Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic chemicals. This includes pesticides and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Cotton is a water consuming plant, but since pesticides are not used, the soil has more natural nutrition and therefore it needs less water over time. Some argue that it needs more water, since you cannot protect the plant.

PROS
No use of harmful chemicals which is good for the environment
Better conditions for the farmers' economic situation because they don’t rely on big agrochemical companies
Better conditions for the farmers health because they are not exposed to as many chemicals
Better biodiversity

CONS
Uses a lot of water

Organic cotton certified by Global Organic Textile Standard is as good as it can get within the cotton category. The production method is the same as organic cotton, but with a certification process throughout the supply chain using Scope and Transaction certifificates. Learn more about GOTS and our certification here.

PROS
Full transparency
No use of harmful chemicals
Better conditions for the farmers and workers

CONS
A lot of administration in managing the certification
The price of the organic cotton and the certification

Recycled cotton is cotton material made from cut-offs when cutting the fabric from the design pattern. The fabric is ripped into smaller pieces, carded and spun into a new thread to be weaved into a new fabric.

PRODUCTION
01. The fabric is ripped into smaller pieces
02. The pieces are carded
03. This is spun into a new thread
04. The thred is weaved into a new fabric

PROS
The use of waste materials to create new products enables a circular industry

CONS
Virgin cotton must be added to ensure a good quality

Cotton derives from the cotton plant and is grown in more than 80 countries around the world. Cotton is a very water consuming plant and is often protected from insects by using pesticides. Cotton can also be treated with GMO’s, to ensure a larger outcome of the individual plant.

PROS
Strong and breathable fiber
A natural fiber

CONS
The use of chemicals that are bad for the environment
Potential loss of biodiversity
Uses a lot of water

Wool is sheared from sheep.

PRODUCTION
01. The sheep is sheared of its wool
02. The wool is cleaned and sorted into bales (treated with chemicals)
03. The fibers are made into long strands
04. The long strands are spun into yarn
05. The yarn is woven or knitted into a fabric
06. The fabric is dyed and/or printed
07. The fabric is cut and sewn

PROS
Wool is very sustainable in the use-phase, since it is not washed as often and you tend to care much for your wool product
A natural fiber

CONS
Uses vast amounts of land for the animal to grass
The methane gas from the sheep releases CO2
Water is used to clean fibers

TENCEL™ is Lenzing's brand for it's Lyocell fibers. The wood used in production comes from certified sustainably managed forests. The production process is similar to viscose, but made using non-toxic organic solvents. The solvents are recycled in a closed-loop system, recycling up to 99 PCT. of the water and chemicals.

PROS
Wood from certified sustainably managed forests
Produced in a closed-loop system
Almost 100% of the water and solvents used can be captured and reused
A strong fiber

Viscose is a man-made regenerated cellulose fiber made from dissolved wood pulp from trees. The wood pulp for LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose comes from certified sustainably managed forests. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers are produced using a fiber identification technology, making it possible to identify the fiber in the end-product. The production process is similar to viscose, but produced with lower emissions and water impact compared to conventional viscose. LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.

PROS
Up to 50 PCT. less carbon emissions, compared to generic viscose
Up to 50 PCT. less water used than for other generic viscose types
Wood from certified sustainably managed forests
Fiber technology to trace the fiber up to the final product
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibers are certified with the EU Ecolabel for textile products