Sustainable Eco Textiles and Eco labels: A Review

Abstract

It is a distinguished concept that textile and fashion industry has a detrimental influence on atmosphere. And as the industry is growing manifold the environmental damage is also increasing. The buying behavior of people have changed. The average number of clothes purchased by people has increased manifold. As per the data shown by Mckinsey& Company the quantity of garment made yearly has become twice since 2000 and surpassed 100 billion quantities for the first time in year 2014.. Manufacturing process of these textiles uses lot of chemicals while processing which are truly damaging to the people and environment. The production process including pretreatment to dyeing and finishing uses lot of chemicals ultimately which swells into our environment and pollutes it.
Water, air and solid waste pollution are the major environmental pollution created by the textile industry. Textiles outed as an unsustainable product as its entire life cycle from cultivation of raw material and during manufacturing process it creates lots of toxic wastes and greenhouse gases all is dangerous to atmosphere .An integrated pollution control strategy is required to protect our environment from these impacts. Fortunately, more replacements are available. As current practices are unsustainable, textile industry has a strong effect on the environment; businesses, environmentalists and customers are considering strategies to reduce the carbone footprint of textiles. Therefore the need of an hour is to focus on ecofriendly textiles like jute, Hemp, organic cotton, Soy silk, Inge corn fiber, Bamboo etc. for producing Eco – friendly products.Also governments are promoting the concept of Eco Labels. Eco labels are the hallmarks of approvals specified for the product for being less environmentally harmful. Eco-labels that indorse the “eco-friendliness” of the textile product are now graduallyrequired by clients. The industry needs to be more sustainable, the big brands should start sustainable practices in manufacturing to save our environment and future generations. This paper explores about the eco-friendly textiles and eco labels used in textile Industry for environmental health.