The circular economy is one way to be more responsible for our planet. Under a circular economy, ideally, there is no waste generated. From creation to the end-of-life, any object under circularity goes through a cycle of usefulness in various stages.
While thinking about circular practices may seem ambitious, it is possible, especially in the fashion industry. When items are produced in a circular system, they are planned with the next possible usage in mind. Understanding the importance of sustainable materials is crucial to our duty to restore the health of our planet.
Sustainable Fashion
The circular fashion industry is one in which clothing is reused as long as possible before being reintroduced to the biosphere safely and environmentally friendly. This article will take a peek into raw materials that hold power to change the way we think about fashion and circularity.
1. Merino Wool
Merino sheep live in their natural habitat till the woolgrowers shave their wool during shoring season. Then, as the year goes on, the sheep’s wool coat grows back to protect it from the weather. So the whole process of growing wool happens in a way that is sustainable and moral continues.
Merino wool is formed of a natural, biodegradable nutrient that is the same as the protein in hair. When a wool product has reached the end of its useful life and is thrown away, the wool fibre easily breaks down in the soil, slowly releasing nutrients into the soil and acting as a fertiliser.
Wool also breaks down entirely in water bodies.
This means it does not add to the pollution caused by microplastics.
2. Hemp Fabric
Hemp is a plant that grows in a way that squeezes between other plants. This means that most of the time, harsh chemical herbicides are not needed. Hemp is also known to get rid of pests naturally, reducing the need for pesticides.
Sustainability also gives back more than 60 nutrients it takes from the soil. Aside from that, it only requires a limited amount of land to grow. Hemp fabric is produced from the plant’s stalk, which is made of long fibre strands. A process called “retting” separates these fibres from the bark. These fibres are later spun together to make a single thread that can be woven into a textile.
3. Organic Cotton
There are clear benefits to organic cotton, making it highly sustainable. When farmers switch to organic cotton cultivation, they not only improve their health but also help the environment.
Since it does not use pesticides or fertilisers, organic cotton keeps groundwater from getting dirty. Compared to traditional cotton cultivation, organic cotton has been determined to have a 98% lower effect on water contamination.
Organic cotton also helps keep the soil from washing away and makes it healthier. This organic farming process captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and is stored in the soil as a carbon pit. It helps the farmers work within their means, which is sustainable for the planet in the long run.
Summing Up
Circular fashion aims to enhance the use of safe, renewable materials in clothing production and recycle old clothing into new items. We want the garment sector to advance to a day where all materials are utilised and recycled securely, ecosystems are preserved, and people have access to respectable employment.
