Eco-Friendly Fabric Solutions: Pursuing a More Sustainable Route Towards a Greener Tomorrow
Week of Zero Waste kicks off from September 4th to 8th, an annual campaign that's been gaining traction since its inception in 2008, encouraging businesses, homes, schools, and community groups worldwide to reduce their waste and protect the environment.
The Zero Waste movement, a solution for the textile industry's vast waste problem, gained momentum in the late 20th century. Bea Johnson, in her book Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste, emphasizes the 5 principles of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot, famously known as the 5 Rs.
Textile Waste: A Major Issue
The textile and fashion industry contribute significantly to landfill, with approximately 92 million tons of textile waste generated yearly – the equivalent of a rubbish truck of clothes being dumped every second[2]. To address this issue, we at Fabrics Galore aim to highlight the importance of zero-waste initiatives in fashion.
Zero Waste Projects: The Solution
A true zero-waste project or pattern is one that uses 100% of the fabric, resulting in no scraps or leftovers necessary to create a single product[3]. Designers reuse leftover fabric scraps or yarns to make new items, such as bags, minimizing waste while maximizing resources and saving money.
Sustainable Choices for Fabrics
Certain fabric choices contribute to zero waste as they can either be recycled or are biodegradable[4]. Examples include organic cotton, bamboo, TENCEL, Modal, and ECOVERO. Although these fabrics are sustainable, it's crucial to aim for zero waste when purchasing and sewing with them.
Fabrics not Recyclable
Synthetic fabrics, primarily made from petroleum products (like polyester, acrylic, and nylon), cannot be recycled[4]. Though they cannot be recycled, it's essential to remember that they can be repurposed or upcycled, providing a better alternative than sending them to landfill.
Zero Waste Production Processes
Eliminating textile waste can be achieved with a zero-waste approach, common in the circular economy. This approach emphasizes upholding-zero-waste principles through the entire fabric's lifecycle and eliminating toxic waste at manufacturing sites[5].
Choose fabrics that meet the global OEKO-TEX 100 standard, ensuring that no harmful chemicals have been used in their production.
By implementing eco-design principles, cleaner production methods, and inventory control, fabric manufacturers can significantly move towards zero-waste manufacturing. Fabric manufacturers should also encourage their buyers to recycle or repurpose any leftover fabric and garments.
Traditional garments such as the saree and kimono serve as zero-waste examples, where no remnant of fabric is left unused.
The Roake Studio, a clothing manufacturer that practice zero-waste garment production in small batches, bundles and sells all their offcuts in large bags for a flat fee[3].
Creative Uses for Fabric Scraps and Remnants
We at Fabrics Galore love to see the creativity of our sewing community in repurposing fabric scraps and remnants. Using scattered fabric pieces, you can create bunting, cushion covers, fabric notice boards, draft excluders, gifts for friends and family (such as glasses cases, make-up bags, scrunchies, or dog neckties), or even patchwork quilting projects[3].
Embracing a Sustainable Wardrobe
A sustainable wardrobe consists of versatile, timeless pieces that you can wear again and again, using trans-seasonal fabrics that can be worn alone or layered in cooler weather. An eco-friendly wardrobe should include fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo, which are recyclable, or from linens, which tend to last a long time.
Zero Waste and Sewing Bee
In the popular Great British Sewing Bee, a Reduce, Re-use and Recycle Week is always included. This year, contestants were faced with challenges to create zero-waste pairs of trousers, as well as making garments from tote bags and fitted outfits from crochet blankets[4].
What is Zero Waste Draping?
In the world of pattern making, zero-waste draping is a technique where fabric is draped directly over a model or mannequin, creatively utilizing 100% of the fabric. This method is more commonly used in the sustainable fashion competition, the Redress Design Award.
Zero Waste Sewing Patterns
Zero-waste patterns feature pattern cutting that optimizes the use of fabric, resulting in no leftovers when the pattern pieces are cut. Successful pioneers like Birgitta Helmersson have developed many zero-waste pattern books[5].
What Fabrics Galore does to Encourage Zero Waste
At Fabrics Galore, we offer reduced-price remnants from our permanent remnant bin in the shop, donate unsold remnants to local schools for craft projects, work with the charity Project Linus, and cooperate with suppliers to sell quality deadstock fabric[3].
Living a Greener Future
Small actions, like repairing and patching damaged garments, upcycling, re-purposing, donating unwanted garments, and choosing sustainable fabrics for new purchases, contribute to a greener future. Though we may not be able to live a 100% zero-waste life, we can all make strides to work towards the ZW goal.
Share your zero-waste initiatives with us, and we will feature the best ideas on our social media pages to inspire others.
- The Week of Zero Waste, an annual campaign, encourages businesses, homes, schools, and community groups globally to reduce waste and protect the environment.
- Bea Johnson, in her book Zero Waste Home, emphasizes the 5 principles of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot, also known as the 5 Rs.
- In the textile and fashion industry, approximately 92 million tons of textile waste are generated yearly, the equivalent of a rubbish truck of clothes being dumped every second.
- A true zero-waste project or pattern uses 100% of the fabric, resulting in no scraps or leftovers to create a single product.
- Certain fabric choices, like organic cotton, bamboo, TENCEL, Modal, and ECOVERO, are sustainable and either biodegradable or recyclable.
- Synthetic fabrics, primarily made from petroleum products, cannot be recycled but can be repurposed or upcycled.
- Zero-waste production processes emphasize upholding zero-waste principles throughout the fabric's lifecycle and eliminating toxic waste at manufacturing sites.
- Embracing a sustainable wardrobe involves choosing versatile, timeless pieces made from recyclable fabrics or those that last a long time, such as linens.
