Green clothing company questions bamboo decision
12/04/2010
The president of Canadian green clothing company Fashion and Earth, Adrian Desbarats, has backed the action of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on bamboo clothing, but has questioned its decision on the biodegradability of clothes made from bamboo rayon.
The FTC passed a ruling in February that insists eco-clothing brands and retailers must make clear distinctions between products made from rayon from bamboo, which have similar properties to other rayon products, and those made from woven bamboo fibres, which have antimicrobial properties and are biodegradable.
“For the most part, I am very pleased with the FTC ruling as it will help bring accountability and credibility to this fledgling industry. However, I do question the claim regarding biodegradability. In one press release the commission says these rayon products are not biodegradable because they will not break down in a reasonably short time after customary disposal. From the perspective of an environmentally concerned consumer I would find that remark confusing.”
He explained that research at the University of Seoul in Korea tested rayon, cotton, linen and acetate-based fabrics. All of these cellulose based fabrics were biodegradable and the rayon showed the highest level of biodegradability. “I’d say rayon could be classified as biodegradable,” Mr Desbarats said. “So, I would refute the FTC comments and say yes bamboo clothing textiles are biodegradable.”
He went on to point out that Fashion and Earth never claims its products are biodegradable. He said: “To make that claim would seem to convey the message—hey, go ahead and throw out that shirt, it’ll break down anyway. Not the kind of message we want to promote. Let’s do our part to keep our clothing in use as long as possible by handing them down, trading them up, giving them to charity, and so on.”
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