(http://www.ecofashiontalk.com/2016/07/4-eco-friendly-alternatives-to-commonly-used-textiles/
APPENDIX VI: Eco Friendly Alternatives
4 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Commonly Used Textiles
With sustainability efforts on the
rise, more and more options are becoming available for designers looking to
start an eco-friendly label, or for those shifting to their first sustainable
collection. From plants to fish, below are a few of the many natural
alternatives now available to replace harmful synthetic fabrics.
As sustainability continues to be the
focal topic of discussion in all things textiles, more and more options are
becoming available to designers looking to start an eco-friendly label, or for
those shifting to their first sustainable collection. From plants to fish,
below are a few of the many natural alternatives now available to replace
harmful synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.
Hemp – Hemp is one of
the oldest domesticated crops known to man. It has been used for paper,
textiles, and cordage for thousands of years, dating back to as early as 8,ooo
BC. Hemp is categorized as a bast – a strong woody fiber obtained chiefly from
the phloem of a plant, which grows on the outside of the plant’s stalk.
Unlike many fibers used in today’s
apparel industry, hemp is grown without the use of harmful chemicals,
pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. It is also a high-yield crop that grows
very rapidly and with little irrigation (50% less than cotton), making it a
very appealing and “clean” option for designers. Other benefits of hemp:
tensile strength and durability (8x that of cotton), hypoallergenic,
breathable, and UV resistant.
It is no wonder that Stella
McCartney, Calvin Klein and a host of other labels now use the fiber in their
apparel, with many others quickly catching on. Hemp can be used to make many
products, including jeans, shirts, dresses, hats and bags.
Fish Leather – Fish
leather is a great alternative to traditional hides. It is made from the
skin of different fish species, such as salmon, perch and carp. These fish
species are regularly consumed, and the skins would often be wasted otherwise.
Fish skins are considered exotic and serve as a great substitute to the typical
exotic leathers like as crocodile and snake that threaten endangered species.
The tanning process of fish skins
uses far less chemicals than that of other animal skins, eliminating things
like lye and acid that cause atmospheric pollution. They are very durable and
their texture depends on the size and shape of the scale pockets, which can
vary from 2mm to 2cm in size according to the species.
Fish leather is ideal for
accessories, commonly used to make purses, wallets, jewelry and shoes. Major
brands like Prada, Dior and Nike have all found ways to incorporate this
material into their collections.
Tencel
– Tencel® is a natural fiber known for its flattering drape and
soft, luxurious hand-feel. It is the brand name for a fabric from a fiber
generically called lyocell, which is owned by Lenzing Fibers of Austria.
Lyocell is made from the wood pulp of
the eucalyptus tree. The fiber is produced with minimal impact on the
environment – using a non-toxic solvent that is continually recycled during the
production process – and economical use of energy and water. Further,
eucalyptus requires fewer pesticides and far less acreage to grow than cotton,
thus it is much more eco-friendly.
The fabric made from Lyocell is
breathable and naturally wrinkle-resistant, making it a favorable material
among major fashion brands like Patagonia, Banana Republic and L.L. Bean.
Flax – Flax is one of
the most promising developments in sustainable textiles today. While most flax
is grown and harvested for its grain and turned into food, its fiber can also
be transformed into materials that look and feel similar to cotton.
Flax fibers come from the flax plant
and are usually used to make linen, which is known to be one of the world’s
strongest and most durable natural fibers. The bast fiber is one of the oldest
agricultural crops in the world and is naturally pest-resistant. It also
requires very little fertilization and chemicals to thrive, and little to no
irrigation. The fact that every part of a flax plant is used makes it all the
more eco-friendly.
Because of its tensile strength and
breathability, along with its cool touch, linen is great for everything from
apparel to bedding and various other interior textiles.
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