While looking for a sustainable organic clothing line, I came across a fabric called Tencel®. It claims to be extremely soft, versatile, and wrinkle resistant and all around better than cotton. I decided to do some research and see for myself.
Tencel® is the brand name owned by Lenzing Fiber for the fabric lyocell. It’s made of cellulose from wood pulp that is chemically broken down then reformed as long fibers in a spinneret. The wood comes from sustainable tree farms (Tencel® is made of eucalyptus) which require neither artificial irrigation nor pesticides, and while sometimes toxic, the chemical solvent used is 99.5% recovered and recycled. The waste that is produced during manufacturing is minimal and is considered harmless. It’s biodegradable, requires no bleach and is usually completely degraded in just eight days in a waste plant. So what’s the catch? Lyocell is hard to dye, so depending on the manufacturing company, various chemicals, enzyme baths and dye processes that may be toxic (and irritating to sensitive skin), are used. It is also hard to find and is fairly expensive to buy. But is it better than cotton and thus, worth it?
Conventional cotton farming is one of agriculture’s most environmentally destructive activities. It takes an enormous toll on the planets air, water, and soil, and significantly affects the health of people living in cotton growing areas. Organic cotton farming, on the other hand, is largely safer by using methods designed to eliminate the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. It’s a growing trend that makes organic cotton fabrics easy to find and cheaper to buy.
So is lyocell better than cotton? Make you own informed decision and shop smart.
