The Potential of Natural Dyes to Reduce Environmental Pollution

Abstract

This final year project examines the issue of a sustainable use of tea leaf as natural dye on cotton and nylon cloth supported by milk as a natural mordant. The study is called, The Potential of Natural Dyes to Reduce Environmental Pollution and will prove that a more environmentally friendly dyeing process can be executed and induce the limited use of chemicals, the minimization of the toxicity of wastewater and the minimization of environmental degradation that is normally attributed to the use of synthetic dyes. The project is driven by the increasing demand of sustainable textile industry. Although synthetic dyes are used in most businesses, they are an ecological and health menace. On the contrary, natural dyes are biodegradable, renewable and safer to the individuals concerned in the work and to the consumers. Greater availability of tea waste as well as their coloring capacity made tannin and polyphenol rich wastes to be chosen as the raw material to conduct an investigation on the chemical composition and applicability as aesthetic value adders. Protein, milk included casein, was used as a natural mordant to enhance dye attachment to cellulosic and synthetic fiber. There were several steps in the study that incorporates extraction of dyes, use of mordant, dyeing of fabrics and fastness testing. To determine the effectiveness of natural dyeing to various types of materials, comparative performance analysis of cotton (natural fiber) and nylon (synthetic fiber) were carried out. The outcome was evaluated by color strength, presence of equality in color and rubbing and swiftness to wash and rub. The project emphasizes the value maximization of the already wasted tea-leaves and milk by using them creatively to create a high-value texti-le application, which helps derive pollution-free industrial processes and translate to a circular economy. In this study, multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are supported, including responsibilities in consumption, clean water, and climate action. This project not only has given a sustainable alternative of dyeing, but also can lead to further research and development in production of eco- textiles thus laying a solid foundation in future research and development.