Bamboo is a versatile plant that has gained popularity in recent years due to its comfort and use in "sustainable clothing". The plant is known for its fast growth and low maintenance, making it an environmentally friendly choice for clothing production. What are the benefits of using bamboo in sustainable clothing and why is it becoming an increasingly popular choice for designers and consumers? And what is our motivation at that The Driftwood Tales not to use bamboo as a raw material?

 

How is bamboo fabric made?

To make textiles from the bamboo plantyou have to break thebamboo stems into a pulp. That bamboo pulp is then processed into fibers, the fibers are spun into yarns. And this is how the different types of fabrics are woven.

There are two main types of bamboo fabrics: bamboo viscose and bamboo linen. Bamboo viscose is made using a chemical process that breaks down the bamboo pulp and turns it into a soft, silky fabric. Bamboo linand is made using a mechanical process that crushes the bamboo fibers and weaves them into a rougher, more textured fabric.

And that's just the problem. As a consumer you see soft beautiful fabrics made from a raw material thatenvironmentally friendly (because fast growth, little water, no pesticides), witheight and comfortable(but unfortunately that is the chemical bamboo viscose variant), bamboo fabric breathesand is anti-bacterieel (there is nothing to argue about),durable(the fabric is strong and resilient),hypoallergenic (the substanceis less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions) and it is alsoUV resistant.

 

Innovation

Bamboo fabric is still a relatively new material in the fashion industry, which means there is a lot of potential for innovation (read: chemical free processing) from pulveriwithing those bamboo stems to get soft fabric.

We warmly welcome innovation; but this chemical process is one reason why we do not yet offer bamboo viscose as a sustainable alternative, because it simply isn't.

Chemicals
The soft bamboo fabric is made witha chemical process that uses heavy chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide. These chemicalsare harmful to both workers and the environment.

Land use
Although bamboo is a fast-growing plant that requires little maintenance, it still requires land to grow on. As demand for bamboo increases, there is a risk that more land will be cleared for bamboo plantations, which could have negative impacts on local ecosystems and communities.

 
Transport and supply chain
Bamboo is not always grown or processed locally, which means it has to be transported long distances to get to the clothing manufacturers. This can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and increase the carbon footprint of the clothing. As with any material used in the fashion industry, there is a risk that bamboo fabric may be produced in an unethical or unsustainable way. Without transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, it can be difficult for consumers to know if the bamboo clothing they buy is truly sustainable.

shelf life
Although bamboo is generally considered sustainable, it cannot last as long as other natural fibers such as cotton or wool. Some bamboo fabrics may pill or lose their shape over time, requiring more frequent replacement and creating more waste.

 

Finally

For us, the advantages do not yet outweigh the disadvantages. Certainly because there are other more ecologically friendly alternatives such as organic cotton, of course dyed, processed and fairly assembled by people in anecologicallyresponsibleway.

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