Producing a single pair of jeans emits as much greenhouse gas as driving a car for over 80 miles. A single cotton shirt takes 2,700 liters of water to produce, equivalent to the average person’s drinking needs for two and a half years. And clothes made of non-biodegradable fabrics will sit in landfills for more than 200 years.
When we think of plastic, and the destruction plastic causes, synthetic fibers are not usually even considered, though they contribute a great deal.
A 2017 International Union for Conservation of Nature report estimated about 35 percent of the microplastics that enter the ocean come via synthetic textiles.
Israeli brand Tooshaaya is dedicated to the cause of sustainable fashion.
All Tooshaaya fabrics come from nature and are biodegradable. Most are plant-based rather than animal-derived.
Many Tooshaaya garments are made from bamboo and soy yarns, “vegan silk”. Bamboo yarn is extremely sustainable since bamboo grows very fast and does not require that much water. The fabric also has a special tactile quality that makes clothing breathable with a lot of thermal control. Bamboo is perfect for the desert climate of Israel because it can be worn when it’s hot during the day and when it’s cold at night.
Another textile Tooshaaya designers works with is “vegan cashmere.” It is made of soy waste from the tofu industry and shells of edamame combined with cotton and recycled into yarn.
Both bamboo and soy are hypoallergenic and antibacterial, which makes them perfect for sensitive skin.
All of Tooshaaya’s clothes are knitted using a handloom, in keeping with the company’s vision of helping to bring back respect for handcrafts and to make people more mindful of their purchases.
To foster these values, Tooshaaya encourages its clients to bring clothing back for repairs by limiting the charge to the cost of materials only. It has also started making videos so people can repair their own items at home.
To ensure that customers do not discard its pieces after a single season, Tooshaaya focuses on styles that are timeless rather than trendy.
Going vegan has been a popular recent trend, with many making the change due to environmental issues. However, we often do not think of the effect our clothes have on the environment. Whether you are vegan or not, it is a good time to think about the environmental consequences your next fashion purchase will have.
Source: Israel21c
