Course Title: Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: EASC5049C

Course Title: Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

School: 350T Fashion & Textiles

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C4219 - Certificate IV in Fashion and Textiles Merchandising

Course Contact : Katrina Rose

Course Contact Phone: 9925 9138

Course Contact Email:katrina.rose@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Lucy Adam    lucy.adam@rmit.edu.au

ph - 9925 9421

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit covers the outcomes required to effectively analyse the workplace in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSAENV272B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Element:

1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise.
1.2 Assess procedures for assessing compliance with environmental regulations.
1.3 Collect information on environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures, and provide to the work group where appropriate.
1.4 Measure and record current resource usage by members of the work group.
1.5 Analyse and record current purchasing strategies.
1.6 Analyse current work processes to access information and data and assist in identifying areas for improvement.

 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise.
1.2 Assess procedures for assessing compliance with environmental regulations.
1.3 Collect information on environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures, and provide to the work group where appropriate.
1.4 Measure and record current resource usage by members of the work group.
1.5 Analyse and record current purchasing strategies.
1.6 Analyse current work processes to access information and data and assist in identifying areas for improvement.

Element:

2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialist.
2.2 Access external sources of information and data as required.
2.3 Evaluate alternative solutions to workplace environmental and ethical issues.
2.4 Set efficiency targets.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialist.
2.2 Access external sources of information and data as required.
2.3 Evaluate alternative solutions to workplace environmental and ethical issues.
2.4 Set efficiency targets

Element:

3.1 Source techniques/tools to assist in achieving targets.
3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area of responsibility and communicate ideas and possible solutions to the work group and management.
3.3 Integrate environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans for own work group and other operational activities and implement them.
3.4 Seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from stakeholders and act upon them where appropriate.
3.5 Implement costing strategies to fully value environmental assets.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Source techniques/tools to assist in achieving targets.
3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area of responsibility and communicate ideas and possible solutions to the work group and management.
3.3 Integrate environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans for own work group and other operational activities and implement them.
3.4 Seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from stakeholders and act upon them where appropriate.
3.5 Implement costing strategies to fully value environmental assets.

Element:

4.1 Document outcomes and communicate reports on targets to key personnel and stakeholders.
4.2 Evaluate strategies.
4.3 Set new targets and investigate and apply new tools and strategies.
4.4 Promote successful strategies and reward participants where possib

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Document outcomes and communicate reports on targets to key personnel and stakeholders.
4.2 Evaluate strategies.
4.3 Set new targets and investigate and apply new tools and strategies.
4.4 Promote successful strategies and reward participants where possib

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of learning activities including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, group activities, work sheets, analysis of case studies, research and report writing. 


Teaching Schedule

Week 1:
Introduction to unit, course guide, assessment requirements.
Group activity – in small groups list all the things you do in your everyday life home/work that you think are sustainable. Define what you think sustainability is. Definitions are presented to class by groups.
Watch – The story of stuff and complete questionnaire
Homework – Calculate your ecological footprint - How many planets do you need to sustain your lifestyle?
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/globalfootprint/index.asp
 
Week 2:
What is an ecological footprint – in small groups discuss findings and List 3 things you could change to reduce your footprint.
What’s driving sustainability? International and local agendas
Group activity – envision the future. 30 years from now (2043). Probable and preferable, discuss with class
 

Week 3:
Ethics & Fashion Production a Global Perspective
Film: China Blue + Discussion
Human Rights and Workers Rights Issues in the industry
Fairtrade principles, CSR models, People, Planet, Profit, Cradle to Cradle principles, Product stewardship,


Week 4:
Ethics & Fashion Production in Australia, Auditing for Ethics

Week 5: PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Week 6:
Fibres & sustainability – devils in disguise
Manufactured fibres, Natural Fibres and Fibre ‘alternatives’.
New textiles and Fabric Technologies.


Week 7:
Life cycle assessment.
In small groups apply life cycle thinking for different objects.


Week 8:
Group allocation of topics for presentations, group topic and planning research, scheduled library time


Week 9:
Group topic and planning research, scheduled library time


Week 10:
Film: Wasteland - Reduce, reuse and recycle (+ rethink)
Waste management strategies, waste disposal & resource efficiency issues.
The global textile recycling chain.
Precycling, packaging & Design strategies

Week 11:
dentify resource use in own area: List all resources you use in your work area, describe, how they are used, in what quantities, consider waste and disposal.
Visualisation activity: How does sustainability work in your industry? Imagine an organisation in your industry, What would it look like? What would people be doing? What is best practice in your industry? What are the drivers, barriers and opportunities to change?
 

Week 12:
Develop an action plan: Using environmental management strategies develop plans to improve environmental practices in your working environment. This includes identifying areas for improvement and details about how your action plan is implemented
This is an group activity

Week 13:
Presentations: Innovation in production
Fair Trade Principles
Corporate Social Responsibility

Week 14:
Presentations:
Big retail scan – corporate giants making a difference
Rethinking Fast – slow fashion/slow design


Week 15:
Presentations:
Packaging and design strategies
Life cycle analysis
Global Textile recycling chain

Week 16:
Ethical fashion organisations
Cradle to cradle principles
Local retail scan

*Please note this weekly schedule is subject to change


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Recommended text: Sustainable Fashion & Textiles Design Journeys, Kate Fletcher
Recommended text: Eco-chic the fashion paradox, Sandy Black
Slow Living, Craig & Parkins
Sustainable Fashion: Why Now? Janet Hethorn & Connie Ulasewicz
Designers, visionaries & other stories, A collection of sustainable design essays, Jonathan Chapman & Nick Grant


Overview of Assessment

Detailed course and assessment requirements and information will be made available to you first week of class. Specific details will be explained to you during scheduled classes.

This course comprises both practical and theory components. You will be expected to attend and participate in class activities.

As well as class activities you will be required to undertake research and assessment practice outside of regular class times and participate in formal assessment tasks.

PLEASE NOTE: work that has not been authenticated during class as your own work will not be considered for assessment.

All assignments and tasks must be completed to be deemed competent.

Referencing must follow RMIT University regulations.


Assessment Tasks

There are 3 assessment tasks in thuis unit course:

1. Media article on a current sustainability issue  - 20%

2. Action Plan - 30%

3. Group presentation - 50%

You are also required to keep a weekly journal, jot down points of interest to you, personal reflections, notes on presentations, reflections on sustainable events at Melbourne fashion festival, articles from newspapers/magazines. You are encouraged to do as much research on sustainable practice as practicable.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Study and learning Support:
Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to all RMIT students.
Services offered by SLC to support numeracy and literacy skills of the students are:
- Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
- Maths and science developmental support and advice
- English language development
Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre to find more information about Study and Learning Support.


Disability Liaison Unit:
Students with disability or long-term medical condition should contact Disability Liaison Unit to seek advice and support to complete their studies.
Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/disability to find more information about services offered by Disability Liaison Unit.


Late submission:
Students requiring extensions for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager.
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. The student will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgement as to whether the extension has been granted.
Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Assignments submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked.

Special consideration:
Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=riderwtscifm to find more information about special consideration.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University.
Please refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview