L'ABC des tissus écoresponsables

The ABCs of eco-responsible fabrics

Choosing eco-responsible fabrics means being aware of the path traveled by the fiber, its cultivation, its treatment and its transformation, its transport, its labor, as well as its duration. Although there are other good alternatives, such as eucalyptus and linen, here we tell you about the main fibers we use for Abaka clothing.

hemp

HEMP

Hemp fiber is hypoallergenic and non-irritating to the skin, in addition to being very resistant and biodegradable. Hemp is one of the most ecological fabrics on the market: it requires no pesticides, fungicides or herbicides and it helps regenerate the soil, in addition to being one of the most accessible today. Its fibers being porous, they form a fabric that lasts a long time, which breathes and which becomes softer from one wash to another: the more you wear it, the more comfortable it becomes! For many, hemp fiber wins the palm of ecological fibers. Not only for its durability and for its local potential, but also for all its different applications that could transform several industries.

MOST

THE LESSERS

- Plant that grows very easily in addition to being very resistant and does not require the use of any insecticide or pesticide.

- His clothes last longer.

- Takes only 11 weeks to mature, needs little water.

- Can grow in Canada (however, Health Canada regulations are restrictive. You must have a permit to grow, to transform, to transport hemp.)

- The cultivation of hemp regenerates the soil.

- Biodegradable and very versatile fiber that benefits from being further developed by everyone and everything.

- Expertise in scutching, spinning and knitting hemp remains to be developed in Canada.

- Hemp yarn is often mixed with organic cotton to reduce the price of the fabric and because hemp alone is too rough to make knits.

- Higher price.

- Hemp fabric is more difficult to maintain (creases more easily).

- Regulation for the cultivation, transformation and transport of industrial hemp due to its resemblance to the marijuana plant.


bamboo

BAMBOO

Bamboo fiber has natural antibacterial properties that prevent allergies and skin irritation. In addition to being permeable, bamboo resists heat and creasing. The microstructure of the fabric ensures that the garment breathes properly and is efficient at absorbing and evaporating moisture. Its suppleness provides incomparable hold and comfort. It is also the fastest growing plant in the world! Cultivating it takes little water and is done without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Bamboo forests absorb up to 35% more CO2 than other forest types. Its yield per hectare is among the highest although it takes 3 to 5 years to reach maturity. Thanks to its vegetable origin, its fiber is biodegradable. However, this plant does not have the ability to grow in our climates and comes from China. There are two ways to turn bamboo into fabric: A mechanical process and a chemical process that produces rayon from bamboo pulp. This second technique is by far the most popular and still requires a chemical treatment based on sodium hydroxide, a solvent classified as corrosive. Moreover, there are currently no consumer textile articles made from natural bamboo fibers on the Canadian market. Alas!

MOST

THE LESSERS

- Bamboo forests absorb 35% more CO2 than any other forest.

- Bamboo grows without the need for insecticides or pesticides.

- Bamboo clothes are very easy to care for and almost wrinkle-free.

- The comfort and softness of bamboo fabric is unmatched.

- Needs 4 times less water than cotton.

- Biodegradable fiber.

- Transformation that requires sodium hydroxide ( Read more about this ).

- The bamboo does not grow in Canada, and its thread and fabric come from China. It will therefore always be necessary to import it.

- The bamboo thread is often mixed with cotton or organic cotton in order to have a better texture.

organic cotton

ORGANIC COTTON

Organic cotton fiber is bleached with hydrogen peroxide and not chlorine like conventional cotton. Organic cotton is grown using natural fertilizers, without chemicals or pesticides, keeping the soil healthy and productive. For spinning and knitting cotton, global expertise is already well developed. The traditional cultivation of cotton is one of the most polluting in the world. Growing organic cotton reduces this impact by being chemical-free. Although this crop requires a good amount of water and contributes to soil impoverishment, it remains a good alternative to traditional cotton. Cotton also requires very little processing to make a quality textile. Although it does not grow in Canada, it may have come from the United States. Thanks to its vegetable composition, its fiber is biodegradable. In addition, cotton has a considerable advantage since at the end of a garment's life, it can be shredded and then rethreaded to make a new material. Cotton therefore plays a complementary role with other ecological fibres. It is hypoallergenic and therefore ideal for people sensitive to irritation and prone to redness.

MOST

 

THE LESSERS

- No transformation necessary.

- Cheap price.

- Expertise already developed.

- Biodegradable fiber.

- Easy to maintain, very versatile.

- Cotton does not grow in Canada. It will therefore always be necessary to import it.

- Growing cotton, even organic, requires a lot of water and is very demanding on the soil.

- The products must be certified.

- The cotton plant is very vulnerable to insects and diseases (hence the massive use of chemicals to grow non-organic cotton). There is therefore always a risk of losing the harvest or having a lower yield.

Sources: Thanks to our friends at Respecterre and Eco-Loco !

Hoping to guide your more informed choices, see you soon!

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