Certified Organic Cotton
Organic methods of cotton cultivation produce healthy plants without polluting the soil and the surroundings. Only natural fertilizers such as manure and compost are used while mechanical cultivation and botanical or biological means are used to control pests and weeds. Organic farming is followed from start to finish, from the grain to the finished product. This means less exposure of fertilizers and pesticides for the people growing it and less poisoned farmlands and water supplies from the dangerous chemicals released in the environment. The World Health Organization estimates that while conventional cotton farming uses only 3% of total farmland, it consumes 10% of chemical pesticides and 22% of all insecticides. Farmers have been tempted to use high concentrations of chemicals in the hope of higher yield and income.
This thoughtless usage has led to pests that develop resistance to these chemicals and this has as a consequence the usage of higher quantities of these increasingly toxic products. We are happy to use certified organic cotton which overcomes reduced soil fertility, salinization (increasing salt concentration in the soil), and loss of biodiversity by allowing the soil to replenish and maintain its fertility naturally. Since sustainability is very important to us we gladly report the entire process consumes less fuel and energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases. Creating organic cotton yarn reduces CO2 emissions by 60% compared to conventional cotton. The certified organic cotton we use in LORANIQUE is not from genetically modified cottonseed. The only consideration we have is regarding the large amounts of water used for production and processing of cotton. Some experts contend that cotton is the largest user of water among all agricultural commodities.
We therefore strive for awareness on sustainable cotton farming practices. Ineffective use of irrigation and poor transportation and storage can lead to huge amounts of wasted water. The problem is that organic cotton only accounts for 1 percent of total cotton production. The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world just after the oil industry. We choose to be part of the solution.
Benefits of organic cotton
People with allergies and chemical sensitivity especially benefit from organic cotton clothing, as conventional cotton may retain harmful toxic residues. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, organic cotton will just feel better. Our garments are without any doubt good for your body and good for the environment
According to the Cotton Council International, the benefits of cotton clothing are numerous. Below are some:
- Organic cotton is hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant, which means is the best choice of material for people who suffer from asthma or allergies, or those who have sensitive skin prone to irritation.
- Organic cotton clothing -as all natural fabrics do- allows for better air circulation, which helps remove and absorb body moisture, drawing heat away from the skin and keeping the body cool and dry. Also, because cotton clothing breathes better, it’s the best choice to keep you cool in hot, humid weather.
- Organic cotton clothing is very versatile and is the ideal wash-and-wear fabric, it is relatively inexpensive, durable, and easy to care for.
- Organic cotton is flame-retardant unlike fabrics that contain synthetic fibers.
- Organic cotton is a renewable resource (you can recycle yarns) and it’s also biodegradable.
- Cotton is the only fabric that gives you the choice to purchase its organic equivalent.
Recycled Cotton
Waste is an undeniable part of the fashion industry. Huge amounts of new items are produced, sold, worn and discarded on a massive scale. We know it is time companies cut back on waste and rethink how and what they produce. To this end we use recycled materials were possible. Recycling cotton is a sustainable alternative to conventional methods because it means that unwanted unused material will be reborn into a high-quality garment increasing its life span while reducing its carbon footprint. Recycling greatly reduces the water, energy and chemicals needed to produce new fibers. Way too much of what is made these days is of poor quality and does not last long. The industry fills clothing racks with new items while new trends are not set to last so clothes are quickly discarded. We use recycled material were possible but put our emphasis on durable design.
How is recycled cotton made?
Used cotton is shredded and re-spun into a new one-of-a-kind yarn that can be used to make new fabrics. This minimizes the harmful environmental impact of each stage of production. The source of this cotton can be cast-off material salvaged from the weaving and spinning process, scrap from clothing production, or post-consumer discarded material. The final composition of the fabric containing recycled cotton will depend on its final use. And according to this, it is usually mixed with another fiber such as organic cotton to increase its ecological advantages.
In all transparency cotton fabrics cannot continue to be recycled indefinitely even so the benefits from recycling textiles outweigh the disadvantages and although it is difficult to quantify them here are a few:
- Even if originally pesticides were used to produce this cotton now we already have this material so instead of throwing it away we re use it so we get double its worth.
- The water and energy consumption is reduced as we do not need to use newly grown cotton. This is of great importance as there is a global water shortage. We also minimize the carbon footprint of the procedure.
- The dyeing processes changes when you use recycled yarns and fabrics. You use only 50% of the original water and no toxic or harmful chemicals.
Organic cotton and our certification
The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the world’s leading standard for the production process for organic textiles. They guarantee the entire production process for responsibly grown cotton, including the environmental and social aspects of cultivation. This means no hazardous chemicals are used, the farmer is free to choose which crops they grow, and to grow their own food. Organic cotton uses less water and energy because it gets more time to grow. The land also gets more time to recover after harvesting, so the soil doesn’t slowly become infertile. GOTS sets strict conditions for factories where hand-picked cotton is processed: good employment conditions and a good working environment.
Our manufacturing unit is GOTS certified. License number CERES-0165.
Tencel ®
Tencel ® is made from cellulose, a natural component of wood a renewable source material that has the great property of being biodegradable. At the end of their life cycle, these fibers can re-enter the eco-system, preparing the ground on which new plants grow. Tencel ® is made from eucalyptus wood pulp from responsibly managed and sustainably grown forests in Austria. In its production over 99% of the solvents and chemicals used are captured and recycled in a unique closed loop system which recovers and reuses the solvents used, minimizing the environmental impact of production by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by almost 50% and water consumption by 90% versus conventional cotton. It feels soft and silky smooth on your skin, it doesn’t crease while it absorbs moisture better than cotton and feels cooler than linen.
TENCEL™ Modal
Just like Tencel®, TENCEL™ Modal is a natural fiber, in this case made from Austrian beech wood. Here, too, the production process is extremely environmentally friendly. The fiber is exceptionally smooth and requires very little energy during later steps, such as colouring and spinning. Modal® falls very lightly and feels soft as silk. We use it increasingly in combination with other yarns such as certified organic cotton as it make for unique fabrics with the best of both worlds.TENCEL™ Modal fibers offer textiles a long-lasting quality of exquisite softness. Owing to the fiber’s sleek cross-section, TENCEL™ Modal fibers enhance the soft touch of fabrics even after repeated washing. Measurements show that TENCEL™ Modal fibers feel twice as soft as cotton.
LENZING™ Modal Micro
Using Micro technology TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are extra fine and light cellulose fibers from sustainable wood sources. These fibers are used to make even finer knit fabrics pioneering a new dimension of exquisite softness and lightness, offering long-lasting natural comfort. Soft to the skin, smooth to the touch, luxurious in shine and flow.
Viscose
Viscose is a natural fiber also made from wood fiber but the technology is older than that of Tencel® and Modal® so we use it in our collection only when repurposing already made fabrics. It feels wonderfully soft, absorbs moisture well and has a stylish look.
Linen
Made from the flax plant, it’s one of the strongest fibers known to man and amongst the oldest fiber crops in the world. The fiber is extracted from the bast or skin of the stem of the flax plant and is used for the production of linen. Making linen requires few pesticides, and reduces CO2 emissions by 30% and water use by 90% versus conventional cotton. It grows well on land unsuitable for food production and can rely on rainfall for irrigation. It is also said to have antimicrobial properties and has high moisture absorption, as it takes up water rapidly and releases it quickly again into the surroundings. It is biodegradable; has a fresh, crisp and richly-textured feel. Linen also has thermal insulation, which makes it feel fresh and cool, making it good for lighter clothing.
Hemp
Hemp is a fast-growing plant that requires very little water and no herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO seeds. In comparison, cotton is more water-intensive and takes longer to reach harvest age and producing less fibers per acre. , Hemp can be grown organically using natural compost and animal manure, utilizing available rainfall. Fiber extraction and associated environmental problems are created through the retting process however, but techniques have been developed such as enzyme retting and steam explosion which are less damaging to the environment.
Recycled polyester
Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the most common type of plastic in the world. Recycled polyester, also known as rPET is made from all kinds of plastic. A primary source is the collection of plastic bottles that are shredded melted down and re-spun into new polyester fiber. This saves over 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of the human-toxic chemicals needed to produce virgin polyester. Furthermore rPET stops plastic from polluting the land and oceans, and it gives a soft and durable fabric , resistant to abrasion, great for insulation. rPET takes 59 percent less energy to produce than virgin polyester, but it still requires more energy than hemp, wool and both organic and regular cotton, according to a 2010 report from the Stockholm Environment Institute. Furthermore rPET releases microplastics and the recycling cycle is not a sustainable endless closed loop system so it still has an environmental impact.
In our opinion fashion brands and shoppers should be encouraged to favor natural fibers as much as possible especially as there are many other great alternatives to choose from.
