Organic cotton cultivation is based on long-term and sustainable methods. The cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers. Choosing organic cotton over traditionally grown cotton means making a choice that is better for cotton farmers as well as the environment.
Recycled cotton is made from cotton waste that is reprocessed into a high-quality yarn. The benefits of using a pre-existing fiber are that water, energy and chemical use are drastically reduced. In addition, no pesticides are required and no arable land is used.
Lyocell is a cellulose fibre made from fast-growing eucalyptus and other woods from sustainably managed forests where cultivation requires only 5% of the water used in traditional cotton farming. The fibre is produced in a closed loop process, in which almost all of the water and chemicals are reused.
For our bras, tights and leggings we use Q-nova®, a yarn made from recycled industrial waste. For our swimwear we use ECONYL®. This yarn is made of post-consumer waste like old fishing nets and industrial waste that has been re-generated into new yarn. By using fabrics made of recycled materials we are helping to reduce landfills while saving the planet's natural resources of crude oil.
The fleece we use in our collection is made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s a material that requires less energy to make than traditional polyester – yet another way to reduce our environmental footprint.
MICROPLASTICS IN THE OCEANS AND IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
All textiles release fibers when washed, but to different extents. When a fleece garment is washed, it releases microplastics. Microplastic pollution is an issue that is currently being intensively discussed on a global level, and there is an increased awareness of how microplastics in the oceans pose a threat to our marine environment.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT AS A CONSUMER
Many people wash their clothes too often, which is unnecessarily hard on both one's clothes and the environment. As long as a garment is not too badly soiled it is often enough to air out the garment instead of washing it. To minimize the spread of microplastics when washing fleece garments, we recommend that the garment be washed before use. We also recommend using a short and gentle wash cycle to minimize the release of microplastics.
RESEARCH FOR THE FUTURE
There are currently a number of tests taking place on how many fibers different fabrics release and what factors affect that. Since we would rather be part of the solution than the problem in the future of the textile industry, we are currently participating in two research projects in collaboration with Mistra Future Fashion. One of the projects is specifically about microplastics, with the goal of providing knowledge and finding new, more environmentally optimal solutions for the fashion industry.