Natural over Chemical dye | The affects chemical dyeing has on the environment

Our natural dyeing process requires minimal amounts of water, no chemicals, salt or acids and our ribbons are air dried outside by mother nature.  To create our beautiful colours we use organic matter from nature: flowers, leaves, fruit peel, sawdust & even insects, and natural mordants for colour fastness. Using this process means we save huge amounts of water & electricity and cause no damage to the environment, ourselves and our customers.

Unfortunately, the worldwide industry standard dyeing process uses all sorts of nasty chemicals like bleach and other acids and huge amounts of water. This is a horribly toxic and wasteful process - discharging polluted water and chemicals into the environment, killing aquatic life, ruining soil, poisoning drinking water and harming dye workers. It also uses massive amounts of energy, which contributes to global warming.

Bleach – Used to whiten & clean fabrics if released into bodies of water changes the oxygen balance. This is very harmful to living creatures.

Alkali - Commonly used in dyes baths, throw off the pH balance of water, creating an environment where life can no longer exist.

Acids - Used to counter the harmful effects of the alkali in the dyeing process. Excessive amounts of acids, if not neutralized, cause a low pH, which is detrimental to aquatic life.

Salt - The enormous amount of salt waste from dye baths, if not removed, kill off marine life once dumped into waterways.

The contamination of natural waters has become one of the biggest problems in modern society. The wastewater from textile plants is classified as the most polluting of all the industrial sectors, considering the volume generated as well as the effluent composition.

Textile dyes can cause allergies such as contact dermatitis and respiratory diseases, allergic reaction in eyes, skin irritation, and irritation to mucous membrane and the upper respiratory tract. It comes as no surprise that chemical dye workers are far more likely to get cancer.

By purchasing our products or (naturally dyed products) you are contributing to a more sustainable, more ethical and more environmentally friendly business practice.

We ALL have a responsibility to give back to the environment and to respect mother nature.

x Sony