Eco-news flash: ColorDry Dyeing and Bio-based Lycra

It’s exciting to see the fashion industry constantly making changes towards being more eco-conscious. Our eyes are always open to see who is doing what, in regards to making more sustainable choices, especially when it comes to fabric. As clothing care specialists, we pay attention to innovative changes in the actual production of textiles or in how textiles are dyed because well, because we spend a lot of time with fabric!

As a company involved in the dry cleaning area of the fashion industry, we believe in minimizing our dependency on chemicals and fossil fuels, as well as excess water waste, so we just had to share these two pieces of news. Thanks to Ecouterre, as always, for keeping us in the eco-friendly loop!

ColorDry Cuts Down on Waste

…“ColorDry” technology is ready for its close up. The waterless fabric-dyeing innovation, a collaboration between the sportswear giant [Nike] and the Netherland’s DyeCoo Textile Systems, is available to consumers for the first time as a line of vibrantly hued polo shirts. It takes 30 liters of water to dye a T-shirt using conventional means, according to Nike. ColorDry, which uses a pressurized form of carbon dioxide to saturate textile fibers with color, cuts the wet stuff from the process entirely, saving energy and eliminating the need for extra chemical agents.” – Jasmin Malik Chua, Ecouterre

Invista: Bio-based Lycra Eliminating Fossil Fuel Reliance

“Developed by Invista, [bio-based Lycra is] a version of Lycra composed of at least 70 percent corn-derived dextrose. [It’s] the only plant-based spandex commercially available for use in apparel fabrics and garments, including: jeans, swimwear, lingerie, pantyhose, and leggings. [Bio-based Lycra] generates fewer greenhouse gases because it replaces petroleum-based materials with a renewable feedstock. [It is a] part of Invista’s sustainability program, known as “Planet Agenda,” to reduce its environmental footprint by conserving resources, reducing emissions, and eliminating waste at its manufacturing plants. [Bio-based lycra is] otherwise indistinguishable from conventionally manufactured Lycra, which means existing finishing processes can remain unchanged. [It will be] rolling out in commercial quantities in time for the Fall/Winter 2015 and Spring/Summer 2016 collections.” – Lea Stewart, Ecouterre

Have you had a chance to take a look at all of the ways that we practice eco-friendly dry cleaning and clothing care in Toronto? From our use of the Solvair cleaning system, which uses a biodegradable detergent and no heat, to Green Earth, an eco-friendly and gentle dry cleaning process, we’re committed to sustainability in every part of the textile industry.

As a side note, if you’re bringing in a unique fabric to be cleaned, it’s always a good idea to talk to your clothing care specialist about what it is and how it should be cleaned.

Images from Ecouterre