5 reasons to choose sustainable textiles
Posted by Team NZNC on 7th Jun 2021
Choosing to buy clothing and accessories made from sustainable textiles, is definitely a bit of a lifestyle choice.
You’ve got to switch your consciousness to things you might not have considered before...
Instead of thinking about whether you simply like the look of something first, you generally think about where it comes from.
Not only do you want to be aware of how the material was sourced, but you may also want to question whether it was produced ethically.
Of course, shopping sustainably doesn't mean that you’re not going to consider what an item looks like. It’s not going to lead to you walking around in a burlap sack! Fortunately, sustainable fashion is becoming more and more mainstream, and by no means is it unstylish.
So, let’s jump into what sustainability really means...
What are sustainable textiles?
In order for something to be sustainable when producing clothing, homewares and other textiles, the overall environmental impact needs to be minimal.
Fibres need to be pesticide-free, made in closed-loop systems, or produced with a focus on recycling and/or reducing overall water and chemical waste.
FYI: In fashion, closed-loop means maximum usability, minimum environmental impact and waste generation, and efficient use of natural resources. It involves designing, manufacturing and handling clothing in a way that keeps it in circulation for as long as possible. You may have heard this referred to as ‘circular design’.
Often, low-impact or natural dyes are chosen over those that use more harmful chemicals. Firstly, because toxic waste is bad for the environment, and secondly, because these dyes may be gentler on the skin. Everyone benefits!
You already have a good understanding of the benefits of going sustainable, but here are five key reasons to choose sustainable textiles.
1. It’s better for the environment
We’ve already explored this in some detail, but we’d say this is probably the biggest benefit – and for good reason. If we want to live on this planet for a long time, we need to keep it happy and healthy.
The production of many man-made textiles generates greenhouse gas emissions, which we all know by now are a major problem. They also contribute to landfill waste, filling it with plastic-based, chemically dyed fibres that do not readily decompose. In addition, harmful chemicals used during manufacturing can find their way into our land and waterways.
Now, that’s not to say sustainable textiles have zero impact. Of course they do. Natural fibres can decompose over time. Woollen clothing, for example, can release methane and CO₂ as it breaks down, but it does not leave behind persistent synthetic fibres in the same way as plastic-based textiles.
The best way we can combat this environmental impact is through ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. According to reports from the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling clothing can have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. It’s better for you
If you could see what went into some of your clothing, we’re pretty sure you’d feel less inclined to put it on…
You might know someone who really struggles with allergies and constant itching. They probably blame it on the washing powder they use and just can't seem to find one that works. Well, it’s possible that substances used in the production of their clothing are contributing to the irritation, and no perfectly pH-balanced washing powder is going to alleviate that discomfort if the fabric itself is the cause.
Do you pay attention to what you eat, checking which bad-for-you processed foods to avoid? You probably think about that a lot more than what you wear or the bedsheets you sleep in…
Prolonged contact with certain harmful chemicals found in textiles can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Some substances may also be absorbed through the skin, depending on the chemical and level of exposure. Your skin is a vital organ – the biggest one you have – so you should treat it with the same care as those inside your body.
Natural fibres produced sustainably can be manufactured with fewer potentially harmful chemicals. However, it's important to remember that both natural and synthetic textiles can undergo chemical treatments during production.
Another awesome benefit of natural fibres is the way they interact with the human body. We’re talking about temperature regulation and the diverse fluctuations our bodies go through. This makes them great for activewear, leisurewear and workwear: keeping you warm, wicking away moisture and offering breathability.
3. It’s better for others
Do you think about who made your clothes? Where the fibres were sourced?
It’s easy to ignore, but it’s happening all over the world. Unfair pay, inhumane working conditions and demands that can’t be met by mass-manufacturing companies…
We won’t go into too much detail, but it’s important to be conscious of the impact that unethically produced fast fashion can have on our fellow humans.
By choosing sustainably and ethically produced textiles, you can make a positive difference to the lives of the people who help produce them.
That’s a win in our books!
4. It’s fashionable
It’s such a big myth that sustainable fashion can’t be stylish. Yet it’s a common objection (or should we say excuse?).
Brands that produce fast fashion are very good at putting the emphasis on trends. We’re told what we should be wearing, and we have been for as long as we can remember.
But is this really fashionable? Isn’t it more fashionable to coordinate your own personal style?
Sustainable fashion designers often focus on creating timeless looks that are made to a high standard and can be worn in a variety of ways – allowing the wearer more opportunities to create their own personal style.
5. It’s future-proof
We cannot continue to produce unethical, unsustainable textiles. If we do, the environmental impact could become irreversible.
Everyone has a responsibility. As consumers, if we choose to shop more sustainably, manufacturers will have to listen. It’s very much a supply-and-demand business.
Sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s a lifestyle. The more we learn to embrace it, the greater the positive impact we can have on our planet, our people and future generations.
Our own sustainable textiles
At New Zealand Natural Clothing, our philosophy is “Wear with Confidence”.
By choosing our sustainable offerings, you can be confident that you're contributing to reducing the impact on the environment and supporting the people who manufacture our products. Plus, you know you're investing in high-quality garments designed to last.
Many of our products are made in New Zealand using New Zealand-sourced natural fibres. We're here to show that we can create luxurious garments while keeping it Kiwi.
By using Merino wool and possum fur, we help ensure you look good and feel even better. These natural fibres come from our own backyard. In fact, New Zealand is one of the few places in the world where possum fibre is commercially harvested for clothing.
In New Zealand, the brushtail possum is a non-native animal introduced from Australia that has had a devastating effect on our country's flora and fauna. Because of this, the species is targeted for population control, regardless of whether we use its fur.
New Zealand's conservation efforts can benefit from the market for possum fur, which provides an income for skilled trappers. We are proud to support the responsible and humane collection of possum fur, while also making use of a valuable natural resource that might otherwise go to waste.
Our external suppliers are also environmentally conscious, working to ensure that any necessary chemical use is kept to a minimum and waste is managed effectively.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store or online, we can order it in for you.
Kit yourself out for the warmer months with natural fibre garments designed for all seasons!