Recycled fabrics. Organic fabrics. Non-toxic, hypoallergenic. Greenguard. Oeko-tex Standard. Cradle to Cradle Certified…
What does it all mean?
If you are concerned with making your home and working environment eco-friendly (or I love the term “future-friendly”) I’m including an overview here to give you some valuable information pertaining to fabrics. At PBID, we specialize in greening your interior spaces as an important part of our interior design service.
Recycled fabrics are often produced from a high percentage of post-consumer recycled polyester (even plastic bottles), petroleum byproducts, recycled cotton, recycled silk, and soybean husks
Organic fabrics are produced without toxic chemicals during all stages of the production process from fiber to fabric yardage.
It’s worth it to check out the websites for these certification groups, as they are full of valuable information:
- http://www.greenguard.org “The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) was founded in 2001 with the mission of improving human health and quality of life by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing people’s exposure to chemicals and other pollutants. In keeping with that mission, GEI certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions and provides a free resource for choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments.” You will see this listed on many products from fabrics, to manufactured window shades, to products used in schools and hospitals.
- http://www.oeko-tex.com
Confidence in textiles – this has been the motto of the independent test institutes of the International Oeko-Tex® Associationsince 1992, with their tests for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 for textile products of all types which pose no risk whatsoever to health.For companies in the textile and clothing industry, the Oeko-Tex® criteria catalogue provides for the very first time a uniform, scientifically founded evaluation standard for the human ecological safety of textiles, against the background of the globalised and extremely fragmented nature of the textile manufacturing chain.The Oeko-Tex® label indicates to interested end users the additional benefits of tested safety for skin-friendly clothing and other textiles. In this way, the test label provides an important decision-making tool when purchasing textiles.Confidence in textiles – an international synonym for responsible textile production – from the raw material to the finished product on the shop shelves. For industry and retailers throughout the textile manufacturing chain just as well as for users of fashionable, functional, colourful textiles.
- http://www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm “Remaking the way we make things.” McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry MBDC, employs eco-effective strategies that promote the reuse of products at the end of their life, eliminating product waste. A Cradle to Cradle Certified product has been evaluated for its human health, environmental health, life cycle attributes, renewable energy, water stewardship and social responsibility.
To gain in-depth knowledge of organic fabrics, I highly recommend spending some time on the oecotextiles.com website.
“O Ecotextiles wants to change the way textiles are made by proving that it’s possible to produce luxurious, sensuous fabrics in ways that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable.” This website offers beautiful organic fabrics with an explanation of the hows and whys regarding organic textiles.
nature photography by PBID Interior Design.
Lots to think about…better choices mean healthier environments in which to live and work.
