What does sustainable mean to you?  According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), Sustainable Consumption is defined as consumption that contributes to individual well being, and promotes the economic, environmental, and social goals of society. This does not necessarily mean consuming less, but to consume differently and more efficiently, while promoting an improved quality of life for the benefit of all.

This idea isn't new, but is now being embraced and adopted around the world.  It is clearly a movement of importance to all of us.  By choosing to live a sustainable lifestyle, you can help create and maintain a world that is environmentally protected, safe, and healthy for our children and for all generations to come. 

How You Can Make A Difference?
Decisions regarding what clothes and textile products you buy, how you care for them, and how you dispose of them----all have an impact.  Some of the sustainability considerations you should address before you make a purchase include:

• The raw materials used in making the garment/fabric.
• The processes used in developing the garment/fabric.  This includes the nature and impact of the chemicals used.
• The energy, water and other resources used in the developing the garment/fabric.
• How you need to care for and launder the garment/fabric.
• Disposal of the garment/fabric after it is no longer usable, or wanted.

Buying Awareness
Keep in mind that the most sustainable products are not necessarily those that are natural.  How natural fibers and materials are grown, watered, fertilized, chemically sprayed and processed may significantly diminish their sustainability.  Therefore, it is important to understand the full process of how textile fibers and fabrics are made and manufactured.

Also, keep in mind that there are degrees and mixtures of good and bad in many manufacturing processes.  For example, textile fibers or fabrics that are made from recycled material, use less energy, less water or use less harmful chemicals, and are more sustainable choices than those that don't.  Therefore, by making sustainability a factor in what you buy, you put pressure on manufacturers to become more sustainable in their products.  And, by becoming more sustainable in your purchasing habits, you'll also have an influence on fashion.

 

Sustainability in Fibers:
Renewability of a Fibers:  This includes items made from natural materials that can be replenished in a relatively short period of time.  You can learn more about the characteristics and end uses of these fibers by following the link or visiting Fabric University.

• Bamboo
• Cotton
• Hemp
• Linen
• Ramie
• Seaweed
• Silk
• Soy
• Other Plant Fibers: Abaca, Banana, Pineapple
• Hair Fibers:  Angora; Camel Family: Camel, Alpaca, Llama & Vicuna; Cashmere; Mohair; Wool
• Manufactured Fibers from Natural Materials:  Acetate, Lyocell, PLA (corn polymer), Rayon

Examples of Sustainable Products
Many manufacturers have begun the move toward sustainability.  Some examples of sustainable fibers and yarns are listed below.  For further information, follow this link to search the Trademark or check the product link below.

• Green Line™ by Antex - New line of organic cotton knit fabrics by Antex Knitting Mills
• Body Care® Bamboo - Fabric made from refined bamboo pulp, which provides comfort qualities
• DuPont™ Sorona® - Fiber made from naturally renewable corn starch, providing comfort, stretch, and recovery properties, and a variety of performance qualities
• EcoSpun® - Polyester fiber made from recycled plastic bottles; variety of performance qualities
• Consoltex's Earthwhile™ - Performance fabrics made from a combination of organic and recycled materials
• Ingeo® - a polymer fiber made with 100% renewable corn, which provides the look and feel of a natural fiber.
• Innova - Innova® yarns are the only yarns, synthetic or natural, that begin as a by-product of post-industrial waste.
• Repreve® - An eco-friendly yarn made from recycled materials
• Recyclon™ - A new nylon fiber made from post-industrial recycled nylon, which uses only 15% of the production energy required to for virgin nylon fiber from petroleum
• Dri-Release®Bamboo - Performance yarn made from a patented microblend of natural and synthetic fibers; further enhanced through the use of bamboo
• Dri-Release® SeaCell® - Performance yarn that combines a unique combination of cellulose and seaweed with integrated silver ions for soothing skin protection and permanent antimicrobial properties
• Lyocell/Tencel® - An environmentally friendly cellulosic fiber that provides softness, durability, and moisture absorption qualities
• Cocona™ - A fiber embedded with activated charcoal from coconut shells that provides moisture management, odor control, and UV protection.

Laundry Awareness

Before you buy, check the care instructions on the garment label.

• About 70% of the energy involved with the making and life of a piece of apparel is related to the laundering of that garment.  So how you launder your clothes has a significant impact on the environment.
• Environmentally friendly detergents, no phosphates
• Green stain treatments
• Green dry cleaning

Recycling Awareness, Examples

• Donate old clothing to Goodwill, Salvation Army, churches, missions, charities, etc.
• Make rags for cleaning
• Give to a recycling program (see links below)

Links To Sustainabilty
Find ways to recycle and reuse your old and outdated fabrics:

• Recycle Clothing Using Your Sewing Skills

• Recycling Textiles

• Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program

• Recycle Clothing and Textiles

• Buy Recycled Textile Products

 

Organizations

These organizations support sustainability efforts and provide ideas and ways to participate.

• Center for Resource Solutions
• Center for New American Dream
• Co-Op America
• Envirolink
• Sustainable Cotton Project
• Outdoor Industry Association

 

Share Your Sustainability Story or Idea

Have a sustainability story or idea? Let Us Know and we will share the best.

 

Talk About Sustainability In Fabricville

Join the fun and move into Fabricville. There's a forum just for discussing Sustainability!

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