment, promoting cleaner production processes and environmental conservation.

Product lifecycle: The stages through which a product passes from raw material extraction and manufacturing to use, disposal, and potentially recycling or reuse, providing insights into its environmental impacts and sustainability considerations.

Product stewardship: The responsible management of products throughout their lifecycle, including design, production, use, and disposal, with a focus on minimizing environmental and social impacts and promoting resource efficiency and circularity.

Public procurement: The process by which governments and public sector organizations purchase goods, services, or works, with increasing attention to sustainability criteria such as environmental performance, social responsibility, and ethical sourcing.

Quality control: The process of ensuring that products meet specified quality standards through inspection, testing, and evaluation, contributing to customer satisfaction, safety, and compliance.

Quotas: Limits or restrictions imposed on the quantity of goods that can be imported or exported, often used to manage trade relationships and protect domestic industries, with implications for supply chain transparency and fair trade practices.

Quaternary recycling: The highest level of recycling, involving the breakdown of materials into their basic components or molecules for reuse in the production of new products, promoting resource efficiency and circularity.

Raw Material: The original material from which a product is made.

Recyclability: A material's capability or potential for recycling.

Recycled: Something that was waste materials which has been converted into new materials.

Reduce: Minimizing the consumption of resources and generation of waste by using less or opting for more sustainable alternatives.

Regenerated Cellulosic Fibre: A man-made fiber produced from plant material by chemical treatment which changes the physical form.

Renewable energy: Energy derived from naturally replenishing sources such as sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat.

Renewable Resources: Natural resources that are replenished naturally and sustainably over time.

Repair: The act of fixing or restoring products to extend their lifespan and reduce waste.

Repurposing: Giving a new purpose or function to materials, products, or ble resources:resources that would otherwise be discarded or considered waste.

Rescued Range: Deadstock fabric which has been recovered and brought back to the market.

Resilience: The ability of systems, communities, or organizations to withstand and recover from environmental, social, or economic challenges.

Responsible manufacturing: The practice of producing goods in a manner that minimizes negative environmental and social impacts.

Responsible sourcing: The practice of procuring materials, products, or services from suppliers and producers who adhere to ethical, social, and environmental standards.

Resource conservation: The efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.

Reverse logistics: The process of managing the return, disposal, or recycling of products, materials, or components after they have been used by consumers.

Reuse: Extending the life of products or materials by using them again for the same or a different purpose.

rPET: Recycled Polyester

Satin Weave: When weaved, the warp floats over four or more wefts and remains under only one. Adjacent warps have their floats arranged as randomly as possible to ensure that no twill line is created.

SEDEX: An ethical trade membership organization focusing on improving working conditions in global supply chains. Esce-tex’s SEDEX number is ZC413971485. Link: Sedex

Silk: A natural, fine, and strong protein fiber produced from silkworms' cocoons which can be collected to make filament.

Slow Fashion: The designing, creating, and buying garments for quality and longevity, encouraging the use of slower production, fair wages, lower carbon footprints, and less wastage.

Social Compliance: A continuing process in which organizations endeavor to protect the health, safety, and rights of their employees and wider communities.

Soil health: The condition of soil in terms of its physical, chemical, and biological properties, crucial for supporting plant growth, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning.

Stakeholder engagement: Involving individuals, groups, or organizations who have a vested interest or stake in a company or project in decision-making processes, fostering transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

Standards and certifications: Established criteria, guidelines, or benchmarks used to assess and verify the sustainability performance of products, processes, or organizations, providing assurance to consumers and stakeholders.

Supply Chain: The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a good or service.

Sustainability: Meeting the needs of today without compromising future generations, alongside a commitment to the preservation of natural resources and maintaining ecological balance in our practices.

Sustainable agriculture: Farming practices that aim to optimize productivity while minimizing environmental impact, promoting soil health, biodiversity, and resource efficiency.

Sustainable consumption: The responsible and ethical use of resources, goods, and services to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable Development: Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.

Sustainable sourcing: Procuring materials, products, or services from suppliers and producers who adhere to environmental, social, and ethical standards, supporting fair labor practices, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

Systems thinking: A holistic approach to problem-solving and decision-making that considers the interconnectedness and interdependence of various elements within a system, recognizing the broader impacts and implications of actions.

Synthetic Fibers: Man-made textile fibers which are made of polymers that do not occur naturally. They are produced entirely in a laboratory, these include those made from combinations of natural fibers as well as synthetic fibers.

TENCEL™: Lenzing's Trademark to their branded lyocell fibre, it is a soft-to-the-touch fabric with exceptional capacity for thermal regulation and moisture absorption, produced by environmentally responsible processes from the sustainably sourced natural raw material wood.

TENCEL™ LUXE: Lenzing's Trademark to their branded lyocell filament it is a soft-to-the-touch fabric with exceptional capacity for thermal regulation and moisture absorption, produced by environmentally responsible processes from the sustainably sourced natural raw material wood.

Textile Exchange: A global nonprofit that encourages the use of sustainable fiber and materials. The organization manages and promotes six leading industry standards, as well as collects and publishes critical industry data and insights that enable brands and retailers to measure, manage, and track their use of preferred fibers and materials.

Thermal Regulating: A fabric's ability to adapt to body heat. A highly thermal-regulating fabric would, in humid conditions when the body is sweating, cause the yarn to contract, allowing heat from the body to pass through. When it's cool and dry, the yarn expands, trapping in the body heat.

Tier 1 Suppliers: These are partners that you directly conduct business with, including contracted manufacturing facilities or production partners. For example, if you're a company selling apparel, the factory that assembles your cotton t-shirts is a Tier 1 supplier.

Tier 2 Suppliers: Tier 2 suppliers are the sources where your Tier 1 suppliers get their materials. Continuing with the apparel company example, if the t-shirt factory receives its materials from a fabric mill, that mill is considered a Tier 2 supplier to the apparel company.

Tier 3 Suppliers: These suppliers or partners are one step further removed from the final product and typically work with raw materials. Using the apparel company example once again, the Tier 3 supplier here would be the farm that sells cotton to the fabric mill.

Traceability: The ability to find and track the origins and course of development of a good or service.

Transparent Supply Chain: A publicly communicated supply chain where every stage is demonstrated with full public disclosure, including finite detailing.

Twill Weave: A type of textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel lines.

UN17SDG: Goals set by the United Nations with the aim of achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. They address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.

Upcycling: The reuse of wasted objects or materials in such a way which creates a product of higher quality or value than the original.

Vegan: Refers to products or practices that avoid the use of animal products. In the context of textiles, vegan materials would exclude any components derived from animals, such as leather, wool, or silk.

Virgin Materials: Any undeveloped resource that is or could become a source of raw materials. In the textile industry, virgin materials often refer to newly produced fibers or materials that have not been previously used or recycled.

Voluntary Standards: These are standards or guidelines established by organisations or industries voluntarily, often to address specific issues such as sustainability, safety, or quality. In the textile industry, voluntary standards may include certifications like Fair Trade or organic labeling, which indicate adherence to certain criteria beyond legal requirements.

Waste Management: The process of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling, and disposing of waste materials. In the textile industry, waste management strategies are essential for minimizing the environmental impact of production processes and reducing landfill waste.

Water Footprint: The total volume of water used to produce goods or services, including water consumption and pollution. In the textile industry, water footprinting helps assess the environmental impact of textile production processes and identify opportunities for water conservation and efficiency.

Waterless Dyeing: Dyeing processes that minimize or eliminate the use of water, often through innovative techniques such as digital printing or dry dyeing methods. Waterless dyeing reduces water consumption, pollution, and energy use, making it a more sustainable alternative in textile manufacturing.

Worker Welfare: Refers to the well-being, health, safety, and rights of workers involved in the textile supply chain. Ensuring worker welfare is essential for ethical and sustainable textile production practices, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to social protections.

XRF Testing: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. In the textile industry, XRF testing may be employed to analyze the composition of fibers, dyes, or finishes used in textile products, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and quality control.

Yarn: An assembly of interlocked fibers or filaments with long continuous length and relatively small cross-section that can be used to make textiles.

Yarn Count: A numerical expression that indicates the fineness or thickness of a yarn. Yarn count is typically measured in units such as "denier" (for filament yarns) or "Tex" (for staple yarns), and it helps determine the yarn's weight and diameter, influencing the properties of the resulting fabric.

Yield: In the textile industry, yield refers to the amount of fabric or textile product that can be produced from a given quantity of raw materials, typically expressed in terms of area (e.g., square meters or square yards). Maximizing yield is important for efficient production and minimizing waste.

Yield Loss: Refers to the reduction in fabric yield during the manufacturing process due to factors such as shrinkage, defects, or trimming. Yield loss can impact production efficiency and profitability, making it important to identify and minimize sources of waste.

Zero Discharge: Zero discharge refers to an environmental goal aimed at eliminating the release of hazardous chemicals, pollutants, or waste materials into water bodies or the environment during textile manufacturing processes. This approach focuses on implementing technologies and practices to minimize or treat wastewater and emissions, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainability in textile production.

Zero Waste Design: A method of pattern cutting which uses the entire width of fabric resulting in no wastage.