3.8 Activity

Choose the track for your profile, then complete the version that matches it.

This activity asks learners to apply the anatomy, decision matrix and compatibility tools from this chapter to a real product, at a level of depth suited to their track.

VET (EQF 4): Material Detective

Choose one simple garment you own or have access to, for example a T-shirt, hoodie or pair of jeans.

• List every component you can find: main fabric, dominant fibre, sewing thread, all trims (zips, buttons, rivets, drawcords), labels and any coatings or prints.
• For each component, note the material (if labelled) or your best estimate, and whether it looks easy or hard to separate from the rest of the garment.
• Mark which components you think would help recycling (e.g. mono-material fabric, removable metal buttons) and which would hinder it (e.g. fused interlining, mixed-material zip).

HEI (EQF 5): Compare two garments

Choose two garments that differ noticeably in material composition, for example a mono-material piece versus a blended one, or a natural-fibre garment versus a synthetic one.

• Apply the Material Selection Decision Matrix (section 3.3) to both garments, scoring each on carbon footprint, water footprint, durability, repairability, recyclability, supplier transparency and DPP readiness.
• Where exact data is not available, estimate scores using the reference values in the matrix and justify your reasoning.
• Identify at least two trade-offs revealed by the comparison, for example a material that scores well on durability but poorly on recyclability.

Professionals (EQF 6): Analyse and redesign

Select one product from your own company’s current or past collections.

Map its full anatomy using the component groups (fibres/yarns, fabric, interlinings, closures, threads, trims/accessories, labels).

Identify at least three concrete recovery barriers, for example incompatible fibre blends, non-removable trims, coatings, or missing composition data.

Propose two or three specific redesign actions to address these barriers (e.g. substituting a component, shifting toward monomateriality, reducing accessory count, or adding disassembly-friendly closures).

For each proposed action, note the expected impact on circularity and any practical constraint (cost, supplier availability, lead time, performance requirements).