We hear more and more talk about natural fibres. What makes them so appealing is the fact that they are biodegradable and, for the most part, recyclable. Among the most well known are organic cotton, linen and hemp. In addition to these natural fibres, don’t be afraid to choose entirely harmless cellulose fibres like lyocell and bamboo. These latter are made from wood pulp issued from sustainable forests. Would you like to know more? See this article to discover our favourite eco-responsible fibres and the reasons why we have selected them for the manufacture of our textiles. 

 The marking of the composition of a product is compulsory. That is why textile labels must be attached in a definitive manner, for example sewn on the garment. They contain several types of information: the size, the country of manufacture, the composition and maintenance. Take advantage of them to check more closely the textile fibres used and the corresponding percentages. Make sure that the percentage of toxic synthetic fibres contained in the fabric is as low as possible.

 If you choose a type of consumption which favours greater respect for the environment, it is fundamental to prefer the purchase of local products. For your information, in Europe, the marking of the origin is not mandatory and is therefore carried out under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or the importer. Therefore, look for the origin and learn how to better understand the markings on the labels of your clothing and the meaning of “Made in”. The origin of a product is in fact an indicator not only of the quality, but also of the ethics with which the garment has been designed. Don’t forget that the shorter the cycle (“made in France”, “Made in Belgium”, “Made in Europe”), the more likely it is that the garment has been manufactured under good conditions and with a lower ecological footprint.

 Do you know how to assess the quality of a garment? As mentioned above, take care to analyse the composition of the product, prefer eco-responsible materials and brands that make efforts in terms of CSR. You can also rely on the labels to be found on packaging or tags. Many of these certify the use of eco-responsible textiles and dyes. For example, the Oeko-Tex ® 100 label guarantees the absence of dangerous substances for health and the environment (nonylphenols, heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, allergenic dyes, etc.). 

Here is a list of labels to guide you towards a more responsible mode of consumption:

5. CHOOSE THE COMPANY POLICY 

 You have probably already heard of CSR or “Corporate Social Responsibility”, which has a growing importance for the reputation of companies. But what does it imply? CSR reflects the contribution of a business to sustainable development through the implementation of different types of action. The goal is not to act on all of them, but to work on those that best respond to the problematic of the company, its sector and its territory. When they consider themselves to be an eco-responsible brand, companies will aim at transparency and consistency between their communication and the actions undertaken. So make sure that each step of the value chain, from manufacturing to the distribution of the product, contains no aspect that is incompatible or contradictory to responsible fashion, such as:

• A system of production leading to intensive agriculture
• The proven use of toxic products 
• Overproduction (collections)
• Social inequality
• Child labour
• Waste
• Greenwashing 

Curious to discover our ecological underwear, 100% manufactured in Europe?