Is Sustainable Bamboo Underwear Better For The Planet?
Sustainable Bamboo Underwear
Make a positive and ethical choice for your wardrobe by choosing bamboo underwear that is eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and made with respect for the planet. Find out all the benefits of ethical bamboo underwear, from reducing landfill waste to having a positive impact on climate change.
The Benefits of Bamboo Underwear
Bamboo underwear is a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to plastic-based underwear. It is made from natural materials, which are more comfortable and breathable than synthetic materials.
Is Growing Bamboo Sustainable?
Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource that is biodegradable & grows more quickly than cotton & hemp. The plant also grows in many different climates, which means it can be grown all over the world as a sustainable resource.
How Is Fabric Made From Bamboo?
Creating fabric from bamboo can be done in different ways and depending on how the raw material is processed, the fabric created will differ. Although growing bamboo is very eco-friendly, producing fabric from raw material requires chemicals, water & energy. Viscose, rayon & lyocell are all types of fabric created from bamboo through chemical processes.
Viscose & Rayon vs Lyocell
Viscose & rayon are very similar fabrics made from bamboo and the term is sometimes used interchangeably. Viscose is in fact a type of rayon and the difference depends on the raw material it is made from. The production of these fabrics requires a lot of harsh chemicals to extract the cellulose fibre from the bamboo stalks & leaves. Strong chemical solvents such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide and used as well as bleaching to attain a fabric that is still marketed as “eco-friendly”.
New technology has been developed and adopted by ethical fashion brands to produce a Lyocell fabric from bamboo with a closed-loop system that recycles around 99% of the chemicals and water used in the process.
Is Bamboo Clothing Sustainable?
As with all products, the sustainability story encompasses more than just the material it is made from.
- How has the fabric been made?
- Where & how were the raw materials grown?
Who makes the garments – are they safe & paid fairly? - Is the manufacturing process closed loop or are there chemicals being discarded?
- Will the fabric biodegrade?
- How long will the product last?
Bamboo can be used to create sustainable garments. However, products that are made unsustainably from viscose & rayon are still claimed to be “green”, “eco” & “sustainable” because corporations market & greenwash their products as an ethical choice.
To learn more about ethical shopping here are 11 Questions To Ask Yourself When Buying Clothing.
Boody Bamboo Underwear
Boody is a great choice for sustainable bamboo underwear.
“Building an Environmentally Conscious Community – When we say sustainability is our core mission – we mean it. We put sustainable thinking at the centre of everything we do. It inspires us to constantly innovate while keeping people and the planet top of mind.”
How Do I Care for My Bamboo Underwear?
Taking care of bamboo underwear is essential for preserving the fabric’s durability and quality. To keep your bamboo underwear in tip-top shape, always wash it in cold or warm water with a mild detergent and never use bleach or fabric softeners. Hang dry the garment (or tumble at low setting) and avoid using the dryer as this can cause the garment to shrink. Additionally, avoid ironing and never dry clean. With proper care, you can enjoy your bamboo underwear for years to come!
More Bamboo Products
Bamboo is a sustainable material that can be used in many different products. It is often used in clothing, toothbrushes, straws and other household items.
While bamboo is a sustainable material, it is not always an ethical choice. Some companies have been accused of using the product without taking into consideration the sustainability of the forest which they are harvesting the bamboo from.
When Shopping Always Do Your Research
The fashion industry accounts for about 8-10% of global carbon emissions, and nearly 20% of wastewater. Fast fashion has spread like a plague that exploits workers and creates waste like never before. It is hard to decipher which brands are ethical and which are greenwashing but if you do a little digging you should be able to notice red flags when brands are not transparent. Look for B-Corporation companies or check the rating on Good On You
You can help by choosing to reject these unethical brands and supporting businesses that are doing right by people and the planet.