What are the different eco-responsible materials?

In the face of the rise of fast fashion and its polluting industry, the designers of the Meanwhile Boutique collective are committed to complete transparency regarding the composition and origin of their products. And this starts with the choice of their raw materials.

This article will allow you to understand in more detail some of the materials that make up their products.

OUR NATURAL AND PLANT-BASED MATERIALS:

Bamboo:

Bamboo is a plant grown all over the world. It does not need much water and grows very quickly. In addition to being environmentally friendly, bamboo helps combat greenhouse gases by absorbing harmful gases and releasing 5 times more oxygen than trees. Bamboo is widely used to make accessories such as toothbrushes, straws, and even computer mice. It is the ultimate zero-waste material and a healthier alternative to plastic.

Hemp:

Photo of a hemp leaf

Whether grown organically or not, hemp is a natural and plant-based fiber. Considered one of the most eco-friendly materials in the textile world, its cultivation and processing into fabric do not pollute. Hemp grows like a weed: it requires very little water, grows quickly, and does not need chemicals. It is also resistant to insects and most diseases. Its fiber is very often used in ethical fashion to produce durable, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and highly resistant clothing. France is the leading producer in Europe.

Organic cotton:

Organic cotton comes from organic farming that is much more environmentally friendly than traditional cotton farming. To grow it, farmers use fertilizers and natural insecticides that do not damage the soil or our health. Its main advantage? Its cultivation saves 91% of water. That's huge! It is therefore an excellent alternative to conventional cotton, which requires a significant amount of water.

How can you tell organic cotton apart? It's simple: its organic status is certified through labels such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX Standard, which are the most widely used. Other labels such as Fair Trade Max Havelaar, Ecocert, and Biopartenaire also provide this certification.

Linen:

Photo of flax flowers

Like hemp, whether organic or not, linen is a natural plant-based material. France is the world's leading producer of textile linen. It is mainly grown in temperate climates such as northern France or Belgium. Linen does not need a large amount of water or pesticides to grow. This material is highly renowned for the strength of its fiber. That is why linen is often used to make clothing and household linens.

However, you must always pay close attention to its origin. Even if the plant is described as eco-friendly, it may be sent outside Europe to be turned into clothing. This significantly affects its environmental footprint. The Masters Linen label certifies that from plant to fabric, the linen has not left the continent and that no irrigation or chemicals were used. Regarding organic linen, the GOTS or OEKO-TEX Standard labels indicate whether the fabric comes from organic linen fiber.

Jute:

Jute is a natural plant-based material, biodegradable, and recyclable, grown in low-lying tropical lands. Rainwater is sufficient for its growth, and it requires very little fertilizer and pesticides. The second most grown plant after cotton, jute fiber is renowned for being silky and highly resistant. This material is one of the best eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials for making bags or clothing.

Cork:

Photo of cork

This plant-based and biodegradable material comes from the bark of the cork oak. This tree is mainly found in Portugal, the world's leading producer of cork, with 70% of global production. Cork is harvested with an axe by artisans who have mastered a unique skill. This technique requires meticulousness and patience, as the trees must not be damaged. Its cultivation promotes biodiversity and helps combat climate change. It is estimated that one kilogram of cork can absorb up to 50 kg of CO2! During its cooking and processing, cork does not undergo any chemical treatment. It therefore does not pollute the water.

Piñatex:

Photo of Piñatex leather

Piñatex is a plant-based alternative to animal leather made from waste generated by pineapple farming. It is therefore an upcycled material!
Pineapple fibers are mixed with polylactic acid (a biodegradable polymer) to create loops, which are then colored using organic pigments and reinforced with resin. Unlike animal leather, it is produced under low-pollution conditions and is respectful of people, the environment, and animals. It is valued for its durability, lightness, and resistance to water. Piñatex is often used to make shoes and bags.

Piñatex is not the only plant-based alternative to leather. There are others, such as cork leather, apple, eucalyptus, grape, and mushroom leather.

Pyratex:

Photo of Pyratex fabric

Made from seaweed fibers and wood from renewable resources, Pyratex is highly valued in the textile world for its strength and flexibility. This 100% natural material is an innovative solution to textiles containing chemicals that are harmful to our health.
Pyratex fibers are highly valued for their beneficial properties for the skin. They contain antibacterial agents, regenerate cells, protect against the sun's rays, moisturize, and relieve skin irritation.

Ramie:

Photo of nettle leaves

Often compared to linen and silk, ramie is a plant fiber derived from nettles. Originally from Southeast Asia, it grows in fairly warm and damp climates in rich, cool, well-drained soil. It does not need much water and requires no pesticides or fertilizers to grow. Its fiber, considered a textile alternative to cotton, is mainly grown and harvested for clothing. It also has other properties, such as medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional benefits, making ramie a highly versatile and effective plant.

To read the article on labels, click here.

OUR NON-PLANT-BASED MATERIALS:

Cashmere:

Cashmere is an animal fiber from cashmere goats. These goats are shorn once a year, and for some breeds, simply brushing or shearing once in the summer is enough for the hair to fall off on its own. To create the warm, lightweight material, the undercoat (the long, thick hair) and the fine down are separated to make cashmere. These fibers then undergo the same process as wool: they are washed, bleached, dyed, woven or knitted. Cashmere is used to produce warm, high-quality clothing and accessories such as sweaters, scarves, gloves, socks, and more.

Like wool, cashmere has certain drawbacks (intensification of farming, soil erosion, animal welfare issues, etc.). More environmentally friendly alternatives to cashmere have therefore emerged. Organic cashmere certified by GOTS guarantees its eco-responsibility.

Vegetable-tanned leather:

Photo of leather

Vegetable tanning is a very ancient and natural method used to preserve leather. But be careful: this is not an alternative to plant-based leather! Leather is very often of animal origin; only the tanning process is natural. Tannins come from tree bark, leaves, seeds, roots, or sap from plants. This method is much more environmentally friendly than conventional tanning because it is biodegradable and its processing does not require chemicals. Vegetable tanning is generally used in leatherworking or to harden leather shoes.

Yak Wool:

Photo of a yak

Yak wool comes from the down of the eponymous animal, a long-haired ruminant living in the highlands of the Tibet and Mongolia in the Himalayas. It is highly prized in the world of ethical fashion because its fibers are antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and 100% natural. This animal does not produce grease, meaning the grease it produces does not come into contact with its coat. Thus, its fibers do not need to be treated with chemicals! Its wool creates a very warm and durable material, ideal for winter clothing.

Merino Wool:

Photos of merino sheep

Merino wool comes from a breed of sheep with an abundant, curly coat. They can produce between 4 and 9 kg of wool per year. That's enough to make a lot of clothing! Merino wool is finer than traditional wool. It is also natural, biodegradable, neutralizes odors, and offers UV protection. Like yak wool, it is notably used to make warm winter underwear.

Organic Wool:

Photo of a wool fleece

Unlike synthetic wool, which is found in most fast fashion clothing, organic wool is of animal origin and made from mammal hair (Angora goat, Angora rabbit, alpaca, etc.). It is deodorizing, antibacterial, biodegradable, and very warm. You can recognize it by the small GOTS label on clothing tags. However, not all animal wool is necessarily organic. For wool to be certified "organic", it must be produced by animals raised on an organic farm and according to precise standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture. The golden rule for organic certification is to take animal welfare into account!