Elliptical and lenticular galaxies are often thought of as ‘red and dead’. However, hierarchical mergers are likely to leave traces of the process of galaxy evolution. We have investigated this question using a complete sample of galaxies. I will introduce the survey data that we are using and present results for the largest sample of early-type-galaxies in the local Universe. We have made a complete assessment of their dust characteristics covering all galaxies in the survey areas down to r-band absolute magnitudes of Mr > -17.4 (similar to the SMC), and as a function of environment. The unexpected results found will be presented and contrasted with what is going on in the nearby Virgo cluster, for early-type galaxies.