Our world is becoming more and more technological. Even fashion is getting more technologically advanced. But I'm not talking about high tech fabrics that wick moisture. More and more scientists and designers are weaving small electric components into fabric to allow it to function as any number of electronic devises.
However, Environmental Leader is reporting that few of these scientists and designers are considering the end of life of these high tech fabrics. And as they become more and more popular, they have the potential to create a e-waste threat. Fabric with electronic components can't be recycled the way typical fabric or electronics can be. There are large amounts of metals woven throughout the fabric and the fabric can't go through typical electronics recycling machines. Few people involved seem to be thinking about or taking responsibility for what happens when these fabrics have served their purpose.
Another thing that concerns me that the Environmental Leader report didn't cover is the negative health effects of having all of those electro-magnetic fields surrounding the body in such close proximity. Some of them will be just inches from vital organs. As facinating as these fabrics are, I think it highlights a problem with our society. We get excited about and reward innovation...which we should, but lifecycle isn't given much thought and it's always someone else's responsibility to think about and take care of. Many of the environmental and health problems we have now come from this type of thinking.
I'm not opposed to innovation or even to these fabrics per se. However, when you don't consider the end of life or health implications of your innovation you are putting that burdeon on the rest of society to solve and pay for. And that just isn't right.
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