Organic Cotton

 

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- Reason -

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Organic cotton is grown without the use of any genetically

modification to the crops, without the use of any fertilizers,

pesticides, and other synthetic agro-chemicals harmful to

the land. Harvesting Cotton is harmful to the environment

due to farmers using massive amount of pesticide. For

every pound of cotton harvested, a farmer may use up to

1/3 lb of chemical, synthetic fertilizer.

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+ Pros

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• No Requirement for using pesticides, fertilizers and the like.

• No Requirement for undergoing Genetically Modification Processes.

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- Cons

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• Since there is no pesticides, fertilizers involved there are risks that the cottons might not grow properly.

 

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Colored Cotton

 

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- Reason -

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The chemicals used for bleaching and dyeing of fabrics are

hazardous and will damage the environment and people's

health. Naturally Colored Cotton is already colored, and thus

do not require synthetic dyes during process. Furthermore, the

color of fabrics made from naturally colored cotton does not

become worn and fade away compared to synthetically dyed

cotton fabrics.

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+ Pros

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• No requirement for synthetic dyes since the cottons are already naturally colored.

• Environment-friendly because there isn't any hazardous chemicals.

• Compared to synthetically colored cottons, colors won't get faded easily.

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- Cons

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• One can't use the cottons of desired colors fast, and easily.

 

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Soy

 

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- Reason -

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Soy clothing is largely biodegradable, so it has a minimal

impact on environment and landfills. It is also known as the

vegetable cashmere for its light and silky sensation. Soy

fabrics are moisture absorbent, anti-bacterial, and UV resistant.

However, soy fabrics fell out of public knowledge during

World War II, when rayon, nylon, and cotton sales rose

sharply.

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+ Pros

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• Biodegradable, and has a minimal impact on environment and landfills.

• Known as vegetable cashmere, it has the potential to replace cashmere.

• Moisture absorbent, anti-bacterial and UV Resistant.

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- Cons

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• Few public knowledge.

 

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Hemp

 

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- Reason -

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Hemp, like bamboo, is considered a sustainable crop. It

requires little water to grow, and it is resistant to most pests

and diseases. The hemp plant's broad leaves shade out

weeds and other plant competitors, and its deep taproot

system allows it to draw moisture deep in the soil. Unlike

cotton, many parts of the hemp plant have a use. Hemp

seeds, for example, are processed into oil or food.

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+ Pros

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• Requires little water to grow.

• Resistant to most pests and diseases.

• Once grown, many parts of the hemp plant can be used.

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- Cons

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• Hemp fibers are traditionally coarse, and have been historically used for ropes rather than for clothing. However, modern technology and breeding practices have made hemp fiber more pliable, softer, and finer.

 

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Bamboo

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- Reason -

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Making clothing and textile from bamboo is considered

sustainable due to the lack of need for pesticides and

agrochemicals. Naturally disease and pest resistant,

bamboo is also fast growing. Compared to trees, certain

varieties of bamboo can grow 1–4 inches long per day,

and can even branch and expand outward because of its

underground rhizomes. Like cotton fibers, bamboo fibers

are not naturally yellowish in color and are bleached white

with chemicals during processing.

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+ Pros

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• Making clothing and textile from bamboo is considered sustainable due to the lack of need for pesticides and agrochemicals.

• Resistant to all known pests and diseases.

• Fast-growing (certain varieties of bamboo can grow 1–4 inches long per day).

• Bamboo fibers are not naturally yellowish in color just like cotton.

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- Cons

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• No known cons.

 

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PET Plastic

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- Reason -

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According to the EPA, plastic accounts for 12% of

the total amount of waste we produce. Recycling

plastic reduces air, water, and ground pollution.

Recycling is only the first step; investing and

purchasing products manufactured from

recycled materials is the next of many steps to

living sustainably. Also, Clothing can be made

from plastics. Seventy percent of plastic-derived

fabrics come from polyester, and the type of

polyester most used in fabrics is polyethylene terephthalate or PET.

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+ Pros

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• Can be mass-produced since plastic accounts for 12% of the total amount of waste we produce. Also, These plastics are usually beverage bottles such as water, soda, and fruit juice bottles.

• According to the EPA, Recycling plastic reduces air, water, and ground pollution.

• One benefit of making clothes from recycled bottles is that it keep the bottles and other plastics from occupying landfill space.

• It takes 30% less energy to make clothes from recycled plastics than from virgin polyesters.

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- Cons

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• Clothes made from plastic isn't heat-resistant, sometimes causing it to melt.

• Material may feel cheap depending on production.

 

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SCOBY

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- Reason -

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SCOBY, more widely known as Kombucha, once

harvested and dried, the resulting material has

a look and feel much like leather. The fibers are

100 percent biodegradable, they also foster a

cradle-to-cradle cycle of reuse and regeneration

that leaves behind virtually zero waste. However,

this material takes a long time to grow about

three to four weeks under lab-controlled conditions.

Hence mass production is an issue. In addition,

tests revealed that moisture absorption from the air softens this material makes it less durable. Researchers also discovered that cold conditions make it brittle.

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+ Pros

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• Has the potential to replace leather, which has been a controversial topic on producing garments for a long time.

• 100 percent biodegradable, they also foster a cradle-to-cradle cycle of reuse and regeneration that leaves behind virtually zero waste.

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- Cons

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• This material takes a long time to grow about three to four weeks under lab-controlled conditions.

• Cannot be mass produced.

• Not durable.

• Cold weather may make this material brittle.

 

QMilk

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- Reason -

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Qmilch GmbH, a German company has innovated a

process to produce a textile fiber from casein in milk but it

cannot be used for consumption. Qmilk fiber is made from

100% renewable resources. In addition, for the production

of 1 kg of fiber Qmilch GmbH needs only 5 minutes and

max. 2 liters of water. This implies a particular level

of cost efficiency and ensures a minimum of CO2 emissions. 

Qmilk fiber is biodegradable and leaves no traces. In

addition, it is naturally antibacterial, especially against the

bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas

aeruginosa and is ideal for people that suffer from textile

allergies. Fabrics made from Qmilk fiber provide high wearing

comfort and a silky feel. The organic fiber is tested for harmful

substances and dermatologically tested for the wearer’s skin

and body compatibility 0% chemical additives.

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+ Pros

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• Qmilk fiber is made from 100% renewable resources.

• In addition, for the production of 1 kg of fiber Qmilch GmbH needs only 5 minutes and max. 2 liters of water. This implies a particular level of cost efficiency and ensures a minimum of CO2 emissions.

• Qmilk fiber is biodegradable and leaves no traces.

• In addition, it is naturally antibacterial, especially against the bacterial strains.

• Ideal for people that suffer from textile allergies.

• Soft material.

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- Cons

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• No known cons.

 

Scafé

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- Reason -

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S.Café technology involves recycling used

ground coffee beans into yarns. A piece of

S.Café fabric is made with less energy in

the process and is able to mask body odor.

In addition, S.Café yarn offers 200% faster

drying time compared to conventional

cotton, with the ability to save energy in

the process. S. Café coffee grounds come

with numerous microscopic pores, which

create a long-lasting natural and chemical free shield for yarn or fiber, reflecting UV rays and provide a comfortable outdoor experience.

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+ Pros

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• A piece of S.Café fabric is made with less energy in the process.

• Able to mask body odor.

• S.Café yarn offers 200% faster drying time compared to conventional cotton, with the ability to save energy in the process.

• Long-lasting natural and chemical free shield for yarn or fiber, reflecting UV rays and provide a comfortable outdoor experience.

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- Cons

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• No known cons.

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