Sustainability
Amid the shock and uncertainty that the fashion sector is facing during the COVID-19 crisis, there is a silver lining for the environment: two-thirds of surveyed consumers state that it has become even more important to limit impacts on climate change. Additionally, 88 percent of respondents believe that more attention should be paid to reducing pollution.
In practice, consumers have already begun changing their behaviors accordingly. Of consumers surveyed, 57 percent have made significant changes to their lifestyles to lessen their environmental impact, and more than 60 percent report going out of their way to recycle and purchase products in environmentally friendly packaging
At Vreen we reduce our footprint byย making our clothes atย ย local manufactories, sourcing eco and organic fabrics, using eco friendly buttons and usingย eco packaging.
Sustainable, Eco and Organic Fabrics/trims
Sustainable fabric causes less (or no) damage to the environment or society throughout its lifecycle of design, manufacturing, and subsequent disposal. They are usually made from natural or recycled materials. Although no single material is 100% sustainable, the benefits of adopting better fabric choices will show with immediate and lasting results.
The global eco fiber industry isย worthย USD 40.38 billionย in 2020 and growing at a rapid pace. Some of the most popular and effective choices are listed below:
- Bamboo: the natural shoots grow quickly and regenerate without the need for fertilization. Heralded for its absorbance, comfort, and relative durability, it can be used in a variety of industries. However, harvesting can cause issues.
- Hemp: this variant of the cannabis plant is very durable and can be used as a substitute for cotton and other fabrics. While it is costly, it has a lot of attributes that make it a popular choice for eco-friendly fashion.
- Linen: made from flax, linen creates zero material waste as all elements can be used. While it can be expensive, the material is also 100% biodegradable. So, when processed without the use of chemicals, itโs a very safe choice.
- Lyocell: many businesses know this as Tencel, which is a brand name. The material is made from tree pulp and is a type of rayon thatย
- Wool: Compostable, natural, and free from plastic fibers, wool is a great option. However, as with many of the potentially sustainable fabrics, the way itโs produced and handled will be telling. The fabric has great insulation properties.
Reduced carbon footprint
The production of synthetic upholstery fabric also results in a large carbon footprint, as petroleum-based upholstering material is burned during the manufacturing process. This release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere contributes to climate change.
In comparison, sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics made from natural materials have a much lower carbon footprint than synthetic fabrics, as they do not require the burning of fossil fuels during their production.
Safe for human health
Many synthetic fabrics are treated with chemicals such as flame retardants, stain repellents, and wrinkle-resistant finishes that can be harmful to human health. These chemicals can be released into the environment when synthetic fabrics are washed, and they can also be absorbed through the skin when we wear them.
In contrast, sustainable and eco-friendly upholstery fabric is not treated with these chemicals, making them safer for human health, as well as the environment.
Better for animal welfare
Sustainable and eco-friendly upholstery fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, wool, and alpaca are made from natural fibres that are sourced responsibly and do not require harsh chemical treatments. This makes them better for animal welfare than synthetic options.ย
What's more, these upholstery materials are biodegradable and require less energy to produce than synthetic fur. As a result, they can help reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry while still providing a luxurious and stylish product.
Corozo buttons
Corozo nut, or โvegetable ivoryโ, imported from Equador and Panama, first appeared in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. Tagua (corozo) grows most abundantly on the coast of Ecuador.ย
The scientific name for corozo is โPhitelepha Macrocarpaโ. It is similar to a palm although botanically it belongs to the Cicantacee family. Its trunk can grow up to six metres and it only begins to bear fruit after fourteen years. It can live for centuries and it bears fruit just once a year. At the top of the trunk there are between 11 and 21 leaves which yield 12 nuts weighing around 13Kg, each one containing 8 seeds of various sizes which will be made into different products, including the small round shapes for buttons.
The fruit is picked by hand when it is ripe and falls from the tree. When it is soft, the seed can be eaten like a coconut. It contains liquid which eventually solidifies until it becomes very hard.
After picking the corozo it is left to dry naturally in the sun with its skin on until it sheds the outer layer. This process takes between 60 & 90 days.
After this time, farmers come and remove the remaining skin; they do this in the traditional way, beating the seeds with a wooden stick. The nuts are then graded according to size and are stored in a dry place. They are then treated against moths, which would damage them during this short time they are stored. With the aid of circular shears the nuts are then cut into slices. This operation is carried out by hand and the nut is held in such a way as to obtain the biggest slice, which takes extreme skill on the part of the worker in order to avoid any unfortunate injuries! These slices are then graded by size and then left to dry for a further 40 days to get rid of excess moisture. After this time the slices are selected according to itโs features and are put onto the lathe and made into circles according to size. Once produced these circles are graded according to quality and size and packed into jute bags. The jute bags are then sent to our factories where the circles are taken out and placed into button turning machines, and the shape is then formed/turned to the customerโs requirements!
Corozo has a colour similar to ivory which is why it called vegetable ivory. Corozo buttons are distinguishable for their attractive veined markings which are brought out by the dyeing process, giving them an elegant marbled effect which makes each button unique! They are light but solid to touch, and can be used to set off unusual fastenings or to compliment the most classic of clothes. A vast majority are used for classic menswear suits.
Corozo is a natural substance which is not harmful to the environment as the waste produced in the manufacturing process, which is 79% edible and digestible, is used in the preparation of animal fodder.
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https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/survey-consumer-sentiment-on-sustainability-in-fashion
ย Eco packaging
Nowadays, we heavily rely on the use of plastic products on a daily basis. The constant use of plastic ensures that we will not be able to recover our environment, but we can at least reduce the impact by switching to greener products.
Our mailers are made from D2W biodegradable materials. The D2W mailers have a typical lifespan of 2 years after production. The plant based mailers have a lifespan of 1 year.
We use recycled boxes and water-activated tape to pack your order.ย
