GREEN ADVICE
cool
ways
P L ANTS AR E US E D FO R T EX T I LES
It’s no secret the textile industry is terrible for the environment, linked to high energy and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. According to numbers by Waste Reduction Week in Canada, the global textile industry uses one trillion kilowatt-hours every year; 10% of the world’s total carbon impact. It takes 2,650 liters of water to make a single cotton t-shirt, and dying and treating textiles contribute up to 20% of total industrial water pollution. Brilliant minds are coming up with ways to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Here’s our list of the 5 cool ways plants are being used for textiles.
1
Vegetable Cashmere It looks like cashmere; it feels like cashmere; only, it has nothing to do with goats. Vegetable cashmere is an all-natural fabric created from the soybean plant. The 100% biodegradable alternative to animal fiber is made with soy protein spun from the pulp in tofu production; that’s it, that’s all. Soft, silky, and stretchy, the fabric is full of plant proteins that nourish the skin and is currently being used to make yoga, active, and loungewear. Design brand KD New York claims that much like animal-based cashmere, this one keeps you warm in the winter and comfortable in the heat. Learn more about Vegetable Cashmere: bit.ly/347UiBd
2
SeaCell
Seaweed has long held a reputation as being a superfood; now, the marine plant is breaking into the fashion and textile industry. Producing SeaCell is eco-friendly. Also known as the Lyocell process, it takes place in a closed loop with no chemicals released as waste. Seaweed is pressed into a natural cellulose fiber, preserving all of its beneficial properties along the way. Essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals transfer between the fiber and the skin, helping activate cell regeneration and protect from free radicals. Made exclusively for smartfiber AG, the fabric is described as silky smooth and comfortable, perfect for athletic and loungewear, undergarments, and home textiles. Learn more about SeaCell: smartfiber.de
96
