Renewable and biodegradable
Being a plant, cotton is 100% biodegradable and compostable, meaning that at the end of a cotton garment’s ‘life’, it will decompose rather than pollute land. Today, 65% of textile fibres produced are petrochemical-based synthetics that will never decompose. When synthetics are washed, micro-plastic fibres are shed and released through waterways.
Biodegradable
Cotton is a plant, so of course it is biodegradable and compostable. While it is environmentally imperative that we change the wasteful patterns of over consumption we see in fashion currently, it is of great value to know that if a cotton garment does end up discarded, it will be returning to the earth, rather than polluting it.
In fact, farmers from all different industries use the ‘soil your undies’ test to measure how healthy their soil is! By placing pure cotton underwear in the ground for two months and pulling them up again, farmers can see how much of the cotton has already been eaten away by microbes in the soil – the faster the cotton biodegrades, the ‘happier’ the soil.
Renewable
A renewable resource is one which is natural and can be replenished and replaced when depleted by consumption. Renewable resources in fashion are the key to a non-wasteful, circular industry.
Cotton is a plant and just as we can grow it, it can biodegrade and return to the ground without doing the earth harm. Cotton is also able to be recycled effectively — a process occurring in the picture opposite — with many innovative fashion labels recycling, alongside the agricultural industry.
While wool as a fibre is renewable, sheep are not. Unlike plants, animals are individuals with brains, thoughts and feelings – just like us. When sheep are slaughtered in the wool industry, there is no coming back, no renewing. Repeatedly ensuring the impregnation of ewes so more lambs can be bred and ultimately slaughtered is not renewable - life and death is utterly linear.
Micro-plastic problem
Today, 65% of textile fibres produced are petrochemical-based synthetics that will never decompose.
When synthetic materials like polyester or acrylic are washed, micro-plastic fibres are shed and released through waterways. The fibres are so small that up to 40% are not caught in water treatment facilities.
One study found that ‘the number of microfibres released from a typical 5 kg wash load of polyester fabrics was estimated to be over 6,000,000 depending on the type of detergent used.’
While ocean plastics are not from a singular source, with a vast amount caused by fishing industries, textile micro-plastics are a serious issue. Natural fibres using biodegradable dyes are a great solution.
References
Today, 65% of textile fibres produced are petrochemical-based synthetics that will never decompose.
Common Objective
…The fibres are so small that up to 40% are not caught in water treatment facilities.
UN Environment
…microfibres released from a typical 5 kg wash load of polyester fabrics was estimated to be over 6,000,000…
Environmental Pollution
While ocean plastics are not singular source, with a vast amount caused by fishing industries…
National Geographic