Topics: Sustainability/CSR

Dr Alana James in the School of Design at Northumbria University.

EXPERT COMMENT: Fashion industry’s environmental impact is largely unknown – here’s why

Dr Alana James, Assistant Professor in Fashion at Northumbria University, discusses the environmental uncertainty facing the fashion industry.

Pictured from l-r are members of the project team – Dr Tom Stanton, of Loughborough University; and Dr Kelly Sheridan, Professor Anne Peirson-Smith, Dr Miranda Prendergast-Miller, and Dr Alana James of Northumbria University

Environmental impact of fashion industry under scrutiny

It is often described as fashion’s dirty secret, and in recent years there has been increasing recognition of the global environmental impact of the textile industry – however, the true scale of the problem is still not fully understood.

Fred Dunbar was recognised with the Tom Faulkner Award for Best Furniture Design and the London Design Fair Emerging Talent Award. Photography by Mark Cocksedge.

Students and graduates shine in national design competition

Northumbria School of Design excelled once again in London at New Designers 2023, which recognises rising stars whose unique work highlights key themes such as sustainability, mental health, diversity and other vital areas of responsible design.

Clear-out collaboration keeps Newcastle clean

Clear-out collaboration keeps Newcastle clean

Students in Newcastle have helped divert tonnes of waste from landfill and raised thousands of pounds for charity as part of a city-wide campaign.

Commitment to sustainable development recognised

Commitment to sustainable development recognised

Northumbria University has been ranked among the world’s top institutions for sustainability and global stewardship in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023.

Jim Gillon, Energy Services Manager, Gateshead Council, with Cllr John McElroy, at Gateshead’s Energy Centre.

Psychologists encourage Gateshead households to expand use of innovative heat networks

Experts in consumer behaviour and behaviour change from Northumbria University are working with Gateshead residents to understand how households are using heat networks, in a bid to expand their use across the borough.

Student Amber Cummins examining microfibers collected on the dryer lint filter

“Sustainable” condenser tumble dryers create hundreds of tonnes of waterborne microfiber pollution

A new study has revealed that drying laundry using a condenser tumble dryer leads to hundreds of tonnes of potentially harmful microfibers being released into waterways and oceans across the UK and Europe.

Wave founder Ross Longhorn, pictured with students from Northumbria University’s Business Clinic

Eco-friendly start-up gains business boost from Northumbria University students

An eco-friendly phone accessory start-up is making waves in the market, with a quarter of a million turnover in just its second year.

The 2022 Design for Planet Festival will take place at Northumbria University on Tuesday 8th November and Wednesday 9th November, to coincide with COP27, providing a series of virtual events and live broadcasts.

Registration is now open for the Design for Planet Festival at Northumbria

Biologist and wildlife film maker, Patrick Ayree, who worked for the BBC’s Natural History Unit alongside Sir David Attenborough, will host the Design Council’s Design for Planet Festival, due to take place at Northumbria University in November.

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word is a state-of-the-art cultural venue in South Tyneside.

Researchers awarded funding to highlight community involvement in sustainable practices

Northumbria University academics have won a British Academy grant to conduct research that highlights the importance of communities in helping to shape a more sustainable future.

As the United Nations’ annual climate change conference, COP27, gets under way in Egypt in November, the Design Council will be preparing to bring together businesses and designers from across disciplines at Northumbria University.

Northumbria to host award-winning Design for Planet festival

Northumbria University’s School of Design has been announced as the venue for this year’s Design for Planet festival, aimed at galvanising the design community to help tackle climate change.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre for Rural Sustainable Development has already trained more than 50 entrepreneurs and university students in managing and converting local waste, on green construction methods and agriculture.

Northumbria University contributes to sustainable development in Africa

Researchers at Northumbria University have been instrumental in the creation of a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship in a low-income area of Africa

The Summer 2022 edition of Northumbria University News is available to read online and on campus now.

Northumbria’s Summer 2022 newspaper is out now

Packed with the latest news, features and interviews, the newspaper is the perfect way to keep up to date with the exciting developments taking place across the University.

L-R: Joan Dayap, Programme Coordinator, Salix Finance; Will Kay, Regional Managing Director, EQUANS; Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Projects and Sustainability lead, Northumbria University.

State-of-the-art heating project supports sustainability goals

EQUANS, the new name for global energy firm ENGIE’s services and regeneration-led business, has supported Northumbria University in further reducing its carbon footprint thanks to the installation of a £1.7 million high-tech heating system.

Dr Mark Goddard works within Northumbria’s Geography and Environmental Sciences department which was ranked second in the UK for its research power in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Academic wins international award for work on ecological sustainability

A researcher at Northumbria University is part of a group of academics to win a prestigious international award for their work on sustainable science.

The People & Planet University League is the only comprehensive and independent league table of universities ranked against sustainability and ethics criteria.

Northumbria rated as top university in the North East for sustainability

Northumbria University has been rated as ‘first class’ for sustainability and is the highest ranked university in the North East in the latest People & Planet University league table.

Dr Julie Trueman from Northumbria University, Becky Gordon from Interface and design expert, Oliver Heath.

Interior Design students work with global design expert

Final year Interior Design students at Northumbria University have been working on a live brief with global expert in biophilic design, Oliver Heath.

A woman transporting wood by boat in the Sundarbans, West Bengal. Increasingly violent weather events and rising sea levels are increasing pressure on natural resources, undermining ecosystems and livelihoods and forcing populations out of the deltas

International research focuses on uniting minds and voices

As the spotlight on the landmark COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow continues into a second week, Professor of International Development at Northumbria University, Matt Baillie Smith, reflects on the importance of taking a collaborative approach to finding solutions which protect the future of the planet.

EXPERT COMMENT: Six lessons to change the climate of climate change narratives

EXPERT COMMENT: Six lessons to change the climate of climate change narratives

One of the key topics of discussion at COP26 is on how we can work with nature to improve our responses to the climate emergency.  As part of our coverage of climate related research undertaken by Northumbria University, we asked Alister Scott, Professor in Environmental Geography, to share his views on the six lessons that governments and decision makers can take from his research.

Fashion industry’s hidden environmental timebomb revealed

Fashion industry’s hidden environmental timebomb revealed

The devastating environmental impact of plastic clothing hangers has been revealed for the first time – with calls for the fashion industry to urgently address the issue.

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