Conventional textile production is one of the most polluting industries on the planet. It's estimated that the textile industry is responsible for as much as 20 per cent of land and river pollution. Finding ways to curb environmental pollution caused by textile production starts with producing fabrics that don't require toxins and large amounts of water, and which minimize harm to the ecology.
Organic cotton is grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Textiles made of organic cotton require less water to manufacture than conventional cotton textiles and are often more comfortable. Silk is produced by moths, and conventional methods destroy the moth and cocoon in the process. Sustainable products, such as ahimsa silk, use methods that don’t kill the moth pupa. Eco-friendly silk is produced primarily in India, North Asia and Africa. This lacks the harsh dyes that are common in conventional silk production. There are a variety of types of sustainable silk, each with their own unique colors and characteristics. The most common is produced by a creamy white-colored silk worm that is found on the mulberry tree in India.
Bamboo is considered a sustainable source for textiles. It is an extremely fast growing plant that doesn’t need to be replanted each year, doesn’t require massive amounts of pesticides and keeps the air clean.
