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Posts Tagged ‘organic fabric’

Organic fabrics vs Organic fibers

Tanya Crossman

Tanya Crossman

In two recent posts we gave a brief introduction to the use of organic fabrics. Now let’s muddy the waters! Certifcation of organic fibers means the cotton/wool/etc that came from the farmer was organic – no chemical pesticides, livestock raised according to organic standards, etc.

However, we all know that there is a lot of processing between raw wool or cotton bols and the fabrics clothing is made from. It is possible to take organic fibers and then process them with chemicals before clothing is produced.

Here’s a quote from O Ecotextiles which helps explain this better:

The market is absolutely rife with claims about organic cotton – and believe me, I have absolutely nothing against organic cotton.  But the focus (by marketers and consumers alike) is that if it’s made of organic cotton, then the product is sustainable.  That’s far from the truth.  We like to use the analogy of  “organic applesauce” – that is, if you take organic apples, then cook them with preservatives, emulsifiers, Red Dye #2, stabilizers and any number of other additives – do you end up with organic applesauce?  Just like bread – which is made from wheat which is grown (maybe organically), harvested, ground into flour, mixed with milk, yeast, salt and maybe other things, then baked – fabric undergoes the same type of transformation.

So the certifications which are often found on fabrics may only pertain to the FIBER, and not to the processing.  What they mean is the fabric started out with organic fibers – but the processing, like the organic applesauce mentioned above, results in fabric that contains a high proportion, by weight, of synthetic chemicals (such as lead or mercury, formaldehyde, chlorine, or phthalates).

(see the full post here)

The world of organic fabrics is complicated, to say the least! If this is something you are looking to pursue, have a look at the links posted on the O Ecotextiles site – it’s a good place to start your research.

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Posted in : Organic Fabrics, Textile Industry

The downside of organic fabrics

Previously we took a quick look at some of the most common organic fabrics available. Now we look at some of the downsides in using organic fabrics.

Price

The biggest downside of organic fabrics is price. It costs more to produce organic fibers than to produce inorganic fibers. Certification is required, which costs money. Producing organic fibers is more time intensive, which raises labor costs. To produce organic wool, the livestock must be raised according to organic standards, meaning more land is needed per animal.

The question for clothing retailers is whether or not their target consumers are willing to pay for organic fabrics. If your target demographic is environmentally conscious and has enough disposable income to spend extra on a preferred product, organic may be the right choice for you.

Certification

If you are charging a higher price for organic textiles, you are responsible to confirm that your product is, in fact, organic.

There are strict national and international codes of practice in place for farmers who apply for organic certification. Farmers who sell organic fibers must adhere to exacting standards that stipulate that the soil as well as animals used for the growth of organic fibers must not be exposed to toxic herbicides, fertilizers, fungicides or insecticides. In the case of wool, in order for it to be certified organic, it needs to be created in accordance with strict standards for the management of organic livestock

It’s a simple sales principle – you need to back up your claims. To claim you have organic products, the fibers you are purchasing must be certified by an internationally recognised certification board. A highly respected standard for organic textiles is the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).

If you choose to go the organic route with your textile products, be prepared to put the time, energy and money into acquiring a trustworthy certified product and proving your claims to consumers. You may want to consider hiring a trusted agency to help do the legwork for you.

Organic fabrics are becoming more readily available and interest in/demand for them is growing, particularly in western countries. If “eco-friendly” describes your target consumers, consider moving into organics – it may give you a leg-up.

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Posted in : Organic Fabrics, Textile Industry

An Introduction to Organic Fabrics

As consumers have become increasingly interested in environmental conservation, interest in organic products is growing. Organic food is becoming more mainstream, and organic fabrics are also gaining more attention.

At Imports Oriental we have been looking into organic fabrics for several years now. Organic fabrics are textiles that use organically cultivated fibers. These are fibers that have not been exposed to harmful pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other agricultural procedures and substances which can negatively impact the environment.

Here’s a quick look at a few common organic fibers.

Wool

For most people, wool is the first organic fiber that springs to mind. Wool is hypoallergenic and extremely resistant not only to bacteria, but also to mildew and mold, which are common allergy triggers. Wool is a natural fire retardant; firefighters wear wool for this reason. Unlike synthetic fibers, wool will not ignite when exposed to open flame. For wool to be certified organic, the animals producing it must be raised in accordance with standards for the management of organic livestock.

Organic Cotton

The most common organic fiber used by textile manufacturers is cotton. Organic cotton fiber production creates a small carbon footprint; not only is it biodegradable, the wastage residue during the manufacturing process is less than ten percent.

Organic cotton retains the characteristics of regular cotton – such as wash-and-wear properties, durability, and moisture absorption – and also resists dust mites. Hypoallergenic properties make it relatively safe for people with sensitive allergic conditions such as asthma, skin allergies or dust allergies.

Organic Bamboo

Yes, you can make fabric out of bamboo. The bamboo is pulped and used to make fabric. It produces more fabric per acre than traditional fibers. Bamboo textiles are also biodegradable.

Bamboo textiles have many advantages over cotton. Bamboo takes less water to dye than other textiles, and no chemicals are needed to aid the dyeing process. Bamboo textiles are soft to the touch and inherently antibacterial. The fabric absorbs moisture well, but dries twice as fast as cotton. Organic bamboo textiles are not bleached with chlorine.

Organic Hemp

Hemp fabric is not widely used in the apparel industry due to the association with marijuana, but it is a legitimate alternative fabric. Hemp fabric offers greater UV protection than many other textiles, and can be recycled when it has outlived its usefulness.

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Posted in : Organic Fabrics, Textile Industry

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