A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Fabrics with Different Fibers

This thesis presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of T-shirts made from different fiber types—cotton, synthetic materials, recycled wool (MWool®), and linen—focusing specifically on the environmental impacts of the use phase and contrasting them with the production phase. Utilizing OpenLCA software and datasets provided by Manteco®, the study models cradle-to-gate production impacts alongside the impacts of domestic washing, drying, and ironing practices over a functional period of 10 years. The system boundary includes yarn production, weaving, finishing, and standardized laundering modeled according to ISO 6330:2000 procedures. To reflect realistic consumer use, the analysis incorporates user behavior data from multiple countries and adapts the functional unit to a service life of 10 years, accounting for the variable durability of different fibers. The findings indicate that use-phase behaviors—especially washing frequency and temperature—play a critical role in the overall environmental footprint. Wool garments, for instance, due to their durability and reduced washing needs, exhibited the lowest per-wear environmental impact. In contrast, cotton garments, despite being biodegradable, incurred significant water and energy burdens due to frequent laundering. The thesis also examines the challenges of textile recycling and the low rates of circularity in the industry, with less than 1% of garments being recycled into new clothing. Moreover, it explores emerging sustainable practices such as the use of biodegradable fibers, upcycled garments, and innovations like CIRCULOSE® and MWool®. A review of EU regulations—including the CSRD, ESPR, and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles—highlights the increasing role of policy in driving sustainability in textile design, production, and labeling. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of extending garment lifespan, improving consumer laundering habits, and designing products for recyclability as key strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the textile sector. Recommendations are provided for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers aiming to advance sustainable fashion and align with EU climate targets.