Nachwachsend = nachhaltig? Eine Analyse am Beispiel pflanzlicher Textilfärbung Nachwachsend = nachhaltig? Eine Analyse am Beispiel pflanzlicher Textilfärbung

Abstract

In general, the utilisation of renewable resources is regarded as a contribution to sustainable development due to its reduction of environmental burdens and its support of regional development. In this paper we argue that a true contribution to sustainable development can be achieved only by considering the following additional sustainability criteria during product development: service and user orientation, efficiency, recyclability, flexibility and adaptability, fault-tolerance and risk prevention, employment, income and quality of life. From the discussion of these criteria, three key factors are derived: 1. development of quality products; 2. efficient resource use and reduction of environmental loadings; 3. and, economic competitiveness. The article then offers an example of good practice in product development, in which a competitive natural dyeing process was developed that fulfilled the quality requirements of the industy and of consumers, while simultaneously reducing environmental loadings. Finally, there is a presentation of widely applicable sustainability criteria that can be applied in the course of developing products based on renewable resources.