Environment

Community News

March 26, 2010
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Community News

Eco-conscious artist transforms trashed PCBs into stunning sculptures via Ecofriend A roundup of some of the stories, headlines, and updates you may be interested in from in and around the community of socially responsible fashion design. Become a Fan on Facebook for other news, links and regular updates. Core77 Design and the public good CSR Asia Not for Sale: Exporting products from forced labour camps in China CSR and poverty alleviation CSR Europe ‘Degradable’ plastic not so environmentally fantastic, study reveals Shoppers go green ‘to impress neighbours not to save planet’, study finds UN report reveals financial cost of environmental...

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VOTE// Fashion Takes Action, Design Forward Award

March 25, 2010
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VOTE// Fashion Takes Action, Design Forward Award

Who’s your favourite responsible Canadian designer? Fashion Takes Action (FTA) has officially launched Canada’s 1st annual eco design award, Design Forward. I had the pleasure of working on this project, and I am so excited that Social Alterations could support this important initiative in Canada,  and I will explain the extent of our participation in an upcoming post, so stay tuned! Here are the nominees: Thieves Elladora   Elroy Paper People Clothing Laura Chenoweth Revolve Clothing Co. Nicole Bridger Salts Organic Preloved Lav & Kush deux fm Nixxi flora&fauna We3 (twigg&hottie) All the information you need has been made available...

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Call for Participants// Synthetic Aesthetics

March 25, 2010
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Call for Participants// Synthetic Aesthetics

Synthetic Aesthetic asks: How would you design nature? The project is a collaborative effort between artists/designers and scientists/engineers that strives “to bring creative practitioners and those who are expert at studying, analysing and designing the synthetic/natural interface together with the existing synthetic biology community to help with the work of designing, understanding and building the living world.” (Synthetic Aesthetic) Through the creation of “balanced exchanges” artists/designers will spend time in bioengineering labs, and scientists/engineers will spend their time in design studios, for 12 unique residencies. The application deadline is fast approaching (March 31st), but there is still time to...

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Green Week Conference 2010

March 24, 2010
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Green Week Conference 2010

“This year, the largest annual conference on European environment policy turns the spotlight on biodiversity. Over some 30 sessions, the conference will address the state of biodiversity and nature in Europe and the world, the benefits they bring, present-day pressures on them, and possible solutions to the current rates of loss. The path to be taken by EU policies on biodiversity and nature policies post-2010, the economic dimension of biodiversity, ecosystem services and Natura 2000 will also be investigated. These are some of the many questions Green Week 2010 will examine in three days of discussion and debate between...

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World Water Day: 2010

March 22, 2010
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World Water Day: 2010

March 22nd is World Water Day. Here are just a handful of stats out of the UN report World Water Day 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World, “Water quality facts and statistics”: Worldwide, infectious diseases such as waterborne diseases are the number one killer of children under five years old. More people die from unsafe water annually than from all forms of violence, including war. (WHO 2002) Unsafe water causes 4 billion cases of diarrhoea each year, and results in 2.2 million deaths, mostly of children under five. This means that 15% of child deaths each year are attributable to diarrhoea – a...

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Bring David Suzuki to Work

March 22, 2010
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Bring David Suzuki to Work

The David Suzuki Foundation has launched a FREE downloadable toolkit to help businesses and organizations tread a little more lightly on the planet.   “Work life isn’t just about punching a clock with a bunch of strangers. Smart employers know that their people are happiest and most productive when workplace culture matches their personal values. Companies who are in it for the long run know that reducing waste and increasing efficiency makes them more profitable and competitive.” (David Suzuki) Here’s the pitch: Does this sound like you? You care about the environment and want to see more done at...

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Organic Exchange/MADE-BY: ‘The Case for Sustainable Fashion’

March 21, 2010
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Organic Exchange/MADE-BY: ‘The Case for Sustainable Fashion’

“MADE-BY and Organic Exchange is delighted to invite you to a unique 2-day intensive seminar on sustainable fashion (clothing and textile) in Stockholm! This seminar is the perfect opportunity to assist textile and apparel professionals working in brands and retailers to come up to speed on changes and opportunities in the supply chain. Speakers and several important topics covered include: • Environmentally Friendly Fabrics – Understand the Definition, Sourcing and Production Issues, • A Discussion on Recycled Materials – Polyester and Nylon, • Responsible Processing – The Good The Bad & The Ugly of Dyeing and Finishing Industry, •...

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American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA): Green Summit

March 21, 2010
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American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA): Green Summit

“The seminar, to be held at the Chateau Frontenac Hotel, will include an overview of new life-cycle assessment research; information and tools designed to help market the benefits of reusable textiles; and information on how to enhance and measure the sustainability of a facility’s operations. The Green Summit is open to ARTA members and non-members and as well as education and networking opportunities, will also feature supplier exhibits. Announcing the event, ARTA president Steve Tinker said that to remain competitive, businesses would need to incorporate sustainable practices into operations and be able to verify those efforts. “Some might argue...

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Social Alterations// Slides

March 15, 2010
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Nadira and I both promised to make the slides from our presentations at the FEI conference available online, and here they are, along with a slideshow of some of the images we captured from the event. I’ve reposted the videos of the presentations for convenience. Thanks to everyone who offered feedback, we were so grateful for your considerations. Please, keep let’s keep the conversation going! Be sure to contact us with any questions! Social Alterations: An Education Lab for Socially Responsible Fashion Design View more presentations from socialalterations. Social Alterations @ FEI from Social Alterations on Vimeo. CSR Trends...

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Lunamano

March 15, 2010
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Carolina Gomez-Aubert is the Creative Director behind Lunamano : material rescue and re-design. Presenting both her company and academic research at the FEI conference earlier this month, Carolina passionately described the desperate situation of the women she works with in El Salvador: one woman had been turned away from working at the Maquila for getting pregnant; another was left without income when her husband, away at work in America, suddenly stopped sending money when he found someone else. Lunamano offers these women an opportunity for empowerment and the chance at financial security through socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sensitive,...

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