The benefits of natural fibers ranging from better working conditions on the farm, no health risks to farmers and local wildlife, and supporting this home we call our planet earth.
Tencel
Tencel is the brand name used for a type of lyocell. According to LotusOrganics.com, "lyocell is a man-made fiber produced in an environmentally-friendly process from wood pulp...it is absorbent and comfortable for wear ,especially in high humidity. Lyocell also drapes attractively and is flattering in dresses and shirts."
Benefits of Tencel
- Breathable and lightweight
- Shrink resistant
- Highly absorbent
- Easy to maintain; they dry quickly and resist wrinkling
- made from wood pulp and is 100% biodegradable
PET/Recycled Polyester
This is a surprising little discovery that wears extremely well. A wonderful eco-friendly material that is made from recycled plastic bottles (that's right!) is quite versatile at being transformed into beautiful earth-friendly fashions. Nau.com, a company known for it's sustainable practices and respect for green elements in every step of the manufacturing process creates quite lovely clothing made from PET. According to NAU, 'Through mechanical and chemical recycling processes, we can produce soft, supple fibers from this scrap while using a fraction of the energy virgin yarns require.' See for yourself at Nau.com - Fabric Overview.
Benefits of PET
- Recycling is good for the people and the planet
- Keeps landfills less filled
- Creates something new from polyester that is no longer wearable
SeaCell
Seacell is a fiber made from a combination seaweed and wood pulp (lyocell). Said to absorb nutrients into the skin from the seaweed, seacell has become a favorite of eco luxury designers such as Linda Loudermilk. The fabric was originally designed in Germany and has been certified by the European "Eco-Label".
Benefits of SeaCell
- Breathable fiber - great for intimates
- Seaweed is an anti-inflammatory
Jute
Being one of the cheapest natural fibres to produce it is easily adaptable to a variety of uses. Jute fibres are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose (major component of plant fibre) and lignin (major components wood fibre). Because jute is a bit tougher to the touch, it is generally used for non-woven textiles such as shopping bags, furnishings, and placemats. When used for clothing, it is similar in look to a linen type of material. You can find a variety of jute products at Jute-Industry.com.
Benefits of Jute:
- Uses much less fertilizer, pesticides & herbicides
- Jute cleans the air by releasing huge amounts of oxygen
- Is efficient - it can be harvested in as little as 4-6 months
- 100% biodegradable and recyclable
Ramie
Ramieis a plant grown in Eastern Asia and has been wonderful for creating clothing. Also known as "china grass", ramie has been used for clothes since at least 5000 - 3000 BC in Egypt. Ramie fibers are one of the strongest natural fibers. Ramie can be up to 8 times stronger than cotton, and is even stronger when wet. Because of it's durability, ramie has been used in everything from dresses, to shower curtains.
Benefits of Ramie
- Comfortable to wear
- Highly absorbent
- Stain resistent
- Does not shrink
For a complete list of natural fibers that you've never heard of, check out Natural-Environment.com.
Elena Lipson - Elena aka EcoDiva is a freelance eco-writer and consultant as well as a mama to sweet toddler who keeps her on the move and motivated to ...
