Cotton is widely considered to be one of the best sources of textile fibre, due to its natural properties. Being a plant sourced fibre it has natural properties that compare favourably against synthetic textiles made from petrochemicals such as polyester and Lycra.
Cotton, whilst a natural fibre, is not as eco-friendly as you may think. Inorganic cotton production employs substantial harmful chemicals, requires large volumes of water to grow and to process and can use genetically modified seeds for higher yield and pest-resistance. Furthermore, fertilisers and sprayed pesticides may run off into waterways causing major water pollution.
Mass production of cheap cotton garments has reduced prices and accelerated consumption, resulting in high volumes of poor quality products that end up being disposed off after being worn just a few times. Given the water requirements required to produce and turn cotton into textiles and the negative impact of fertilisers and chemicals to our environment, perhaps we need to make better educated decisions around what we are purchasing, to select products that last longer and have a low impact on our environment.
Bamboo is a plant native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is one of the fastest-growing plants globally, with some species being capable of growing up to 30cm (1 foot) per day.
When it comes to bamboo fabric, there are several beneficial components to consider. Bamboo only requires a fraction of the water that cotton requires, it has stronger, long lasting fibres, is very soft and has moisture wicking, anti-allergenic properties. However, before being considered the ideal eco-friendly solution, it is important to take into account the fabric making process, as there are some methods that use harsh chemicals which affect bamboo fibre’s natural properties and can be harmful to the environment and to the people employed in its manufacturing. When selecting bamboo fabric it is crucial to ensure that they were made in a ‘closed loop’ system that preserves the natural fibre’s attributes and minimise the impact of pollutants to the environment and the use of chemicals which can affect people’s health.
