I have been over at Green Sage Learning Center, and brought back a ton of information. This part is a history lesson of sorts.....I am sharing with you. Those of us who work with textiles and have focused on creating green products to sell need to learn what works for us. We think green, buy green and sell green in our shops and in our homes. I have learned that once we start we will walk the talk naturally.
At ecoVogue365 blog there is a lot of hip, up-to date and fun stuff.
Before 5,000 B.C., experimentation with other natural materials produced the first basic woven fabrics and cloths. Then the first cloths came which consisted of plant fibers from hemp and flax and animal fibers such as wool.
For centuries hand weaving was the only production method. The spinning wheel developed in India and the technology traveled to Europe by the 14th Century. Not until 1733 with the invention of the flying shuttle, and the subsequent need for spinning to keep up with it, did production begin to increase significantly. The invention of the steam engine, and its adoption by the textile industry began the industrial revolution. (uh, oh).
For centuries hand weaving was the only production method. The spinning wheel developed in India and the technology traveled to Europe by the 14th Century. Not until 1733 with the invention of the flying shuttle, and the subsequent need for spinning to keep up with it, did production begin to increase significantly. The invention of the steam engine, and its adoption by the textile industry began the industrial revolution. (uh, oh).
Conventional synthetic fabrics for the home and office....where we work, sleep, breathe and spend most of our hours are usually chemically treated for fire retardancy, water- and soil-repellancy and permanent press qualities — all of which can outgas VOCs (or volatile organic compounds).
Sustainability criteria include textiles that are not made or treated with hazardous chemicals, use no formaldehyde nor have VOC-emitting materials.
We can look for natural fiber fabrics — some are manufactured to be biodegradable (for example felt byproducts sold to Swiss farmers who use it as insulation for their crops), or specify fabrics made from recycled content or are recyclable (such as recycled polyesters and nylons).
Over 4 million tons of post-consumer textiles enter the waste stream every year, mostly going to landfill. Only 1 million tons are collected for recycling. About 25,000 tons of new textile fiber is disposed of each year by manufacturers and mills.
Over 4 million tons of post-consumer textiles enter the waste stream every year, mostly going to landfill. Only 1 million tons are collected for recycling. About 25,000 tons of new textile fiber is disposed of each year by manufacturers and mills.
Be sure to check out the Green Teams on Etsy and shop there often. Shop using keywork TeamEcoEtsy sellers are committed to reusing, recycling, fair trade, creating with sustainable fabrics, going paperless,
Kathy
