“Not everything that every clothing company wants is necessarily [a] natural fabric,” said Summer Rayne Oakes, an independent sustainability strategist with an emphasis in eco-fashion and the spokesperson for Planet Green, the Discovery Network’s new enviro-centric channel.
In particular, she noted, performance-based companies such as Nike and Patagonia look beyond the organic-cotton stratosphere to maximize the environmental benefits of their lines. For example, a few old Diet Coke bottles create soft, lightweight fleece while also reducing landfill waste. As green-conscious practices continue to be integrated into the corporate model, it makes good business sense. “They’re looking into recycled P.E.T., they’re looking into fabrics that may not require dyes. There are a number of manufacturers—some out of Japan, some out of China—that are starting to produce really innovative fabrics,” she added. Clearly, it’s true how the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s environmentally responsible, marketing-friendly, durable super-fabric.” Or something.
- Places:
- New York