12

12
GRADE

Consumer Studies
CAPS

Consumer Studies 3-in-1

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Maralyn Burger, Elmarie Augustyn & Anneke du Plessis

3-in-1

Maralyn Burger, et al.

Grade 12 Consumer Studies 3-in-1 CAPS
CLASS TEXT & STUDY GUIDE

This Grade 12 Consumer Studies 3-in-1 study guide is a dependable, easy-to-follow study aid for every learner in
this subject.

It contains thoroughly researched notes, clear illustrations, study tips, exercises and exam papers. The bulleted
notes, relevant diagrams and logical layout aid understanding and accessibility of the curriculum content.

Key Features:
• Comprehensive notes and tips
• Questions and answers per topic
• Exam paper and memo

This study guide provides the total package that a learner requires to excel in this subject.
 12
GRADE

Consumer Studies
CAPS Maralyn Burger, Elmarie Augustyn and Anneke du Plessis

3-in-1

THIS CLASS TEXT & STUDY GUIDE INCLUDES

1 Notes per Topic

2 Questions per Topic

3 Detailed Answers E-book

available

Plus a sample Exam Paper and Memo

2013 publication | 2020 editon| ISBN: 978-1-920568-78-8 20092021 | TAS

 CONTENTS
What is Consumer Studies? ....................................................................................... i TOPIC 4: HOUSING AND INTERIOR ............................................... 95
Assessment in Grade 12 ............................................................................................. i Unit 1: Different housing acquisition options .......................................................... 95
Unit 2: Financing related to buying a house......................................................... 101
TOPIC 1: ENTREPRENEURSHIP ......................................................... 1 Unit 3: Buying household appliances ................................................................... 106
Unit 1: Move from an idea to the production and marketing of a product ..................... 1 Questions .............................................................................................................. 116
Unit 2: Choice of product for small-scale production ............................................... 4
Unit 3: Factors influencing efficient production ........................................................ 7 TOPIC 5: THE CONSUMER ................................................................. 127
Unit 4: Requirements for quality products ................................................................ 9 Unit 1: Financial and contractual aspects of which consumers
Unit 5: Develop a marketing plan according to the 5P marketing strategy ............ 13 should take note ....................................................................................... 127

Unit 6: Sustainable profitability of a business ........................................................ 17 Unit 2: Taxes, interest rates and inflation............................................................. 135

Questions ............................................................................................................... 20 Unit 3: Sustainable consumption of electricity ..................................................... 140

Unit 4: Sustainable consumption of water............................................................ 145

TOPIC 2: CLOTHING .................................................................................. 22 Unit 5: Municipal services .................................................................................... 147

Unit 1: Fashion ....................................................................................................... 22 Questions .............................................................................................................. 148

Unit 2: Appearance in the world of work ................................................................ 27

Unit 3: Consumer issues regarding clothing and textiles. ...................................... 31 Answers

Questions ............................................................................................................... 34 Topic 1 .................................................................................................................... 156

Topic 2 .................................................................................................................... 157

TOPIC 3: FOOD AND NUTRITION ..................................................... 39 Topic 3 .................................................................................................................... 161

Unit 1: Nutritional and food-related health conditions ............................................ 40 Topic 4 .................................................................................................................... 168

Unit 2: Foodborne diseases ................................................................................... 60 Topic 5 .................................................................................................................... 176

Unit 3: Food additives ............................................................................................ 68

Unit 4: Food labelling ............................................................................................. 74 Exam paper & memo
Unit 5: Food-related consumer issues ................................................................... 77 Exam paper ............................................................................................................. 183
Questions ............................................................................................................... 83 Exam memo ............................................................................................................ 189
2
2: CLOTHING
NOTES

OVERVIEW UNIT 1
FASHION
UNIT 1
Fashion .................................................................................................... 22 THE CONCEPT OF FASHION
Fashion
• Fashion is a style of clothing that a specific group of people (e.g. an age group)
UNIT 2 accepts and wears in a specific place (country or region) at a specific time.
Appearance in the world of work ............................................................. 27 • We are exposed to fashion ideas through the media in advertising, music,
videos and films showing what we should wear.

Fashion style
UNIT 3
• Fashion styles are differences or additions whereby similar products are
Consumer issues regarding clothing and textiles .................................... 31 distinguished from one another.
• It is usually lines that serve to distinguish one form from the other,
e.g. an A-line skirt, a pleated skirt and a pencil skirt all have different styles,
although they are all skirts.
1: FASHION

A-line dress Neoclassical Pleated skirt Pencil skirt Mandarin collar

style dress

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Silhouette Fashion fad 2
• This is the outline of your body or of a garment, which you can see from a • It is a fashion that is rapidly accepted and worn

NOTES
distance, even before you notice the detail of the style. by a relatively small group of consumers.

• These fashion items suddenly become popular,

• There are three basic silhouettes in clothing: the cylinder, the triangle and
but disappear again just as quickly.
the bell.
• Fashion fads usually last only for one season.
Fashion trend • Reasons for this short life span are: the product is usually of a poor design, too
extravagant or just too extreme.
• Fashions always follow trends.
• Examples of fashion fads are: platform shoes, plastic shoes, artificial flowers in
• It is the general direction that a fashion style takes, e.g. length of the place of jewellery and wearing gloves.
hemline or the shape of the neck- or waistline, or sleeve length.
Classic style/timeless fashion
Contemporary fashion/standard fashion • Classic styles are timeless and remain in fashion because of their simplicity.
• These are styles that are currently accepted and worn by many people.
• These styles are a good investment as they remain popular over a long period.

• They are mass-produced and then sold in chain stores at fair, affordable prices. • The styles are always considered elegant and are usually of a good quality.

• These styles generally remain in fashion for two to three years. • Examples are: denim jeans, straight leg trousers, plain T-shirts, button-down
shirts, tailored suits and cardigans.

Haute couture/high fashion

• These are new, unique and exclusive styles that
are created by fashion designers.

• The creations are usually very expensive due

to the limited number made and the outstanding
quality of textiles and finishes.

• The high prices make these fashion items

affordable only to the very rich and a few
fashion leaders.

1: FASHION
• Haute couture styles will only be successful
if they are accepted by fashion leaders and
the public.

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2 INFLUENCES DETERMINING CONTEMPORARY FASHION There are 5 phases in a fashion cycle:

Before the 1800s, only rich people could dress fashionably, because clothes 1 Introduction
NOTES

were just too expensive. After the Industrial Revolution, more people could dress
• Fashion designers and fashion houses introduce a new fashion to the
fashionably, because clothes were mass-produced and were made available at
market for the first time. It is shown on catwalks during international
affordable prices.
fashion shows.
Today the main influences on the fashion industry are: • Famous personalities are photographed wearing the trend.

International fashion shows • The fashion is now accepted or rejected by fashion leaders.
• It is very expensive, because of the initially high production costs and
• Designers introduce their fashion ideas to their clients though fashion shows
risks run by designers if the product does not sell.
twice a year (summer and winter).
• It is not yet available in stores, only in exclusive boutiques and directly
from the designer.
Celebrities/icons whose style is copied
• The dress style of actors, sport stars, singers, royalty and other famous people 2 Rise
is closely followed and imitated. • More people accept the fashion and buy it.
• Reproductions of the dress styles are mass-produced so that ordinary people • Its popularity increases.
can also wear them.
• Fashion items are produced on a larger scale, resulting in lower prices.
• Clothing stores advertise the fashion in magazines, newspapers and in
Inspiration from fashions of previous eras
their window displays.
• Designers use clothing styles from previous eras for inspiration.
3 Peak
era = period/time
• The fashion reaches the height of its popularity and many people wear it.
Fashion cycles
• Mass production takes place and it is available in most stores at
• A fashion cycle is the life cycle of a style or fashion trend, from the moment it is affordable prices.
introduced through to the time it has become obsolete. Fashions come and go
4 Decline
in waves and this can be represented by a graph.
• People become bored with the fashion and are on the lookout for
Peak something new.
% of population wearing the fashion

• Fewer people wear it and the fashion becomes less popular.

• In order to get rid of stocks, stores mark them down as sales items.
• A new fashion is now introduced.
Rise Decline
5 Obsolescence/end
• The fashion cycle is now complete.
1: FASHION

Introduction Obsolescence/end • Garments go out of fashion and few people are still wearing them.
• They are sold at very low prices on sales.
• The old fashion dies out and disappears.
Time • The new fashion has already been established.
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  The rise of one fashion wave overlaps the decline of the previous fashion wave.
• It is a reinterpretation of a previous fashion, with a modern slant. 2
As one fashion wave starts to disappear, the next one has already begun.
• The repetitions are never exactly the same as the previous fashions.

NOTES
 Different fashion cycles overlap as follows:
• Sometimes it is only the silhouette/shape of a sleeve/collar that is repeated,
or decorative elements such as embroidery/beading.

• Styles are always adapted to suit the needs and lifestyle

of the current period.
Overlapping waves of fashion cycles
A vintage style is a
• There is also a revival in wearing antique or style from the past that
vintage garments. is used unchanged.

Fashion fads, classic styles and standard fashions • Some people buy clothes at vintage boutiques, because they feel it is part of an
environmentally friendly lifestyle.
• The duration (time from beginning to end) of the different cycles will vary, e.g.:
Reusing or recycling clothing is a way of protecting
 Fashion fad: has a very short cycle, usually only one year (one season);
our natural resources and helps to save money.
a sudden rise in popularity and disappears just as quickly You will learn more about this on p. 32.
 Classic style/timeless fashion: remains in fashion for very long; often
regarded as timeless; suitable for most people
Why fashions change
 Standard fashion: generally remains in fashion for 2 to 3 years
• The main reason for change in fashions is that consumers quickly become
classic bored with fashions and want something new.
Number of people

New fashions keep the fashion industry going, it creates

wearing it

employment opportunities which are good for the economy.

standard
fad
Fashions are mainly influenced by the following:
Economic factors
Time • Factors such as economic recessions and depressions, inflation, wealth and
poverty can all accelerate or slow down changes in fashion.

Fashion revival: retrospective/retro/classic fashions • Fashion flourishes in communities where consumers have plenty of money
to spend on clothes.
• Revivals take place when designers look at clothing from previous periods
• When consumers' income is high or when consumer credit facilities (credit
for inspiration.

1: FASHION
cards) increase, people tend to buy more and fashions change more rapidly.
• Retrospective fashions refer to clothes that imitate styles of previous eras.
• In poorer communities there are practically no changes in fashion.
• These garments are not antiques or old-fashioned, but just a relatively accurate
version of an older garment given a new look.
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2 Social factors • Mass media such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the
Internet spread fashion news very rapidly to a wide variety of people resulting
• Famous personalities or influential people have an effect on fashion, because
in an increased demand for fashion.
NOTES

consumers like to imitate their clothing.

• The purpose of marketing (advertising) is to influence consumers to accept
• Some market segments insist on different fashions, e.g. clothing for the youth
the importance of fashion and fashion changes so that manufacturers can
or the aged, clothing that is suitable for men or women living with disabilities, or
increase their turnover. This also ensures that consumers stay informed about
clothing for specific ethnic or religious groups.
the latest fashion information.
• Geographical living patterns are an important social factor. People living in
cities are exposed to fashion and will buy new fashions while people from rural • Verbal communication about the latest trends within peer groups also
areas buy new clothes less often. encourages fashion changes.

• Demographics has an influence on the availability of fashions. People in cities Political and legal factors
are far more exposed to fashion than those in rural areas.
• Factors such as legislation or trade relations between countries can restrict or
• Higher education levels influence fashion changes positively, as educated promote change.
people usually have better access to resources informing people of new  In some countries there is strict legislation with regard to clothing, e.g. some
fashions. Middle Eastern countries, women may wear only certain clothing in public,
• Cross-cultural contact and subcultural groups introduce new fashions to resulting in restricting fashion changes.
one another.  Countries that have good trade relations with other countries are exposed to
• Cultural festivals can expose visitors to new fashions at these events. more fashion influences which promotes fashion changes.

People's increased mobility opened up the market

for comfortable leisure wear. People travel more Contemporary fashion trends for young adults
and are exposed to more cultures and trends and
then develop a need for different clothing items. • Contemporary fashion trends give young adults the chance to give expression
to their personal style.
Technological factors • Group acceptance and social status are important to most teenagers and this
• The development of synthetic fibres, new finishing processes, the is why they want to look like their friends and wear the same type of clothes.
improvement of fabric properties and new production methods result
• Wearing the latest fashion trends, brands and labels imply popularity,
in ongoing change in the fashion industry.
a big circle of friends and acceptance by their peer group.
Examples of advancement in textile technology include • Young adults like to buy brand name items to establish financial status and to
the development of stretch fabrics (e.g. spandex) as fit in with a certain group image. Those who cannot afford it, may be tempted to
well as wrinkle-free and drip-dry fabrics.
buy imitations of brand name items.

• The clothing manufacturing industry is mostly mechanised (machines do • The buying power of young adults is directly influenced by the media and
most of the work) and to a certain degree computerised (e.g. computer advertising, resulting in quickly changing fashion trends.
1: FASHION

pattern design). • Clothing for young adults differs from that of other adults in that it is more
• There are also improved industrial sewing and knitting machines. daring and adventurous and it exposes more of the body.

 These improved clothing manufacturing methods ensure the production • This group seldom wears classic, durable clothing and prefers to buy more
of more clothes and the cost of fashion items may decrease. fashionable and cheaper clothing.
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 Guidelines when choosing and purchasing clothes 2
UNIT 2 and accessories for work

NOTES
APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD • The clothes and accessories you choose, must be appropriate for your work
OF WORK and the image the company wants to portray. They must also project positive
messages about you.

• It may be expected of you to attend social events, training sessions, office

THE ROLE OF APPEARANCE IN THE WORKPLACE parties or year-end functions. When planning your working wardrobe, you must
take these types of function into consideration.
• The type of clothes you wear, how your clothes fit you, and your body language
send a non-verbal message about you to other people. • It is very important to comply with the company's dress code, even if it does
• In order to send the correct message, you need to know who you are, what not suit your personality.
emotions you are experiencing and how you want your employers and
colleagues to view you. • A company can expect of you to wear corporate clothing or a uniform.
• It is important that your work clothes create an image of you as neat,  Corporate wear is clothing associated with people who
professional and competent. work in a big company. It is mainly worn as a kind of
identification and usually includes a corporate logo. Many
• This will give the impression that you are confident and ready to deliver good work.
companies supply shirts in a specific colour with their
company name or logo on them to company staff. The
How to create a professional appearance in the workplace style trousers or skirt to be worn with the shirts then
 Keep your clothes clean, neat and wrinkle-free. depends on the employees. They can wear any style that
suits their figure as long as it is in the prescribed colour.
 Wear clothes that fit well, that are neither too loose

2: APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD OF WORK

nor too tight.
 Wear neat, polished and comfortable shoes. Advantages of corporate wear
 Limit your jewelry.
 staff members are easily identified
 Keep your hair and nails neatly trimmed and
well groomed.  there is less stress about what to wear to work
 Do not wear clothes that may seem  it may be cheaper than buying work clothes
provocative, e.g. plunging necklines,
 a basic standard for appearance is created
short skirts or transparent clothing.
 Do not wear clothes that may offend others.  it projects the image or identity of the company

• Be aware that certain colours may create a certain impression in the world of
work - e.g. black is seen as smart, grey as conservative, blue suggests  Uniforms are usually worn for identification purposes,
dependability and red indicates assertiveness. but also to set a basic standard with regard to dress and
appearance. In some cases uniforms are used for hygienic
• Some companies have a dress code to which employees must conform. This purposes or for the protection of workers.
is a policy or a set of rules specifying what type of clothes must be worn by
Examples include: the police service, school pupils,
employees. The purpose of a dress code is to ensure that all employees fit in
nursing staff and defence force members.
and feel part of the company.
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2 Further guidelines Planning a basic wardrobe for the workplace
NOTES

• Choose outfits in basic colours such as grey, black, white and beige. Black is • For a well-planned wardrobe you have to analyse your existing wardrobe,
versatile, because it is suitable to be worn as day- and eveningwear. organise and group clothes that match together so that you can wear them
to various occasions.
• Choose clothes that fit well and feel comfortable. • Mixing and matching is very important.
• Choose clothing that complements your figure type. • If styles and textures go together and suit your needs, you should be able to
wear them to any activity or place at any time of the day or night.
• Your wardrobe should reflect quality rather than quantity (number). A basic wardrobe must take the following factors into account:

• Choose classic styles that will not go out of fashion quickly. Limit fashion items Seasons
to accessories and smaller items. • In summer, lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton are used for clothes,
because they are cool. Cotton is also very absorbent.
• Choose clothes that you can mix and match. You should be able to match each
item with at least three others. • Pale or cool colours, such as white, cream and blue, are particularly suitable for
summer clothes.
• Choose colours, textures and accessories that are easy to mix and match. • In winter, heavyweight fabrics like wool are used. Warm jackets, coats and
scarves are worn in warmer colours.
• Buy more tops than bottom pieces. For every skirt or pair of trousers you • Darker colours such as black, grey and dark blue are also worn more often
should have three to five tops. in winter.
A garment that is striped
• 70 to 80% of the clothes should be plain in colour. or in a printed fabric can Different work functions (male and female)
be mixed easily with • When you have to go to a work function after work, choose daywear you can
• 20 to 30% of the clothes can be patterned. neutral colours.
2: APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD OF WORK

dress up. For example, put on a different top or change your accessories and
hair style.
• Choose classic good quality shoes that can match all your outfits.
• Avoid outfits that appear provocative or too revealing.
• Choose easy-care fabrics and make sure they can be washed. Type of work/activities
• Do not buy impulsively; buy a sales item only if it matches at least three other • The type of work you do will determine what you wear.
pieces of clothing. • If you deal with the public, your clothes must be neat and not offensive to
anyone. If you do not work with the public, you can wear more informal clothes.
If you are very active, you will have to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Accessories such as handbags, scarves, jewellery,
belts and ties can be used to give clothes a sense of Budget
style and to make them interesting and fashionable.
• Buy the best quality you can afford.
Fashion accessories can complete a classic outfit.
• Your wardrobe should reflect quality rather than quantity.
Choose accessories according to your figure type. If you • Buy classic clothes that can be combined with accessories and other items as
are petite, avoid big designs, big bags and broad belts. your budget allows.
• If you have a mix-and-match wardrobe, you will be able to put together more
outfits with fewer pieces.
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Figure types Colour 2
• Choose clothing that compliments your figure type. • Your colour scheme should be based on colours that complement your

NOTES
features and skin tone.
• Emphasise your assets and conceal problem areas using dark colours.
• Lighter colours can make a figure appear larger.
• Classic straight leg trousers suit most figure types.
• Thinner people can look fuller when wearing bright/pale colours.
• Triangular/pear-shaped figure types should wear trousers and skirts that flare • Black/darker colours have a slimming effect as they make the covered area
out at the bottom. look smaller.
• Oval/apple-shaped figure types should avoid skirts and trousers with pleats • Overweight people can wear darker/duller colours to minimise particular areas.
at the waist.
• Bright colours draw attention and can be used to emphasise your best features
and divert attention from problem areas.
Personality
• Short people can appear taller by wearing one colour from head to toe.
• Choose styles and colours that suit your personality, but stay within the
parameters of the company's dress code.
Textures
• Consider fabric with a sheen (shiny/satiny finish) to create a more formal look
Values
for special occasions.
• Choose clothes that reflect your value system.
• High sheen fabrics, however, can make your figure look larger.
• Do not wear clothes that may offend others, e.g. avoid T-shirts with slogans
• Knitted fabrics are comfortable and allow ease of movement, but they can snag
or clothes that are too revealing.
and pull easily.

Design elements and principles can be Design principles

used to make the best of your body.

2: APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD OF WORK

• Emphasis can be used to draw attention to your good features
and to disguise problem areas. Colourful accessories can
brighten up a work outfit.
Design elements
Lines • Proportion has to do with the comparison of sizes, shape and
subdivision of space. The length of the garment must be in
• Lines can be used to create optic illusions. proportion with your height. You also have to consider if the size
• Vertical lines can make a person look taller and slimmer. of a handbag, hat, belt, the pockets and buttons on a garment is in proportion
to your size and height.
• A short, plump person can make use of these lines
to look slimmer. • If an outfit is well balanced, it creates a sense of harmony. Clothing should
have equal visual weight on both sides of a vertical middle line. The top and
• Horizontal lines make a person look wider and shorter. bottom part of the outfit should also be balanced.
• Tall, slim people can use these lines to appear fuller and shorter. • A sense of rhythm can be created in a garment through the repetition of
designs, colours, forms and textures.
• V-necks can also make a person look taller and slimmer.
There is harmony in a garment if all the design elements and principles
• Curved lines emphasise the body's outline. They complement thinner people, have been applied correctly. Clothing, accessories, hair styles and
but the fuller figure should be careful when wearing them. make-up should be combined to create a sense of unity.

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2 Steps in planning a basic wardrobe
Example of a basic working wardrobe
NOTES

• Significant life changes often present a good opportunity to plan a wardrobe,

like starting to work for the first time, or changing jobs.

• Starting to work for the first time means you have very little to spend on
clothing and you will need to apply good wardrobe planning techniques.

You can plan your wardrobe by taking the following steps:

1 Determine your needs

• Your clothing needs are determined
by your lifestyle.

• Everything you do - your social activities,

career, sport, travels, and any other facet of
your life - requires a certain type of clothing.

• If you plan your wardrobe according to your

lifestyle, you will have a well designed wardrobe Essential items for a woman's Essential items for a man's
with clothes that complement each other and working wardrobe working wardrobe
something to wear for every occasion.
Bottoms 2 in basic colours such Trousers 2 in basic colours such
2 Evaluate your existing wardrobe (skirts/trousers) as grey and black as grey and charcoal
2: APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD OF WORK

• Determine what you have in your wardrobe and what you wear Tops 4 : 1 white/beige Shirts 4: 1 white
frequently. 1 plain 1 plain
• To determine what you want to keep, take your career plans, personality 1 print 1 print
and lifestyle into account. (floral/striped) (floral/striped)
1 smart for special 1 smart for special
• Get rid of all clothing items that you no longer wear. occasions occasions

3 Examine your available resources Jackets 1 to match all the Jackets 1 to match both pairs of
bottoms trousers
• Clothes are expensive and fashions change every season.
Shoes 1 neat pair to wear with Shoes 1 black pair
• Your budget will determine what clothes you can buy. trousers and skirts

Accessories: Buy a couple of fashion Pullovers 1 sleeveless

4 Compile a list of items that would complement your current wardrobe
belts, scarves items 1 with sleeves
• Compare your work clothes to the example of a basic working wardrobe.
Handbags 1 of good quality Suit 1 in charcoal - suitable
• Make a list of the clothing items you need to complete the basic working matching your clothes for all seasons
wardrobe. This can help to avoid unnecessary purchases.
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 Items for a woman's working wardrobe Items for a man's working wardrobe Fair trade practices mean that people work under good, safe conditions 2
for different work functions for different work functions and are paid fairly. There is no child labour and labour and safety laws

NOTES
Blouse/shirt for special are adhered to.
Top 1 neat white shirt
occasions
The Fairtrade emblem on goods shows that fair trade
Black dress Neat pair of black leather shoes practices have been used.
Shoes suitable for evening wear Tie (depending on occasion) There are strict laws in South Africa protecting textile
Consider high sheen fabrics for a more workers against unfair trade practices and exploitation.
Formal coat - black or navy blue
formal look

Sustainable textiles

• Sustainable textiles were cultivated and manufactured in eco-friendly or

UNIT 3 environmentally friendly ways.

3: CONSUMER ISSUES REGARDING CLOTHING AND TEXTILES

• Renewable resources such as plants that require little water, but produce good
CONSUMER ISSUES REGARDING yields, are used to manufacture these textiles.

CLOTHING AND TEXTILES • Little or no chemicals are used in the cultivation of the plants and
the production of the textiles.

By using sustainable products, we can help protect the

The next unit deals with consumer issues regarding environment to keep it safe and healthy for the next generations.
clothing and textiles that have an impact on the
natural and economic environments. • Sustainable textiles can be organic or non-organic.

Organic textiles
ECO-FASHIONS AND THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF • No harmful pesticides or weed-killers are used when cultivating
organic textiles.
TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
• No bleaching agents or chemical colourants are used during the
• An eco-fashion is a 'green fashion' and it takes the environment and working
manufacturing process.
conditions of the people in the fashion industry as well as the health of
consumers into account. • Natural plant dyes are used to colour textiles so that workers are not exposed
to harmful toxic substances.
• Eco-fashions:
• Examples include:
 use organic raw materials and no harmful chemical colourants.
 organic cotton
 are often made from recycled or reused textiles.
 fibre made from seaweed combined with eco-friendly lyocell
 are durable for longer use.
Lyocell is manufactured
 make use of fair trade practices or ethical clothing practices during the from wood pulp.
production process.
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2 Non-organic textiles How can we contribute towards sustainability
• Non-organic textiles are manufactured from Even if a textile is
and leave a smaller carbon footprint?
NOTES

crops that can be planted and replanted non-organic it can

still be sustainable.
without damage to the soil. • Buy clothes that are made from sustainable textiles such as organic cotton
and silk.
• Few chemicals are used during cultivation in order to limit damage to the soil.
• Buy locally manufactured clothing. A lot of fuel is used to import goods and
• Examples include: this can increase the carbon footprint as carbon dioxide is emitted into the
atmosphere during combustion.
 Soya/soy fabrics - they are made Biodegradable means it can
from the pods of the soya beans. be broken down relatively • Buy clothes made from textiles that have been manufactured locally.
Soya beans are easy to cultivate quickly and easily by living This promotes our country's economy.
organisms, e.g. bacteria.
and are biodegradable.
• Recycle and reuse clothes and textiles.
 Bamboo fabrics - made from bamboo pulp. The bamboo plant grows
 Recycle
3: CONSUMER ISSUES REGARDING CLOTHING AND TEXTILES

quickly and does not need pesticides. Bamboo plants can be planted every
year. Very few chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. - Recycled polyester is made from melting
plastic bottles and spinning textile fibres for
 Hemp - the hemp plant grows extremely quickly and enriches the soil in which use in clothing, carpets, buttons and zip
it grows. Few agricultural chemicals are used and the yield is very high. fasteners.
- Non-woven textiles are reused as filling
 Silk - silkworms are cared for in an environmentally friendly way and no
material for upholstered furniture.
chemical colourants or bleaching agents are used to treat the silk during the
manufacturing process.  Reuse
 Fibres (e.g. mohair and wool) - animals are treated with care, live in good - Do not throw unused clothes away. Sell them to second-hand clothes
conditions and the hair/wool is not sheared under stressful conditions. No shops or donate them to a children's home, hospice (home for the
bleaching agents or chemical colourants are used during the manufacture terminally ill) or a welfare organisation.
of the textile. - Convert old clothes or fabric into new clothes or cut them up to make
rags/cleaning cloths.

Examples of non-sustainable practices in the Upcycling is when an old piece of clothing

manufacturing of textiles are: is taken apart to make a new item.
 the use of wood pulp to manufacture rayon.

 the use of oil (non-renewable) to manufacture

polyester, which is not biodegradable.

 the use of toxic colourants for cotton which

pollutes the soil and water resources.

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The positive impact of recycling and reusing
 Companies lose millions of rands every year as a result of these
illegal practices.
2
old clothes on the environment

NOTES
 Imitation goods are usually imported from countries like China and they are
sold in the informal sector at stalls, markets, street vendors and are even for
• Waste is reduced, because clothes are not thrown away and less space is
sale on the Internet.
needed for dump sites.
 It is difficult to stop/prevent trade in illegal trademark goods, mostly because
• Less waste products are generated because fewer textiles are produced. the suppliers smuggle them into the country in devious ways without the
This means less pollution and a smaller carbon footprint. knowledge of customs.

• Less water is used to manufacture textiles/clothes - thus saving water.

Imitation goods often make use of emblems that
are similar to the original brand's emblem. This can
• Less electricity/energy is used to manufacture textiles/clothes - thus saving be confusing and misleading to the consumer.
electricity and coal.

3: CONSUMER ISSUES REGARDING CLOTHING AND TEXTILES

The influence of piracy (illegal use) on The consequences of trademark piracy
legally protected brand names (trademarks) • It leads to losses of millions of rands for the manufacturers of registered
trademark goods.
• A brand name (trademark) is a symbol, word or name that
is used to identify a product and to distinguish it from • It has a negative effect on the reputation and image of the trademark.
similar products.
• It harms retailers selling the legal products, because consumers buy the
cheaper counterfeit goods.
• It is registered and may only be used by the manufacturer
or retailer.
• It leads to a loss in employment opportunities.

• It often has three elements, i.e. the name, a logo • Countries do not receive income tax on products entering the country and this
and a slogan. is detrimental to the economy.

• Coco Cola is the brand name of a specific

cool drink while Nike and Adidas are brand names
for sportswear.

• These brand names are recognised worldwide.

• Piracy of brand names is the illegal use of registered brand names or

trademarks and logos, as well as the imitation of labels, packaging or the
presentation of the product.

 Counterfeit goods are often badly designed and this can result in consumers
losing their trust in the brand.
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