Eco-friendly clothing represents a new growth opportunity for companies operating in the fashion sector. By making and selling clothing made from natural or recycled materials, it is possible to satisfy an increasingly dense market demand of “ethical” consumers who are attentive to environmental issues.
In recent years, the concepts of sustainability and circular economy no longer represent a constraint but an opportunity for growth for companies operating in any sector. Demonstrating to operate in a moral way and by selling environmentally friendly products, allows companies to obtain an important competitive advantage over other competitors, since the number of consumers oriented to make environmentally friendly purchases is constantly increasing.
This “green” revolution couldn’t fail to involve the world of fashion, which has perfectly adapted to the concept of sustainable development.
The recycled plastic fabric from the OXYDE collection for a plastic free future
The OXYDE collection perfectly embodies the concept of circular economy which aims to minimize waste. In this regard, the OXYDE collection aims to contribute to the reduction of the phenomenon of plastic waste that populate seas and oceans.
The entire collection, in fact, is entirely made with REPREVE material, obtained from the recycling of plastic bottles collected on more than 5000 beaches around the world. REPREVE material, obtained from post-consumer plastic bottles, is able to absorb moisture, is elastic and has a high degree of softness. These characteristics make it perfectly compatible with the creation of sustainable and green clothing.
Considering the problem related to plastic waste that damage aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and, consequently, human health, initiatives such as those described in the OXYDE collection are essential to contribute to the reduction of the phenomenon of pollution caused by plastics and microplastics.
At the basis of sustainable clothing, however, there are also a series of natural materials, capable of minimizing the environmental impacts attributable to the fashion sector.
Hemp, bamboo and organic cotton: these are the natural materials for sustainable clothing
Sustainable clothing is based on the use of materials of natural origin treated in a biological way and characterized by a production process compatible with environmental protection.
Hemp, for example, is a plant with a thousand resources that fits perfectly among the materials at the base of sustainable clothing. In fact, from hemp it is possible to make high quality fabrics. Its main feature is its high resistance, but at the same time it is able to absorb humidity and perform the function of thermoregulator, absorbing or releasing heat according to the body temperature. The fabric has the ability to protect the body from UV rays and hinders the birth of bacteria thanks to its anti-microbial function. Also, to make the fabric softer and more elastic, hemp could be used together with other materials such as organic cotton.
Bamboo, like hemp, is a sustainable plant, which does not require large quantities of water to be cultivated, chemical treatments and is able to restore soils and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide. Being 100% biodegradable it is used in many sectors, such as in the textile industry. The fabric obtained from bamboo has unique characteristics. In addition to being a natural and sustainable material, it is soft like cotton and similar to silk to the touch. As in the case of hemp, the bamboo fabric has an anti-microbial function, as a thermoregulator and as a protection against UV rays. It is also able to absorb moisture and is a fabric suitable for those with greater skin sensitivity, thanks to its hypoallergenic function.
As for organic cotton, however, it is a sustainable and ecological alternative to standard cotton. The cotton plant grown with traditional methods involves the use of chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, which are extremely harmful to the environment. The organic cultivation of cotton, in addition to avoiding exploiting the land and then abandoning it, allows to minimize the waste of water and resources, abolishing the use of chemicals. To be sure that the item of clothing we are buying is made with organic criteria, there must be a certificate that certifies the sustainability of the entire production process, up to the labeling of the finished product. The most widely used certificate in the world is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Therefore, the textile sector is also adapting to the need to minimize polluting emissions and environmental impacts.
Such a change was caused not only by the need to reduce emissions in this sector as well, but also by consumers search for clothing made with natural or recycled materials which, in addition to having characteristics and properties not inferior to traditional materials , they do not contain polluting and harmful chemicals for the environment.
