Sustainable Fabrics

This article summarises and identifies the more sustainable fabrics available to minimise environmental risks through the production of fabrics in order to encourage ethical fashion. Cotton is a natural fibre but the production process involves harmful chemical and pesticides, Organic cotton aims to reduce the use of 'chlorine bleaches and synthetic dyes'
http://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/clothes/more-sustainable-fabrics


'What's the most sustainable fabric?' highlights the pros and cons of different fabrics including polyester and cotton and how to make those fabrics more sustainable. Also discussed is the idea of shopping v swapping in order to minimise textile waste. An environmental committee discovered that textile waste at landfill sites rose from seven to thirty % over the last five years. M&S are the leading innovators on the high street supporting the swapping ideology with their Shwopping campaign.
http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/clothing/268798/whats_the_most_sustainable_fabric.html


LAUNCH System 2013 offers a collaboration by NIKE, NASA and the U.S Agency for Development in an attempt to create new sustainable fabrics. The technology used by NASA and the retailing brain of NIKE look set to be a good partnership with the aid of the U.S Agency for Development, funding will be on their side and hopefully they will innovate new sustainable fabrics.
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2013/05/07/nike-joins-nasa-usaid-develop-sustainable-fabrics

SUSTAINABLE FABRICS

Organic Cotton:
-Relies on crop rotation
-Uses natural enemies- ladybirds
-No pollution
-More expensive to produce
-More difficult to spin
-Grown in approx 20 countries- Turkey is the primary producer
-Resistant to insects, needs less water
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/content/32/organic-cotton-fibre

http://www.organic-cotton.us/organic-cotton1.jpg

Hemp:
-4x stronger than cotton
-Hypo allergenic and non-irritating
-Softens with age
-Bast fibres
-World's most versatile fibre
-Can be blended with other fibres
-Enriches soil
http://www.sativabags.com/hemp_information/

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJ9-CwYKRQXsPdzgOWcwxghv6NjKqu4xRtIX2nxxRJ2eAryH-MHg

Bamboo:
-Fast growing
-Bast fibres
-Naturally converted into cellulose for processing into fibre
-No need for pesticides/chemicals to grow
-Naturally biodegradable
http://www.greenearthbamboo.com/Organic-Bamboo-Fabric-Facts-s/89.htm

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTHkGsaa9sgqu5nwp5bm_xjRHE2i5oMrn0etKoXOUqwIiRHy2fjsw

Soya:
-Renewable botanic protein fibre
-Moisture absorbing
-Slight sheen
-Dye's easily
-Can be blended with other fibres
-Derived from tofu waste
-Biodegradable
-Doesn't pollute
http://www.climateclothing.ca/why-wear-soybean-fabric.shtml