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Eco versus traditional denim: LCA analysis

their regular decision-making process. One practical aiming to improve the environmental performance of
step is to conduct internal LCAs when adopting a the textile industry. It underlines the need for industry-
new technology or material to quantitatively compare wide transformation, backed by government incentives,
environmental impacts. The study demonstrates stakeholder engagement, and investment in sustainable
how LCA pinpoints environmental hotspots such as infrastructure.
yarn, fabric, and garment production. Companies
can use this insight to target improvements – for Acknowledgments
example, if fabric production is a major contributor to
environmental impact, they might focus on making that This research was supported by the AUST Internal
stage sustainable through the use of renewable energy Research Grant of Ahsanullah University of Science
or process modifications. Instituting environmental and Technology. The authors thank the Ahsanullah
performance monitoring – such as annually computing University of Science and Technology for providing the
the carbon or water footprint of product lines – allows funds to conduct the research.
companies to track improvements, identify emerging
problems, and provide transparent documentation Funding
of progress, which is also valuable for sustainability
marketing. Adopting environmental management This study is financially supported by the AUST Internal
systems (such as ISO 14001:2015) or certification Research Grant of Ahsanullah University of Science
programs (such as the Higg Index and OEKO-TEX and Technology. Grant No. ARP/2022/TEX/03/10.
STeP) can provide structured frameworks to enhance
environmental performance. 44 Conflict of interest

4. Conclusion The authors declare no competing interests.

Using the ISO 14040/44 standards and the ReCiPe Author contributions
2016 Midpoint (H) methodology, this research
offers a thorough cradle-to-grave environmental Conceptualization: Kazi Rezwan Hossain
comparison between traditional and eco-friendly Formal analysis: All authors
denim manufacturing techniques in Bangladesh. The Investigation: All authors
results clearly demonstrate the significant reductions in Methodology: All authors
environmental impacts – particularly in climate change, Resources: All authors
water use, toxicity, and fossil energy consumption – Writing–original draft: All authors
achieved through sustainable manufacturing practices. Writing–review & editing: All authors
The transition to organic cotton farming, which requires
minimal irrigation and avoids synthetic fertilizers, Availability of data
has led to a drastic reduction in water usage and
harmful emissions associated with conventional cotton Data are available from the corresponding author upon
production. Furthermore, the adoption of renewable reasonable request.
energy sources and energy-efficient processes in the
eco-friendly system has further minimized fossil References
resource depletion and GHG emissions, positioning
it as a more sustainable alternative. Although land 1. Luo Y, Wu X, Ding X. Carbon and water footprints
use is slightly higher, the overall environmental assessment of cotton jeans using the method based on
performance of the eco-friendly scenario is markedly modularity: A full life cycle perspective. J Clean Prod.
better, providing a viable route toward more responsible 2022;332:130042.
doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130042
textile manufacture. The statistical validation of these 2. Moorhouse D, Moorhouse D. Sustainable design:
findings further reinforces the case for adopting Circular economy in fashion and textiles. Design J.
sustainable production technologies. This study not 2017;20(sup1):S1948-S1959.
only adds to the limited body of LCA studies specific doi: 10.1080/14606925.2017.1352713
to developing nations but also provides useful advice 3. Baydar G, Ciliz N, Mammadov A. Life cycle assessment
for manufacturers, legislators, and environmentalists of cotton textile products in Turkey. Resour Conserv

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 85 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.6241