By: Daisy Hemmen
You may already be aware of the negative impacts the fashion industry has on the environment. Pollution, unsustainable production, and mountains of barely-loved clothes in landfills are just some of the serious problems.
This has led to a renewed fashion industry focus on sustainable fashion manufacturing practices, starting with material selection—and viscose fiber is one of the many new entrants to the raw material fabric market.
You may have a lot of questions when it comes to viscose. The questions might include if viscose is biodegradable, does viscose shrink, or is viscose a good material. But let’s start with this question: is traditional viscose eco-friendly?
Because viscose fiber is derived from natural raw material sources, it’s definitely more sustainable than its synthetic counterparts. However, the sustainability of a particular viscose fabric depends on the way it’s sourced and processed. In this short guide, we’ll explain the ins and outs of natural fiber viscose.
What is viscose?
First things first—what is traditional viscose?
The natural fiber viscose is a soft and sustainable fabric made from plant-based cellulose that is spun into yarns. Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls and can be derived from sources including:1
- Wood
- Bamboo
- Seaweed
How does wood or bamboo become a soft, silky, and eco friendly fabric? In short, the plant matter is treated with chemicals to form a viscous liquid (hence the name viscose), which is reshaped before it congeals into a mostly-cellulose yarn. That yarn can then be woven to create sustainable fabric.
While viscose is made from natural materials, the use of chemical processors makes this sustainable fashion fabric semi-synthetic. Nonetheless, viscose’s plant-based roots make it surprisingly similar to fabrics woven from natural fibers. Viscose fiber looks like silk and feels like recycled cotton, making it a soft and versatile cloth.
What makes viscose eco-friendly?
Is viscose sustainable compared to other options on the market?
While chemicals play a role in the production of viscose fibre, most of the matter is derived from natural sources, giving viscose some potential advantages over synthetic fibers and even some natural fibers.
Is viscose environmentally friendly compared to these options? It all depends on the source from which it was derived.
Not all viscose is created equal
How do you know if your viscose garment is sustainable?
Viscose does not add microplastics to the environment. However, its relative advantages to cotton and other natural fibers vary based on its plant source and the farming methods employed.
Some viscose is made with wood pulp. In this case, trees are harvested for their cellulose. Without responsible planting and growing practices, deforestation can upset the balance and health of the ecosystem in a forest, putting animals and plants at risk.
However, cloth made from fast-growing plants like bamboo can actually have a positive impact on the natural environment. Bamboo requires much less water than cotton and carries additional benefits:
- Bamboo adds oxygen to the environment—in fact, 30% more than an equal area of trees.
- It’s also fast-growing and can gain up to a meter in height in just a single day.
- Unlike some other crops, bamboo adds nutrients to the soil and prevents soil erosion.
Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified viscose products that come from sustainably managed land.
Is viscose biodegradable?
Because viscose is derived from natural sources, and in some cases contains no chemicals in the final product, it can be biodegradable, breaking down in about one year.
However, keep in mind that this applies only to 100% viscose fabric—and just like cotton, hemp, and linen, viscose is often mixed with acrylic or spandex to ensure form-fitting stretch.
Viscose’s body-friendly benefits
Sustainably-farmed bamboo viscose can have benefits for planet earth. But how does it actually feel to wear? Viscose is:
- Breathable, light, and airy, making it the perfect fabric for summer essentials, sustainable underwear, and other sustainable clothing staples.
- Super absorbent, which is important for activewear
- Hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with more sensitive skin. This is due to the fabric’s low permeability.
Boody’s bamboo viscose
Here at Boody, we prioritize sustainable fashion and eco-friendly design for our bamboo-derived viscose. We are anti-fast fashion and aim for the highest standards in environmental stewardship.
Our organically grown bamboo is never treated with pesticides, fertilizers, or artificial irrigation, making the entire process healthy and sustainable for the environment.
We love spreading the word about bamboo benefits. Our bamboo viscose essentials are incredibly breathable, soft, and eco-friendly, created with your comfort in mind. So go ahead, do something nice for yourself and planet earth—stock up on bamboo viscose staples with styles ranging from men’s bamboo shirts, to women’s underwear, women's bras, socks, and more!
About the Author:
Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.
Sources:
- Treehugger. What is viscose fabric? https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-viscose-fabric-5070642
- Blue Green Tomorrow. The terrifying effects of polyester on our environment and health. https://blueandgreentomorrow.com/environment/terrifying-effects-of-polyester-on-environment-health/
- World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton
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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
