Dr. Chenyu: We integrate the concept of sustainability into our teaching curriculum starting from the first year. Core concepts such as Sustainability, Life Cycle Analysis, Carbon Footprint, and Water Footprint are introduced to students. Recognizing that some students may initially lack familiarity with these concepts and their environmental implications, we engage them in practical exercises. For instance, we encourage students to calculate their carbon footprint for a typical university day, considering factors like transportation modes, dietary choices, and other activities. This hands-on approach facilitates real-time comprehension of sustainability principles.
Additionally, we supplement classroom learning by inviting industry experts to share insights on ongoing research and their professional experiences.
NanoTextile: It’s impressive to hear about the practical exercises you engage students in to facilitate their understanding of sustainability principles.
Dr. Chenyu: Our research endeavors, supported by funding from the UK government and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) encompass a diverse array of projects. These projects, funded by entities such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Centre (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), span various domains. For example, we are actively exploring avenues for recycling textiles, plastics, and fibers. Challenges in this realm include effectively separating cellulose-based fibers from plastic-based ones and addressing associated chemical complexities.
Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration is a hallmark of our research landscape, with contributions from fields like Computer Science utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to map environmental impacts and traditional engineering domains. So, in a way the projects and programs are quite integrated.
Dr. Chenyu: The ongoing project on Recycling of Plastics at Huddersfield targets the recycling of plastics integrated into textiles.
Making clothes uses tremendous resources and energy, and their end of lifecycle in landfill or incineration after hardly any usage is a huge and unnecessary waste.
Recognizing the significant environmental toll of clothing production and disposal, the problem arises not just from clothes packaging but also from plastic’s incorporation into textiles alongside natural fibres. Separating it out again from these is hugely challenging, with over 80% of the plastic used in the textiles industry not currently recycled.
Currently, just less than 20% of the plastic used by the textiles industry is being recycled, contributing to environmental degradation. Our ambition is to significantly increase the recycling rate of textile industry waste, if not achieve complete recycling. We are dedicated to uncovering innovative methods for reusing textile waste, thereby minimizing its contribution to environmental pollution.
NanoTextile: Your dedication to increasing the recycling rate of textile industry waste is truly admirable. It’s clear that your ambition is to make a substantial impact on environmental pollution through innovative methods for reusing textile waste.
Dr. Chenyu: Yes, we undertake various outreach initiatives to raise awareness about sustainability within the industry. We actively engage undergraduate students, providing insights into our research and the available facilities. Furthermore, we host industry professionals who deliver talks on current industry trends, ongoing research initiatives, and achieved milestones. These collaborative efforts serve to foster dialogue, disseminate knowledge, and promote sustainable practices within the industry.
NanoTextile: It’s inspiring to hear about the outreach initiatives you undertake to raise awareness about sustainability within the industry. Collaborative efforts are needed in order to foster dialogue and promote sustainable practices effectively.
Dr. Chenyu: Consumer receptivity to sustainable products varies depending on several factors. For example, in the production of biochemicals, our aim is to offer products at competitive prices compared to traditional alternatives or even products with added functionalities. In the textile sector, the value proposition lies in enhanced product functionality, durability, and longevity. Here, sustainability justifies the higher price which will be beneficial in the long run.
While sustainable products may initially command a premium, our long-term objective is to optimize production processes to offer them at more accessible price points, so that more people are open to buy. Ultimately, consumer willingness to purchase sustainable products hinges on perceived benefits and affordability.
NanoTextile: Your insights into consumer receptivity to sustainable products are enlightening. It’s evident that while sustainable products may initially command a premium, efforts to optimize production processes aim to make them more accessible to consumers must be sustained.
Dr. Chenyu: Yes indeed! There are a lot of high-profile celebrities involved in promotion of sustainability, including the members of the royal family as well. There are various events and conferences that they attend and help us in generating awareness for the cause. However, all of us need to work from the ground level for this instead of just talking about it. It is imperative for ambassadors to demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainable practices and lead by example. For example, if there is a celebrity who just uses his own helicopter to come all the way over at an event and then talk about sustainability, then that wouldn’t make sense at all. People will not believe it or even relate to it closely!