green is universal

A Fabric Frenzy of Innovation

Posted at 12:13 PM on January 14, 2008 comments (0)

By Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous.com

Being the most widely used fiber, statistics regarding the conventional production of cotton are nothing short of shocking - suffice it to say it's the most pesticide-intensive crop on the planet. That's why it's imperative to shop, not just organic fruits and veggies, but organic cotton too. Your eco-options for fabrics need not be limited to cotton alone, though. The market has expanded into greener territory with even some seemingly odd innovations, sometimes called "new organics."

Perhaps the most publicized has been Ingeo, a company that makes a fabric from corn. After fermenting the sugar from corn (much in the same way as yogurt) it's transformed into polymers that create a durable yet biodegradable fiber. Check out their website for more info, to see where it's being used and who's supplying it. Tencel is the brand name for a type of fiber called lyocell that is produced from the cellulose of wood pulp. The process of creating lyocell has been heralded as environmentally friendly - garnering a European Union's Environmental Award - as it's manufactured in a closed loop of constantly recycled additives and minimal waste. It spins out totally white, so bleach is unnecessary. Plus, the fiber degrades in just eight days in waste treatment plants. A company called EcoSpun keeps three billion plastic bottles out of landfills each year by transforming them into a fleece-like fabric. Although the process is energy intensive, we commend their use of post-consumer materials. Another notable fabric making headway comes from the byproduct of soybean oil production. Called SPF for Soybean Protein Fiber, these amino acids are said to be as good for your skin as their ingestible counterparts. Bamboo pulp can also be converted into a naturally antibacterial fabric that wicks sweat away from the body and rivals hemp in its superior sustainability. But perhaps most bizarre is Seacell, made from a seaweed base. The company claims this Oeko-Tex certified fiber promotes activity and creates a sense of well-being. Sasawashi is another fabric purported to deliver health benefits such as improving circulation and healing inflammation. A blend of rice paper and kumazasa leaves grown in the highlands of Japan, it's an ancient wisdom being put to good use. Lofty claims for mere fabrics, but given such ingenuity in the world of textiles, we're tempted to broaden the scope of our wardrobes (though shopping vintage is always an environmental boon). Lastly, I'd like to say, watch out for wool. While it is an eco-friendlier option (when compared to cotton), wool is not always as natural as it seems to be. Commercially, wool is cleaned by a chemical carbonization process that essentially puts it through a toxic bath. Best to buy organic wool or get it from small, family operations.

To further explore innovations in green fabrics check out Treehugger's Mini Directory of Green Fabrics.

Zem Joaquin
ecofabulous.com