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How to choose your fabric in an eco-friendly way?

Julie Therrien

 

For several years now, climate change has become a growing concern. We are increasingly aware of the urgency of adopting an eco-responsible lifestyle, and the world of fashion is no exception. Did you know that what sets NO NO YES From other fabric stores, is its concern to offer environmentally friendly products? Indeed, the store favors natural fibers and eco-friendly fabrics. To make informed choices, it is important to know what we are buying. 

 

Some examples of fibers to choose

 

Linen: The noble and ecological fiber

The lin is one of the oldest and most durable fabrics in the world. Its cultivation requires very little water, no artificial irrigation, or pesticides. Moreover, all parts of the flax plant are used, reducing waste. Linen is also Hypoallergenic Biodegradable, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious individuals.

 

Organic cotton: Softness guaranteed

The Organic cotton Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Farmers adopt environmentally friendly agricultural practices, resulting in a reduction of soil, water, and air pollution. In addition to being soft to the touch, organic cotton is fully biodegradable, making it a sustainable choice for everyday clothing.

 

Lyocell TENCEL®: An innovative and eco-friendly alternative

The Lyocell TENCEL® is a specific variant of Lyocell produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. The Lyocell from the brand TENCEL® Lyocell is a fiber produced from wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests, such as FSC-certified plantations. The production process of TENCEL® Lyocell is closed-loop, which means that the solvent is recovered and reused over 99%. This significantly reduces water and energy consumption compared to traditional viscose. The Lyocell TENCEL® is also biodegradable and very gentle on the skin, making it an ideal option for people with allergies. This fiber is classified in the category of artificial fabrics.

 

Viscose ECOVERO: One step closer to eco-responsibility

The Viscose Ecovero TENCE is a type of eco-friendly and sustainable viscose manufactured once again by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. This viscose was developed as a more environmentally friendly alternative. Its production uses a more sustainable manufacturing process, with a significant reduction in carbon emissions and water consumption compared to conventional viscose. According to Lenzing AG, the production of Ecovero viscose generates up to 50% less carbon emissions and uses about 50% less water.

 

Why choose natural and/or eco-friendly fibers over synthetic fibers?

You may have noticed that some fibers are not sold here NO NO YES. Even though polyester fabrics, for example, may seem attractive, especially due to their lower cost, they are often less comfortable, less durable, and much more harmful to the environment. Indeed, their production requires a lot of water and oil. The toxic gases emitted during their production can be harmful to the health of those who manufacture them. Once in our drawers, these synthetic fibers continue to pollute during washing, as they release microplastic particles that can reach the oceans. The same goes for the end of their life during decomposition. By choosing a natural or eco-friendly fiber such as organic fleece Instead of choosing a synthetic fleece, for example, we opt for a fiber that has been produced with better respect for the environment and will not produce microplastics polluting throughout its life. When our budget allows, turning to natural or eco-friendly fibers becomes an obvious choice. That being said, the production of some natural fibers can also be harmful to the environment if certain measures are not taken during their production. For this reason, it is preferable to choose fabrics certifying a certain control during manufacturing such as Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, organic fabrics, or even better, GOTS certified fabrics, which the store also prioritizes.

 

 

Fabrics certified Oeko-Tex

When it comes to manufacturing clothing, among other things, it is important to look for fabrics that contain at least Oeko-Tex certification. This guarantees consumers that a control has been carried out during the fabric manufacturing process to ensure that it does not contain any chemicals harmful to human health such as pesticides, carcinogenic dyes, or heavy metals. The absence of pesticides in the production of these fabrics makes them a better choice for the environment.

 

Organic fabrics

In addition to guaranteeing consumers that the fibers do not contain any harmful products for health and the environment, organic fabrics are composed of natural fibers that have been grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Their production therefore requires less water and causes fewer greenhouse gases than the production of regular cotton, for example. Since these fibers have not undergone any other chemical transformation than dyeing, they are generally more durable and softer to the touch. 

 

 

Fabrics certified GOTS

GOTS certified fabrics represent the best choice because, in addition to possessing the characteristics of fabrics made from organic fibers, they include ethical considerations for workers and environmentally friendly manufacturing throughout the production chain. In other words, by purchasing these fabrics, you ensure that they have been produced under adequate working conditions, that no person, including children, has been exploited, and that workers have received a decent wage to produce them. WARNING! Fabric stores are not allowed to use the GOTS certification on their website, as the license belongs to the wholesaler who sells the fabrics. However, please note that the majority of organic fabrics at NON NON OUI do have this certification.

 

All in all, it is important to make informed choices when it comes time to buy our fabrics. With all the time we put into our creations, it is necessary that the products sewn by our hands are of better quality and much more durable than what can be found in big box stores. When it comes time to place a new order, if I can do my part, it is an obvious choice for me to turn to the fabrics offered. NON NON OUI!

 

Sources used:

https://youmiwi.com/blogs/youmiwi/pourquoi-preferer-les-fibres-naturelles-aux-fibres-synthetiques

https://www.marques-de-france.fr/definition/oeko-tex/



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