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Research output: Thesis › Master's Thesis
Research output: Thesis › Master's Thesis
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TY - THES
T1 - Homegrown/Homespun; Scaling Up a Low-Carbon Textile System in Lancashire
AU - Pribyl, Helena
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - With growing interest in ethically- and environmentally-sound fashion systems,regional economic resilience, and community climate action, this research aimed to investigate the feasibility to upscale a localised and low-carbon textile system. Using a case study approach of the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ textile initiative in Blackburn, East Lancashire, the thesis highlights the opportunities and tensions involved in upscale, focusing on a proposed flax and natural indigo supply chain.Guided by the triple bottom line (TBL) framework for sustainability (Elkington,1998), a mixed-methods approach drew conclusions from primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data. Contributing to a growing interdisciplinary field of research, the thesis is situated between the fields of environmental research, sustainable supply chain management, transitions research, and environmental psychology.The research findings recommend a gradual re-localisation, recognising theshort-term trade-offs between elements of sustainability within a long-term vision towards a UK-based sustainable textiles industry. Collaborative endeavours across the industry are suggested to support economic feasibility, considering the current economic and infrastructural challenges. The carbon life cycle assessment (LCA) proposes flax-based denim to be a low-carbon fibre alternative, potentially with less than half the associated carbon impact of a cotton pair of jeans.A participatory action approach supported holistic and community-centricresearch into social sustainability within TBL. Findings from a small sample imply the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ project facilitates the behavioural and psychological capability of the volunteering community to engage in environmental action.This research has supported a greater understanding of upscaling sustainablebusiness models and considering the prospects for re-shoring garment manufacturing to a high-cost economy, building on existing literature. The thesis contributes an indepth account of upscaling efforts from small-scale initiatives grounded in sustainability principles and innovative thinking.
AB - With growing interest in ethically- and environmentally-sound fashion systems,regional economic resilience, and community climate action, this research aimed to investigate the feasibility to upscale a localised and low-carbon textile system. Using a case study approach of the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ textile initiative in Blackburn, East Lancashire, the thesis highlights the opportunities and tensions involved in upscale, focusing on a proposed flax and natural indigo supply chain.Guided by the triple bottom line (TBL) framework for sustainability (Elkington,1998), a mixed-methods approach drew conclusions from primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data. Contributing to a growing interdisciplinary field of research, the thesis is situated between the fields of environmental research, sustainable supply chain management, transitions research, and environmental psychology.The research findings recommend a gradual re-localisation, recognising theshort-term trade-offs between elements of sustainability within a long-term vision towards a UK-based sustainable textiles industry. Collaborative endeavours across the industry are suggested to support economic feasibility, considering the current economic and infrastructural challenges. The carbon life cycle assessment (LCA) proposes flax-based denim to be a low-carbon fibre alternative, potentially with less than half the associated carbon impact of a cotton pair of jeans.A participatory action approach supported holistic and community-centricresearch into social sustainability within TBL. Findings from a small sample imply the ‘Homegrown/Homespun’ project facilitates the behavioural and psychological capability of the volunteering community to engage in environmental action.This research has supported a greater understanding of upscaling sustainablebusiness models and considering the prospects for re-shoring garment manufacturing to a high-cost economy, building on existing literature. The thesis contributes an indepth account of upscaling efforts from small-scale initiatives grounded in sustainability principles and innovative thinking.
KW - Textiles
KW - Supply Chain Management
KW - Regenerative Farming
KW - Climate Action
KW - Re-shoring
KW - Sustainability
KW - TBL sustainability
U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1914
DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1914
M3 - Master's Thesis
PB - Lancaster University
ER -