Did you know the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world?
In fact, it uses up to 98 million tons of non-renewable resources every single year1. That’s why turning to earth-friendly options within the supply chain is incredibly important.
But these days, all kinds of brands are chirping about “sustainability,” “eco-friendliness,” and “all-natural ingredients” – what’re you supposed to believe? At Knickey, we pride ourselves on cutting through the BS and leading with cold hard facts - we’re here to clean up the fashion industry from the inside-out, and we’re happy to tell you exactly how. Read on to learn more about the effects the fashion industry has on the planet and how Knickey is making a difference.
When it comes down to it, the fashion industry is toxic from the get-go. Thousands of different chemicals are used to produce, dye, and finish the textiles that make up our clothing. And while some chemicals do not pose a threat to our wellbeing, many key chemicals used in textile production have knowingly harmful effects on both human and environmental health – but are still used regularly by mainstream brands - such as published carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Moreover, only a fraction of all textile related substances have actually undergone toxicity testing for safety to work with because the ingredients for many of these chemicals are protected by “trade secrets” and cannot be tested for human safety. In many of the countries that produce clothing, factory wastewater is severely under-regulated, meaning a lot is not cleaned or treated. This contaminated water impacts drinking and bathing water and enters the local food system, often in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
With no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers in sight, organic cotton is overall much safer and more regenerative for the earth. The organic cotton that makes up your Knickeys, which comes from the Maharashtra region in India, is almost entirely rainfed. In one study, rainfed organic cotton was found to use up to 90% less water than irrigated conventional cotton! Because of the practices of intercropping, crop rotation and the use of only natural fertilizers, the same study found that organic cotton reduces the chance of soil erosion by up to 90% and the risk of water pollution by 26%! Plus, in order to ensure toxic chemicals are nowhere near your nethers, Knickey only utilizes Oeko-Tex certified dyes and finishes and GOTS-approved processing methods.You can rest easy knowing that Knickey’s are 100% non-toxic and better for the environment, seed-to-shelf.
Need any other reason to make the #TopDrawerSwap? We didn’t think so.
Footnotes
- “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future.” Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017, https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
