MATERIALS

BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE

The aim of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is to improve global cotton production for the people who produce it, while reducing its environmental impact. Through education and training, farmers gain greater insight into production methods, enabling them to reduce their environmental footprint, use less water and fewer harmful pesticides, and increase both their yield and profitability. Better Cotton is not physically traceable to the final product. However, BCI farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in volumes that correspond to our requirements. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com. 

ORGANIC COTTON (BLEND)

Organic cotton is produced using methods and materials that have a lower environmental impact than conventional cotton. Organic production systems restore and maintain soil fertility, enhance agricultural biodiversity, and prohibit the use of synthetic, toxic, and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, as well as genetically modified seeds. Independent certification bodies verify that organic producers comply with strict national regulations governing the methods and materials permitted in organic production. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com. 

RECYCLED COTTON (BLEND)

Recycled cotton is sourced from production waste as well as from fabrics and garments that can no longer be worn. Once collected and sorted by colour, the remnants are cut into small pieces, mechanically shredded, and reused in the production of pre-dyed yarns. During the recycling process, the cotton fibres become shorter due to mechanical stress. To ensure a finished product of the highest quality and strength, virgin cotton fibres (or other types of fibres) need to be added. By using recycled cotton, no agricultural land is required to grow new crops and no pesticides are used. The process also requires significantly less water than cultivating virgin cotton. Nevertheless, this process still has a (limited) environmental impact. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com. 

RECYCLED POLYESTER (BLEND)

Recycled polyester, also known as rPET, is made from recycled plastic bottles. The production of recycled polyester results in lower CO₂ emissions. In terms of quality, recycled polyester is almost equivalent to virgin polyester, while requiring less energy to produce, according to a 2017 study by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. WRAP estimates that the production of rPET reduces CO₂ emissions by 32 percent compared to conventional polyester. In life cycle assessments, rPET performs significantly better than virgin PET. However, rPET is still not biodegradable and can take many years to decompose after disposal. In addition, recycled polyester continues to release plastic microfibres, and energy is still required for its production. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com. 

RECYCLED POLYAMIDE (BLEND)

Recycled polyamide is usually made from pre-consumer textile waste, although it can also be sourced from post-consumer materials such as industrial fishing nets or carpets. Various monitoring standards enable recycled polyamide to be tracked throughout the entire supply chain. Branded recycled polyamide yarns are often produced from polyamide waste recovered from landfills and oceans through a closed-loop process. They are infinitely recyclable, generate lower carbon dioxide emissions than virgin polyamide, and require less energy to produce than virgin polyamide yarns. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.

RECYCLED WOOL (BLEND)

Recycled wool not only prevents used wool garments from ending up in landfills, but also saves water and reduces the land required for sheep grazing. Recycled wool contributes to a reduction in air, water, and soil pollution. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.

RESPONSIBLE WOOL STANDARD

RWS wool is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which comes from farms with a progressive approach to land management and clearly defined standards for the treatment of sheep. These standards cover animal welfare and land management practices implemented by farmers, including care, feeding, medical treatment, and pasture management. Farmers are monitored across all aspects of production, such as lambing, breeding, mulesing, castration, and shearing, as well as soil health, biodiversity, and native species. All processing steps must also be certified to ensure the chain of custody is maintained through to the final product. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ VISCOSE

The production of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres generates up to 50% fewer emissions and has a lower water impact compared to standard viscose. The fibres are produced from pulp sourced from renewable raw materials, primarily wood. Lenzing purchases wood and pulp exclusively from certified sources. Thanks to a specialized production system, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose fibres can be identified in the final product, even after extensive textile processing throughout the entire value chain. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.

TENCEL™ (BLEND)

TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibres are derived from renewable wood sources. The wood comes from certified sources. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are produced through a closed-loop process, converting wood pulp into cellulose fibres with highly efficient use of raw materials and a reduced environmental impact. In this solvent-spinning process, process water is recycled and the solvent is reused with a recovery rate of over 99%. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.

LIVAECO™ VISCOSE

Livaeco yarns are made from wood sourced from certified forests, making them six times more efficient in land use compared to competing natural fibres. The production process of Livaeco by Birla Cellulose saves water and greenhouse gas emissions compared to other natural fibres. A molecular tracer enables tracking of garments back to their source at every stage. Downstream traceability is ensured through a tracking system. Specific information is available upon request via csr@wefashion.com.