It must be green: meeting society’s environmental concerns

Abstract

Consumers today are increasingly demanding goods which not only conform to the public’s image of being ‘eco‐friendly’ and ‘organic’ but of having been produced ‘ethically’. Meeting such high ideals has a down side, both in higher costs and often in that of having to accept more distant suppliers. Present trends in the coloration of foods with natural dyes rather than synthetic ones, increasing consumption of organic products (including fibres) and energy‐saving trends in dye application methods, fuels and lighting, as well as the means of capturing solar energy, are discussed. The discovery of some interesting and historic green colours, the wider use of green (in both senses of the word) products and green chemistry’s future role in producing them are also reviewed.

Realizing the environmental impact of soft materials: Criteria for utilization and design specification

“…It also requires high quantities of water and cannot be grown year after year without permanently depleting the soil. According to Dawson [30,39] and Emsley [40], present day ethical consumers tend to seek textile from 'natural' or 'organic' sources, but still mistakenly believe that anything must be harmful if it contains 'chemicals' or 'E-numbers', without appreciating that strict control systems of compliance are in place for their protection, and that even natural dyes have E-numbers.…”

Untitled

“…The principles of green chemistry offer an upstream solution to many of the health, environmental, and economic problems spawned by industrial chemicals Dawson [9].…”

Biosynthesis and synthesis of natural colours

“…This technology has given rise, particularly in the USA, to large‐scale production of genetically modified (GM) soya, maize, cotton and certain fruits. In Europe, in common with many other ‘green’ issues, there is continuing controversy over GM crops [22]. One of the latest techniques of introducing new genetic material is by using a so‐called gene gun which fires, at high velocity, nanosized particles of tungsten or gold carrying a coating of the genetic material that is to be introduced, into the plant tissues [31].…”

“…Increasing consumer awareness of environmental considerations has resulted in the retail food trade undergoing a period of change and issues, such as the sourcing, packaging and, in particular, the use of synthetic food additives, are under scrutiny. There has been a resurgence of interest in organically produced food and, where it is necessary to add colour in processed goods, for these to be classed as ‘natural’ [22]. Accordingly, many food supermarkets have publicised that changes have been made and that only natural colours are now used in all their ‘own brand’ packaged foods.…”