this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2023
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Environment
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Honestly most fabrics shouldn't be washed as regularly as mainstream western society insists. a lot of fabrics are warm to cool wash only, shouldn't be tumble dried, and should be hung insideout or in the shade. Your clothes will last sooooo much longer if you take care of them
Bamboo is marketed as this tough "green" fibre and if we ignore the processing it takes to turn such a woody fibre into a shoft fabric it can be long lasting with proper care. It doesn't like hot washes or tumble drying. It breaks down the fibres and negates the durability that's being marketed. Denim is something that should be rarely washed and preferably just cool soaked and swished and rinsed (like a rug or curtains) then dried on a line insideout to prevent fading.
So I guess I would probably be one of the people this article is discussing but all's I'm really doing is following proper fabric care practices
The concept behind bamboo clothing isn't so much that it's tough it's that it grows really fucking fast and doesn't require as much water (which means you can also grow it in more places). So it's cheaper to grow but also cheaper to harvest and ultimately a lot more environmentally friendly.
The chemicals used to process bamboo into the type of fiber used in clothing aren't really a big deal (sodium hydroxide aka "caustic soda") and have relatively straightforward (and safe) disposal processes. So if the fibers are processed in the West you can assume that regulations will require safe disposal of waste. They're not exotic or new enough to be of much concern.
However, if it's made in a 3rd world country with heavy corruption of regulatory agencies (e.g. India and Bangladesh) and/or completely inadequate enforcement/policing (e.g. China) that's a very real problem. Though not so much a global pollution problem like global warming as much as it's a local pollution problem.
TL;DR: Bamboo is all around way better for the environment than cotton.
Both main producers are India and China. Good On You estimates roughly 50% of the processing chemicals are escaping into the environment and employees manufacturing bamboo and other natural fibre synthetics (viscose, rayon) are exposed leaving some with neurological issues.
It's not all-around better. It just doesn't require soil disruptions on established plantations, use as much water, or require pesticides. Those are all great things but dumping neurotoxic chemicals that can effect reproductive systems into the environment and is occurring in areas where the people are already exploited for labour and incapable of fighting back isn't something i love. If i was buying new fabric and didn't have linen or recycled cotton as an option, I would personally opt for organic cotton. Tbh though I don't really buy new fabric as there aren't many ethical choices available in my price range. 2nd hand is always better in that regard