Sustainable Textiles: The Future of Fashion with Carefully Chosen Materials
Sustainable textiles
The fashion industry has been criticised for years for its high consumption of water, energy and chemicals. As a result, more and more consumers and companies are asking what clothing is actually made of. Depending on the item, ORGANICATION uses a range of certified materials – from TENCEL™ Lyocell to organic cotton. In this article we introduce the most important ones.
Why it pays to look at the material
The textile industry uses large amounts of water, chemicals and energy. That makes it all the more important to look for concrete, verifiable information about materials.
What matters with textiles:
- Origin of the fibres: organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers; recycled fibres replace part of the virgin raw materials.
- Certification: standards such as GOTS, OCS, GRS or RCS make it traceable what a product is made of.
- Durability: the longer a garment is worn, the less often it needs replacing.
What is TENCEL™ Lyocell?
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a branded fibre from Lenzing AG made from wood – according to the manufacturer, from responsibly managed sources. According to Lenzing, more than 99 % of the solvent used in production is recovered and reused in a closed loop.
Properties of TENCEL™ Lyocell:
- Soft and smooth: TENCEL™ Lyocell feels soft and comfortable on the skin.
- Moisture-regulating: the fibre absorbs moisture well, ensuring a comfortable feel.
- Closed solvent loop: according to the manufacturer, more than 99 % of the solvent is recovered.
Find out more on our TENCEL™ page.
Organic cotton: certified organic farming
Organic cotton is one of the best-known alternatives to conventional cotton. It is grown without synthetic pesticides, without synthetic fertilisers and without genetically modified seeds.
What defines organic cotton:
- Soil care: organic farming uses methods such as crop rotation and organic fertiliser to maintain soil fertility.
- No synthetic pesticides: farmers work without synthetic crop protection products.
- Certification: standards such as GOTS or OCS verify the organic content of the finished product.
Find out more on our Organic Cotton page.
Recycled textiles: the circular idea
Another important approach is the use of recycled fibres. PET bottles, production waste or used textiles, for example, are processed into new fibres, which are then used to make new clothing.
What defines recycled textiles:
- A second use: materials that would otherwise be discarded are processed further.
- Fewer virgin raw materials: recycled fibres replace part of the newly extracted raw materials.
- Proof: standards such as GRS or RCS verify the recycled content.
More on our Recycled Polyester (REPREVE®) page.
Choosing consciously
Knowing more about textiles helps you make more informed decisions when shopping. Look for concrete information on material and certification – at ORGANICATION you will find it on every product page. Depending on the item, our products are certified to GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS or RWS.
Materials such as TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic cotton and recycled fibres provide a good basis for a conscious wardrobe. Discover the range at ORGANICATION or read more on our Materials page.
