Well Cultivated Blog

Eco Fabrics – Sorting the Truth Out from the Hype

admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:37:50 +0000

At Well Cultivated, we stock many eco fabrics and clothing and have had to look at each in turn to see if they really are eco or are they just a passing fashion fad. As we personally visit many manufacturers we try and sort out the truth from the rubbish and what constitutes classing a fabric as eco. Below, we give a list of popular fabrics as well as a few lesser know fabrics coming soon to you. We then mention at the end some brief eco facts, for you to take away with, about clothing and how a few choices can make a big difference.The first question is :- What is an eco fabric? It is not a simple case of man-made fibres or natural that makes a fabric eco, there are a lot more factors that need considering:-

   • Is growing the raw material good for the environment?
   • The harmful manufacturing processes to the planet and the workers.
   • The eco-harmful dyes used.
   • Is it grown close to demand (low shipping miles) or flown in by air?
   • How long the fabric lasts before needing replacing
   • The heat of washing and drying it required.
   • Finally, the methods of disposal or recycling the clothes.

Glossary of Eco Fabrics (click below)

         1.   Alpaca
       2.   Bamboo
       3.   Bamboo Charcoal
       4.   Eco-Spun
       5.   Hemp
       6.   Ingeo
       7.   Cotton / Organic Cotton
       8.   Sasawashi
       9.   SeaCell
        10. Somalar
        11. Organic Silk
        12. Soya
        13. Tencel
        14. Wool

Summary
Eco-Facts About Clothing

Alpaca                                                                                                                      < Go to Top >
This funny looking animal produces a thick, full coat that makes incredibly warm jackets, sweaters, hats and blankets. Alpaca fibre is stronger, lighter and more resilient than wool. It is also finer than cashmere and equal to the warmth of Gortex.

• Properties of Alpaca :- Warmth, strength, lightness. Extra fine fabric

Bamboo                                                                                                                  < Go to Top >
Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing plant. Some bamboo species grow one metre per day and the mature 20 metre tree can be harvested every three to four years! In fact, it is nature’s most sustainable resource, grown without pesticides or chemicals and is 100% biodegradable after disposing of the clothing. Bamboo takes in more carbon dioxide than trees and breathes out more oxygen than trees as well. As well as the 1000s of uses of bamboo around the home and in wood products, it is also being spun into luxurious fabrics and is leading the charge for eco fashion with bamboo clothing. It is regarded as a highly eco fabric that is very healthy to the wearer. There are some doubts about the quite intensive production process converting the hard bamboo into the soft “bamboo viscous”. It is called viscous by testing agencies because it is an extract of part of the plant and not the complete material like silk or cotton.

• Properties of Bamboo :- Stretchy, Breathable, hypoallergenic, soft as cashmere, absorbent and anti bacterial properties means it is good for towels, robes, underwear and socks as well as sports wear.

Eco-Fabric Made from Bamboo Charcoal                                                                   < Go to Top >
This bamboo is the Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens), the world’s most porous bamboo from the Jhushan “Bamboo Mountain” region of Taiwan. Eco-fabric does not contain any added chemicals that kill bacteria and fight odours, all the benefits are simply from the bamboo. The bamboo contains many tiny holes, making it excellent for absorbing odour-causing chemicals, controlling temperature, and wicking away moisture — an ideal fabric for footwear or undergarments. Particularly as the charcoal stops even more odours. The bamboo, although burnt still keeps it’s ability to naturally stop the growth of bacteria and fungi.

• Properties of Bamboo Charcoal :- Same as bamboo plus greater anti odourising action due to the charcoal.

Eco-Spu
n                                                                                                                    < Go to Top >
Learn to love Eco-Spun! It is a high-quality polyester fibre which is made from 100% certified recycled PET (soda/pop) bottles, that is capable of keeping about three billion plastic PET bottles out of the world’s landfills each year. It saves over half a million barrels of oil and eliminates 400,000 tons of harmful emissions which contribute to global warming, acid rain, smog, etc. In fact, the amount of petroleum saved annually by using post-consumer bottles instead of virgin materials is enough to supply power to a large city
Eco-Spun can be found in many textile products. This includes eco friendly clothing, blankets, wall coverings, carpets, auto interiors, and various home furnishings.
It takes 6-20 bottles to make a sweatshirt, depending upon the weight, size and blend of the garment.

Hemp                                                                                                                  < Go to Top >
Okay, get over the Hemp stigma of attaching it with marijuana and come out of the 70’s into modern times. Hemp is a great material for organic clothing. It requires no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides to grow and it replenishes the soil with nutrients such as nitrogen. It is also very adept at converting CO2 into oxygen. Hemp also yields about three times more fibre than cotton per acre. The hemp plant has many uses in such things as textiles, beauty and nutritional products. You can even find it in a Mercedes-Benz where it is added to various interior panels. And did you know that the American Declaration of Independence was drafted on hemp paper?

• Properties of Hemp :- Most eco fabric, very water resistant, light airy fabric, ease of washing, wrinkles easily, doesn’t like creasing over time, not as soft to touch

Ingeo                                                                                                                        < Go to Top >
Which is pronounced “in-gee-o” is a relatively new fibre on the market that has begun to catch on. It can be found in such things as pillows, duvets and from carpeting to dresses, socks and other clothing items. The name literally means “ingredients from the earth.” It is the first commercially viable man-made fibre which comes from corn and it’s the first natural-based synthetic fibre to meet the performance requirements of traditional petroleum-based fibres; it is like a natural version of polyester. The environmental benefits include a significant reduction in greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels. It is also biodegradable meaning that the complete life cycle of production, consumption, disposal and reuse if neatly closed.

Organic Cotton                                                                                                             < Go to Top >
First, a word about traditional cotton. Cotton is the second most pesticide-laden crop in the world. Five of the top nine pesticides are that used on cotton in the U.S. (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin) are known cancer-causing chemicals. It takes approximately 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton to make just one t-shirt. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown in certified pesticide-free and herbicide-free soil, using organic farming methods, which produce healthier fabrics, preserve the quality of our water and prevent toxins from entering the human food chain in the form of cottonseed and other by products.

• Properties of Cotton/Organic Cotton :- cool (if pure), soft, absorbent, irons easily, breathable, wrinkles easily
• Properties of UV Cut cotton :- protects from the sun
• Properties of early cut organic cotton :- much finer to the feel than standard organic cotton. Similar to feel of cashmere.

Sasawashi                                                                                                                     < Go to Top >
Is a fabric made of Japanese paper and the kumazasa herb. We just know that it’s eco-friendly, looks like linen and is starting to be used by clothing designers.

SeaCell

What you should & shouldn’t buy organic

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Organic food may be the better and a safer choice when it comes to feeding your family; however it can also be costly and cause heavy damage on your wallet. Follow these guidelines on what you should and shouldn’t buy organic.

things you can buy safely (non-organic)

fruit
avocado: Their thick skins that protect the fruit from pesticide build-up.
how to buy it: You want an avocado that is slightly unripe and is firm tot he squeezes; they will ripen in a few days of sitting on your kitchen counter. Store at room temperature. Even though you won’t be using the skin of the avocado, be sure to rinse it anyway before you open it up.

bananas: The banana peel isn’t eaten and it’s where the pesticide stays.
how to buy it: You’ll want to think of how you are going to use the banana before you choose it. If choosing green (where the peel is pale yellow and the tips are green) their taste will be somewhat tart. You will want to use these for frying or baking in a pie. If choosing where the peel is mostly all yellow, the pulp will still be firm but their starch content will have started to turn to sugar. These, as just as the green ones, work best in pies and tarts. If choosing banana with signs of brown spots with the peel a deeper yellow colour, the banana will be sweetest in taste and work well mashed and added to baked goods like banana bread recipes. Store at room temperature. If they’re unripe, you can place them in a brown paper bag to ripen.

pineapple: It has a rough and spiny skin that protects it from pests and pesticide residue.
how to buy it: Although the sweet smell of pineapple can be alluring, you don’t want to use your nose on this one because it usually means that it is overripe. Like any fruit, avoid soft spots and also avoid damage to the rind. Store in the refrigerator or on the counter if you plan to use with on a day or two.

kiwi: Its fuzzy skin acts as a barrier to pesticides, but be sure to still give them a rinse before use.
how to buy it: When buying kiwi, you have to use your nose. Sniff out kiwis that smell good. The kiwi you choose should be plump and yield to a squeeze like that of a ripe pear. Don’t pick any with moist areas on their surface or any skin bruising. If unripe kiwi are all that are available, simply take them home and place them in a paper bag at room temperature with other fruits that need more time, such as bananas or pears. Store in the refrigerator vegetable drawer.

mango: Another fruit that has thick skin that protects it from pesticides, but you still want to rinse before use.
how to buy it: There are different varieties of mangoes, but in general look for those that are bright in color such as red, yellow, or orange. You can use your nose again here because it should have a significant fruity smell, if not don’t buy it. They should be slightly firm but yield to your touch somewhat. (Usually the sweeter mango is the one that is softer to the touch.) However, if it is too soft, it could be rotten inside, so choose carefully. They are best stored in the refrigerator fruit or vegetable drawer.

papaya: Pesticide residue stays on papaya skin, but gives them a rinse before using.
how to buy it: Papaya colors come in colors ranging between yellow and green. Choose one that is slightly soft and show no signs of bruising or that don’t appear shriveled. If their not fully ripened you can put them in a brown bag once you get home. If they are ripe, store in the refrigerator.

vegetables
asparagus: This vegetable faces fewer threats from pests, therefore needing less pesticide.
how to buy it: You want firm spears with purplish or bright green tips. Buy about 1/2 pound per person. Try to choose spears that are similar in size and thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator vegetable drawer and rinse before using (even if you’re going to boil them).

broccoli: Conventional broccoli crops face fewer pest threats, like asparagus, so they require less pesticide use.
how to buy it: It should be deep green in color and the stalks should be firm and not rubbery. Wash in cool water while changing the water a couple of times in the process before use. Store in the refrigerator, vegetable drawer.

cabbage: Like asparagus and broccoli, it doesn’t need a lot of pesticides while it is growing.
how to buy it: You want a cabbage head where the leaves are tight; you also want it to be heavy for its type and firm. For most cabbage varieties, you’ll want to make sure the outer leaves are shiny and crisp. The exception to this rule is savory cabbage, as it forms a looser head and the leaves grow crinkly naturally. Don’t buy any heads whose leaves are yellowing. Bok Choy should have deep green leaves with their stems a crisp-looking white. Make sure to get remove the outer leaves of a cabbage before using it. Cabbage can be washed or spun, just as you would lettuce. Store in the refrigerator vegetable drawer.

Onions: As many others listed they don’t see as many pest threats, which mean less pesticide use.
how to buy it: You want an onion that is firm and has a distinct onion smell but not but not too strong. You also don’t want to choose one with signs of damage or soft spots. Keep in a cool dry place, or in the refrigerator.

things to buy organic
fruits and vegetables:
With fruits and vegetables, many of them contain thin or edible skins than cab contain pesticide residue. In addition, some of them have to be heavily sprayed due to their high level of pests.

Check here for organic fruit and veg fruits and vegetables ranks in order of most or least pesticide.

(arranged in order of highest to lowest pesticide load)

fruits: Peaches, Apples, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Grapes, Pears, Raspberries, Plums, Oranges, Tangerine, Cantaloupe, Lemon, Honeydew, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Blueberries.

(arranged in order of highest to lowest pesticide load)
vegetables: Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Lettuce, Spinach, Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Hot Peppers, Cucumbers, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Winter Squash, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes

other:
fair trade certified coffee beans: Check out this site to find out where to buy them.

milk: Check this site for a rated list of organic milk and other organic dairy products.

meat: Organic meat is free of antibiotics, added hormones, and human growth hormones (GMO). These animals are raised more ethically and humanely, meaning they are allowed to range freely and not confined to pens. In addition, the land that they eat from and live on uses no or less chemicals as well.

Search your local paper to find a local farmers market or organic farm.

Hope this helps! And remember, if you can’t afford organic food try to at least buy things that are lower in pesticide loads.

What you should & shouldn’t buy organic

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:44:00 +0000