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Calculating the Environmental Impact Reduction Due to Extended Lifespan of Clothing Through Clothing Swaps
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Researchers developed and implemented an algorithm for calculating the environmental impact reduction achieved through clothing swaps on a peer-to-peer sharing platform, quantifying how extended garment lifespan reduces textile waste and associated microplastic fiber emissions.
This paper presents an algorithm for evaluating the environmental impact of clothing swaps, promoting extended use and responsible consumption. Implemented in an online swapping platform, the algorithm quantifies reductions in environmental impact due to extended clothing lifespan and avoided purchase of new garments, promoting swapping activities. Developed through scientific literature analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), and swapping practice studies, the algorithm uses the following key environmental indicators: carbon footprint, water use, energy consumption, and land use. It integrates consumer behavior insights and uses both default and user-entered clothing data to calculate environmental savings. Results show that clothing impact varies by fabric. Viscose and polyester clothing have the lowest environmental impact, while swapping cotton and wool items yields the highest savings, as these materials are more resource intensive. The platform-integrated algorithm recorded 251 swaps over two months, preventing 4203 kg CO2 emissions, 6813 m3 of water use, 3118 m2a crop eq of land use, and 88.79 GJ of energy consumption. These findings highlight the significant environmental benefits of prolonging clothing use through swapping.
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