Jun
30
2009

Corporate responsibility and textile alternatives for a healthier planet.

Corporate responsibility in relation to conference bags needs to focus as much on the impact on the environment from a production process perspective as it does on the impact to the environment, from their use and eventual disposal. By examining all available textiles a corporation can best judge the impact in relation to achieving the friendliest on the environment.

A company known as Identity Links has been focusing on the “Going Green” issue and believes that corporations need to be not only promoting its products and services, but also its commitment to our planet. With this in mind the company has introduced a new eco-friendly material to the promotional products buyer, “Jute”.

An all natural material made entirely from plant fibers’, has more uses than cotton. Entirely durable and a prime eco-friendly, it is reusable for many years. The range comes in several different color combinations, and is only one of the many wonderfully chic eco-friendly bags. This bag can serve many purposes: purse, shopping bag, grocery bag, conference bag, etc.

Other preferred Textile Fibers’

Natural plant fibers’ such as Cotton, Flax, Hemp, & Jute

Whereas Nylon and polyester man made fibers’ can be discarded, but as we are now very aware, their disposal is more damaging to the environment than other more natural products. We are therefore left with a number of options to consider.

Plant Fibers’ of which all are 100% biodegradable. In this article we will look more closely at just one option.

COTTON is a soft unicellular hair fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. It is a tropical plant which is native to more than 60 countries of which China is the largest producer followed by America.

Cotton can be woven or knitted. It can also be turned into flannel, corduroy, muslin, and a variety of other fabrics used so universally that the American Cotton Council uses “the fabric of our lives” as a tag line.

Cotton also carries environmental controversy, particularly in the developing world, where dangerous pesticides are heavily employed. Cotton is subject to infestation, and therefore many growers heavily douse the plant in pesticides that are harmful to human and animal health, as well as herbicides to eliminate competition for resources.

A number of producers also genetically modify the plant, which many outside the industry view as a questionable practice. Cotton also has very large water requirements, which may place stress on nations with limited water resources. The processing of cotton is also a lengthy and complex process involving washing, boiling and bleaching all of which require temperature control. The finishing processes also involve starching and further chemical treatment. As a result, the production of cotton is heavily criticized for its damaging impact on the environment.

In the late 20th century, there was a push for organic, sustainable cotton grown and harvested without the use of pesticides and human exploitation. This cotton is significantly more expensive than conventionally farmed cotton, however, and may not be practical for most consumers.

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Written by admin in: Corporate Awareness, Responsible Processes | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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