Ana Paula Provin

Bio: Ana Paula Provin is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sustainable development & Sustainability. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 9 publications receiving 11 citations.

Circular economy for fashion industry: Use of waste from the food industry for the production of biotextiles

Abstract: In the context of current environmental, social and economic issues, it is imperative to perform more in-depth studies on waste management and the life cycle of a product. Thus, the concept of circular economy, aimed at transforming traditional patterns of production and economic growth, is extremely important. One way to mitigate negative environmental impacts that is consistent with a circular economic system is to encourage interdisciplinarity between sectors, that is, one production sector can provide a function for waste from another. In this context, this article gathers scientific information on two sectors relevant to the global economy (textiles and food), with the aim of reusing waste from the food industry to manufacture a new textile product with added value. Specifically, the focus is on the use of bacterial cellulose from the probiotic drinks from kombucha, for the manufacture of biotextiles for fashion industry. A discussion is also presented, relating the circular economy concept to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in order to understand which goals can be achieved with this approach.

New materials for clothing: Rethinking possibilities through a sustainability approach - A review

Abstract: The textile industry has one of the highest levels of employment around the world, but this is considered one of the most polluting activities. Researchers are therefore constantly looking for solutions and innovations that can mitigate the negative environmental impacts arising from this sector. This article provides an analytical literature review based on searches carried out in four databases, for the period of 2015–2020, focusing on concepts about sustainability and new sustainable materials used for the production of textiles. In the section “3. Concepts of sustainability and the new possibilities of materials for textiles”, the concepts for a more sustainable sector such as upcycling and the possibilities of new materials through the use of microorganisms and investment in smart textiles are discussed through the researched literature. Reinforcing in this way, how these analyzed contents can contribute to the future of the textile industry. A total of 75 research articles were found, published in 40 journals, which were grouped by subject: “Upcycling”, “Living Organisms and Biotechnology” and “Smart Textiles”, noting that the highest occurrence of articles related to the themes came from the United Kingdom and China, mainly in the period of 2019. Finally, the concepts and materials found and their coherence with the sustainable development goals established by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda were analyzed.

Textile industry and environment: can the use of bacterial cellulose in the manufacture of biotextiles contribute to the sector?

Abstract: The textile industry is one of the most complex sectors in relation to environmental degradation, both with regard to the materials used from petroleum and its chemical processes and during its manufacture and disposal. Therefore, new possibilities for more sustainable materials are emerging. One of the options is the use of microorganisms, as the biomaterial formed is considered biodegradable and has potential use for several sectors, including the fashion industry. The bacteria of the Komagataeibacter xylinus family present in the probiotic drink Kombucha, is a great source for the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) and has the potential to replace fabrics in the production of clothing and accessories. Therefore, this article carried out an integrative literature review, addressing in the results and discussions the problem surrounding the pollution generated by the Textile Industry, the advantages and disadvantages of bacterial cellulose as a bio-textile and how these issues can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Finally, it is believed that the textile industrial system should be revised, as it is still incongruous on both environmental and social issues. Therefore, thinking about new, more sustainable materials, such as bacterial cellulose, is a form of mitigation and consistent with the SDGs.

Use of bacterial cellulose in the textile industry and the wettability challenge—a review

Abstract: Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied as an alternative material in several segments of the food, pharmaceutical, materials and textile industries. The importance of BC is linked to sustainability goals, since it is an easily degradable biomaterial of low toxicity to the environment and is a renewable raw material. For use in the textile area, bacterial cellulose has attracted great interest from researchers, but it presents some challenges notably to its hydrophilic structure. This integrative review article brings together studies and methods related to minimizing the hydrophilicity of bacterial cellulose, in order to expand its applicability in the textile industry in its dry state. The databases consulted were Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and Web of Science, the documents investigated were scientific articles and the time period investigated was between 2015 and 2021. The results showed that although there are methods to make the BC membrane more hydrophobic, future studies in this regard and on other properties must continue so that bacterial cellulose can be commercially introduced in the textile sector.

Sustainable development goals and ethics: building “the future we want”

Abstract: To ensure the survival and quality of life of our species, we seek sustainable development to balance the economic, social and environmental spheres in an ethical and equitable manner. The United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) have become the guiding principles aimed at guaranteeing a safe space for everyone through awareness and clarity of the responsibilities of each individual. This article addresses different views on the topic “sustainable development,” relating them to ethical issues and then associating the discussions with the SDGs. However, in relation to the subject of ethics and concern for planet Earth, several other documents, such as Laudato Si', Gaia and Gaia 2.0, are of great importance to complement and enrich the discussion. A global perspective is proposed, based on the encyclical Laudato Si', the Gaia theory of James Lovelock, religious concepts and idea of the good of humanity, along with the vision of Timothy Lenton who talks about Gaia 2.0. It is highlighted that understanding the role of the Church, the government and academic research in combating environmental, social and economic problems is of great relevance. Finally, based on the discussions provided herein it can be observed that although the statements and documents examined present similarities in pointing to an ethical agenda, they need further debate and research.

Bioenergy and bio-products from bio-waste and its associated modern circular economy: Current research trends, challenges, and future outlooks

Abstract: The generation of bioenergy and bioproducts from biowaste streams has piqued global interest in achieving a cutting-edge circular economy. The integration of biowaste into the cutting-edge circular economy has the potential to significantly increase the production of sustainable bioproducts and bioenergy. The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this article. It is described to emphasise the critical nature of research into improving biowaste conversion into circular economies and the impact that bioeconomy has on various societal sectors. The present study examined how microbial profiles have transformed treasured bioenergy and bioproducts aspirations into mechanical bioproducts marvels discovered through cutting-edge microbial analyses of biowaste. Additionally, the article discussed contemporary experiences with the developing circular economy of biowaste as a resource for numerous bioproducts and bioenergy businesses, as well as the emanant biowaste biorefinery methods that could be used to evaluate industrial-scale maintainable financial models for updated bioproducts and other generation-related issues.

Bioenergy and bio-products from bio-waste and its associated modern circular economy: Current research trends, challenges, and future outlooks

Abstract: The generation of bioenergy and bioproducts from biowaste streams has piqued global interest in achieving a cutting-edge circular economy. The integration of biowaste into the cutting-edge circular economy has the potential to significantly increase the production of sustainable bioproducts and bioenergy. The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this article. It is described to emphasise the critical nature of research into improving biowaste conversion into circular economies and the impact that bioeconomy has on various societal sectors. The present study examined how microbial profiles have transformed treasured bioenergy and bioproducts aspirations into mechanical bioproducts marvels discovered through cutting-edge microbial analyses of biowaste. Additionally, the article discussed contemporary experiences with the developing circular economy of biowaste as a resource for numerous bioproducts and bioenergy businesses, as well as the emanant biowaste biorefinery methods that could be used to evaluate industrial-scale maintainable financial models for updated bioproducts and other generation-related issues.

Building a new mind set in tomorrow fashion development through circular strategy models in the framework of waste management

Abstract: Energy, food, and clothing are the three main components of humanity. Each one individually and all together contribute to climate change and CO2 emissions, to the consumption of natural resources, as well as influencing social attitude and behaviour. The global trends of the fashion industry are projected to expand in value from $1.5 trillion in 2020 to about $2.25 trillion by 2025, presenting that the fashion request is on continual growth. As natural resources (e.g., water) to produce clothes and shoes are limited nowadays, more resource-efficient production pathways must be identified; moreover, natural materials must replace plastic fibres, natural colours must replace synthetic ones, and ‘buy-and throw-way philosophy’ must turn into ‘buy-less-and-these-are-needed’ as so to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion sector. This work emphasized the necessity of developing a new business circular model for the fashion industry with the potential of providing plethora of economic opportunities in the framework of waste management. Clear vision and new strategy development in the fashion sector is proposed, including the involvement of customers, businesses and policy makers, driven by the promotion of circular economy through knowledge exchange, education as well as regulatory relief measures for a synergic transition towards the circularity of the fashion industry.

Practical solutions for circular business models in the fashion industry

Abstract: • Fast fashion retailers develop different flavors of circularity in their value chain. • Big players in fast fashion resort to a wide range of circularity solutions. • Retailers impose stringent rules on their upstream business partners. • Fast fashion companies educate consumers to extend the lifecycle of their garments. • Environmental impact can be reduced at each stage of the fast fashion value chain. The purpose of this paper is to provide rich empirical evidence on circularity solutions adopted by the largest companies in the fast fashion industry. The sustainability reports of six global players were analyzed using a comprehensive circular model of the value chain. This model comprises eleven stages: product design, virgin raw material extraction and processing, textile and material production, manufacturing, auditing and certification, packaging and retail, customer use, post-consumer garment collection, recycling fibers and materials, partnerships, and transparency. The results are reported on five implementation phases: strategies, research and development, implementation at scale, quantitative indicators, and targets. The analysis shows that major players in this sector created a complex system for reducing their environmental impact while imposing strict rules in their upstream supply chain. Downstream, these companies educate their customers on the topic of circularity and promote recycle-or-reuse consumer habits. In addition to offering practical examples of strategy, product, and process design, the present contribution describes several configurations of circular models as implemented by large fashion retailers. The results have significant implications for theory, management, and standard-setting, considering that fast fashion is widely viewed as having a negative impact on the environment.

Sustainable Development Goals in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Abstract: The present narrative review aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sustainable development goals (SDGS). This information would allow a better comprehension of the actual state of the SDGS and a more efficient programming in future interventions. To achieve the objective of the study, a consensual and critical review was carried out using both primary sources, such as scientific articles, and secondary sources, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages and databases. The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, close the gender gap, protect the planet, and improve the lives of people around the world. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted 17 goals as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out a plan to achieve the goals in 15 years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic crisis has been a turning point in the achievement of these goals, due to all its consequences at the political, economic, and socio-cultural levels. This review can be used as a guide for future research and reviews in order to understand the status of each of the SDGs and what actions have been taken and proposed in the aftermath of the pandemic in recent years.