Green-washing Alert: What is Bamboo Fabric, and is it Sustainable?

With pollution and climate change on the rise, people are trying to be mindful of our resources. We’ve sounded the alarm too many times, and it seems that now is the time to change our destructive habits before it’s too late. Many brands have responded to the cry for help, but some unscrupulous brands are taking advantage of the situation. They merely see sustainability as a trend or a label they can plaster everywhere to increase sales. The worst part is that some of them don’t even change their production to fit into the sustainability category but just label their product as such. Let’s find out what greenwashing is and why bamboo is not sustainable in the fashion industry…

Bamboo…

bamboo trees during day
Bamboo Are A Sustainable.

Lately, we’ve been experiencing a real bamboo craze. We have toothbrushes, straws, and even cutlery made of bamboo. The reason for this new obsession is that bamboo is a very sustainable material…. but does the same applies to bamboo fabrics?

Did you know that the textile industry is one of the top five most polluting industries in the world? People are rushing to find solutions to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly and reduce its impact on the environment, but some brands take advantage of this situation to increase their profit margins.

Greenwashing…

If you’ve never heard of greenwashing, let me introduce you to the concept. Brands that claim to be sustainable, but are only partially sustainable, or not at all, engage in greenwashing. Environmental issues give our marketers ideas; terms like “green”, “eco,” or even “natural” are thrown at any product to increase sales. Do some customers believe that something that is natural is automatically sustainable, but is this really the case?

Is Bamboo Eco-friendly?

Bamboo fiber Raw Bamboo Fibre, for Textile Spinning,Yarn, Packaging Type: Loose, Rs 500 /kg | ID: 21391530997

Brands that use bamboo rely on true facts: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant, as it grows up to ninety centimeters per day, and it also removes pollutants from the soil and purifies the air. However, all manufacturers have pounced on this material, leading to great demand and the destruction of bamboo forests- not something that is sustainable in any sense of the word. 

Bamboo is one of the biggest businesses in China, worth more than $60 billion. Research has shown that bamboo is not grown or harvested ethically, defeating the whole project from the get-go.

If the harvesting is unsustainable, what of the production side of things? There are two ways of producing textiles from bamboo: bamboo rayon and closed-loop.

Bamboo rayon is not sustainable at all, and producing it resembles the way synthetic fibers are made. A lot of energy and chemicals are used in its production, and there is so little bamboo in the final product that it cannot be called sustainable.

Closed-loop is closer to the sustainable side. Ethical companies try to replace toxic chemicals with much less toxic ones. It’s not perfect, but it’s better.

Should You Buy Bamboo Fabric?

I guess you’re all waiting for a clear and direct answer, but I don’t know. I would have waited until I was sure the raw material was grown and harvested sustainably, but if you want to try it out as is, that’s fine, and I have some tips for you.

When buying, try to ask the seller about the fabric to avoid buying bamboo rayon or bamboo viscose. Pay attention to the production method and look for the closed-loop production process used to make the Lyocell bamboo fabric. Ensure there are fair trade certifications and that the bamboo producer is organic (look for FSC certification).

Sustainable production of fabric has a long way to go, so we will have to be patient. Let us know in the comments what you think of bamboo fabrics…

24
Mar, 2021

How to Wash and Care for Your Organic Clothes? (Part 2)

Despite not being such a fun practice, doing the laundry is indeed indispensable. Believe it or not, this action significantly impacts your economy since washing clothes is wasting electricity, water, and natural resources. You should know that some of the soaps or detergents that you use are likely to be the primary pollutants for our environment. That is why it is crucial to reduce these products’ consumption without affecting the home’s hygiene. To achieve this, we give you some tips that can help you wash your clothes more ecologically. If you haven’t yet read the first part of this blog, check it out now!

 

Separate and Classify the Clothes

6 Hilarious Laundry Mishaps We've All Experienced At Least Once – The Daily Crisp

Separate the garments by the washing temperature, by color, or by their composition. If you want your sustainable clothes to last longer, make sure not to mix the colors and turn them over before putting them in the washing machine, which will protect them better. Separate delicate garments and save non-woven items such as zippers, buttons, decoration details. Imagine a garment with a zip along with your delicates. I advise you that this garment goes in a special bag for washing. Also, if you have outfits (pyjamas, underwear, etc.) I recommend that you wash them together to prevent one part from wearing more than the other.

 

Remove and Treat Stains Before Washing

How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes, Step by Step With Pictures | Apartment Therapy

Put a garment with a stain in the washing machine and remove it stained again. Who has not happened? I recommend that you make sure to remove the stain before putting it to wash for the wash to be really effective. You can try soaking the garment with baking soda, vinegar or applying a few drops of lemon (if it is white clothing).

 

Wash With Cold Water, 30º or With an Eco Program

Whenever you can, use cold water. Hot water causes fabrics to wear out prematurely, and garments lose color and may shrink. If you wash at a low temperature, you will save energy, and also, the clothes will need less iron.

 

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Safe to Use? • Everyday Cheapskate

Quantity is not always quality. Use the detergent as recommended by the manufacturer. More detergent does not always equal more cleaning. Excess detergent and fabric softener in garments dry out the fibers, stiffen the fabric, and reduce life. The fabric softener can be easily substituted for apple or white cider vinegar. It does not leave an odor on clothes. There are many ecological and natural detergents, such as Marcella soap or Lagarto soap for the detergent. These use components of plant origin. They are made with biodegradable materials and without chemical elements which do not pollute the environment. If you are trying to dress sustainably and with clothes made with ecological fabrics, why use chemical detergents? Don’t use bleach is very aggressive, especially with organic cotton garments.

 

Avoid Using the Dryer

Personally, I do not have a dryer, and I have never missed it since the best option is to hang the clothes inside out and in the open air – never directly in the sun. Since on sweltering summer days, the intense sun rays damage the color and the fibers, producing minor burns that are not perceived until the garment is broken. This is especially noticeable in fabrics with elastane, lycra, or elastic bands that lose their elasticity.

 

Iron Little and Only the Clothes That Need It

How to iron clothes properly - how to iron a shirt

Opt for hanging your clothes with hairpins or hooks instead of ironing. If you still have a garment a little wrinkled, a trick is to hang it on a hook in the bathroom while you shower. You will see how the water vapor works miracles. For dress shirts, there is no choice but to iron them. In this case, wait until you have a few items to do it at once. Very wrinkled organic cotton garments sometimes require steam while ironing. In this case, fill the tank of your iron with distilled water. You will avoid filling the garment with lime, and your iron will last longer in perfect condition.

 

I hope that with these tips you take good care of all your clothes without harming the environment.

 

11
Sep, 2020

7 Handy Tips to Slay in Planet-Friendly Apparels

Almost everyone is hooked on cheap and shabby clothes. All thanks to cheap manufacturing in underdeveloped countries and the rapid rise of fashion, clothing has shifted from valuable goods to disposable items that we throw away at the end of the season.

The rate at which our environment is being destroyed by corporations and big business is indeed very alarming. And as consumers, one of the best ways we can help combat this catastrophic issue is by making more eco-conscious choices a part of our daily lives. Simple things, such as switching to environmentally friendly clothing, can significantly influence our planet. For example, producing a single cotton shirt uses 2,700 liters of water.

And let’s face it, we all wear and buy new clothes regularly, so why not ensure your love for fashion also shows your passion for the earth? Keep reading to learn how to find clothing that’s planet-friendly!

#1. Say No To Real Leather

Real leather is not only harmful to animals, but it’s also not environmentally friendly. To make animal skin into leather, it has to go through an extensive process that uses many chemicals and energy (not to mention that animal agriculture as an industry has a large carbon footprint!). Opt for vegan leather when purchasing items.

#2. Choose Sustainable Fabrics

One of the best ways to cultivate an ecological wardrobe is by buying clothing made of sustainable fabrics. As mentioned above, cotton uses a ton of water and also large amounts of pesticides. This has a more considerable impact on the environment than other types of material. Opt for clothing made from linen, hemp, or even bamboo. Linen comes from flax, and besides using far fewer resources to manufacture than traditional cotton, it’s also able to be composted.

Hemp is easy to grow and doesn’t require a lot of pesticides or fertilizer. Hemp is also diverse and can be made into a wide variety of fabrics. Bamboo is great because it also used no pesticides and is fast growing. 

#3. Clothing Swaps

Another great way to get your hands on recycled clothing is by hosting a clothing swap. Make a Facebook event and invite all your friends to bring a bag of unwanted clothing. Most of us tend to have lots of clothing lying around that isn’t being worn, and clothing swaps are an excellent way to eliminate these items without throwing them away. Plus, you never know what fabulous clothing you’ll get from your friend to add to your wardrobe. After your clothing swap is over, collect all the remaining items, and consider donating them to a local charity.

#4. Embrace Second Hand

In Macklemore’s words, get ready to pop some tags because thrift shopping is one of the best ways to save the planet and save money. Use these secrets to help you pick fashionable secondhand items. Whether you’re going to a vintage store, consignment shops, or places like Goodwill, you reduce fabric waste if you buy clothing secondhand. Not to mention you’ll likely find excellent clothes for a fraction of what you would pay in a new-retail setting. Every year the average American spends over 70 pounds of textile to the landfill. So by choosing to visit the thrift shop, you are helping to reduce this waste.

#5. Repair Well-Loved Items

The new fashion is being consumed at a rapid rate. And we all have those favorite clothing items that have holes or excess wear and tear from being worn over and over. Instead of tossing these textiles out and looking to buy new things, consider repairing your well-loved items and extending their lives. Not only will this help to reduce your clothing waste, but it will also save you money and allow you to hold on to your most beloved pieces of clothing for longer.

#6. Buy Homemade Or Local

If you have the option to buy handmade or locally made clothing, jewelry, or shoes, this can be a great way to acquire environmentally friendly clothing. Handmade items not only tend to have a smaller impact on the environment since they aren’t mass-produced in a factory but by purchasing them, you are also supporting a local small business.

#7. Do Your Homework

If you are looking to buy new but buy only from eco-friendly brands, there are plenty of options. But like all things, you want to do your homework on these brands and not just go off advertising. Because of the boom in the popularity of sustainable fashion, many brands are hopping on the bandwagon. This is creating “green-washing” between brands and consumers. Where consumers are thinking, they are buying sustainable, but in reality, they aren’t. 

The secret to purchasing environmentally friendly clothing lies within the three R’s. By focusing on reducing the clothing you buy, recycling pre-worn clothing, and reusing (or repairing) what you already have, you will significantly reduce your clothing waste. Shopping sustainable clothing is becoming more and more important, so keep these tips in mind next time you are planning to shop