What is a "Closed-Loop" Dyeing Process?
Traditional methods of dyeing and producing clothing can be harmful to the environment. With their toxic dyes and wasteful processes using water, it is time for companies to make a change. Terrera uses a ‘closed-loop’ dyeing process to dye its fabrics before making them into the garments you wear! This process is a sustainable alternative to traditional methods which in turn, saves water, and reuses used dyes.
What is a closed-loop dyeing process?
Essentially, a closed-loop process means that in the production process, materials are used over and over instead of one time. In a fabric dyeing scenario, this means that when a batch of fabric is dyed, that water and chemicals used to dye the clothing is recycled and used again to dye another batch of fabric.
How does this dyeing process differ from regular dyeing processes?
Fast fashion brands over produce their clothing, which means using more chemicals and water usage for dyeing their fabrics. Current fabric dyeing methods pose a big threat to our environment - their main issues being excess water usage and pollution. Each fabric is dyed differently, but one specific fabric uses more water than others - cotton. With the amount of water used, cotton also requires a vast amount of energy to heat up the water necessary for the process of processing the fabric (Source: PlugandPlay Tech Center)
Why is it important for sustainable practices?
The current methods for dyeing fabrics are wasteful and negatively impactful to our environment. The pollution from chemicals releasing into freshwater sources and over-usage of water needs to end. There is a high need for companies to turn to sustainable dyeing processes and leave wasteful and polluting processes behind. Closed-loop dyeing processes allow companies to recapture the chemicals used to process fabrics while also decreasing the amount of water used. Terrera not only uses a closed-loop dyeing process, but also uses low-impact non-toxic, hypoallergenic, Oeko-Tex 100 certified dyes. They contain no toxic chemicals or mordants (which fix the dye to the fabric) and require less rinsing and water usage. These dyes also have a high absorption rate in our fabrics, which makes it a better choice for the people, and our planet.
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