| Why
use Organic Textiles?
The
textile industry, taken as a whole, is among the top ten most
polluting industries in the world and the conventional woollen
industry contributes to this from the production of the fleece
which may then pass through many toxic chemical processes during
the manufacture of the end products. Most conventional woollen
products are no longer “natural” having been treated
by one or more of the following processes: alkaline baths to remove
dirt and grease, acid baths to remove vegetable matter, anti-shrink
for machine washing, bleaching, dying, moth proofing, and possibly
flame proofing; as well as often being blended with man made fibres.
It is difficult to quantify the effects of chemical inputs, but
there is growing evidence to show that some of the chemicals used
in the treatment of wool are harmful to health and the environment.
Most people know something about the organic movement, and may
choose to buy and eat food that is grown and produced organically
without realising that other “natural” products could
or should be organic |
| Organic
farming is concerned with a holistic approach
to animal welfare and the environment in its broadest sense and
strives to minimise pollution in any form by avoiding the use
of artificial chemicals wherever possible – artificial herbicides
and fungicides are prohibited as are organo -phosphate dips and
Genetically Modified Organisms. |
These
principles have been extended to cover the processing
and production of textiles and the Soil Association has worked
diligently to develop Standards for Organic Textile Production
that are ethically sound and realistically achievable in practice.
back
to top |
| The
Soil Association
The
Soil Association has always been an environmental organisation
since it was formed in the early 1940’s, so called by its
pioneers because they were convinced that the health of the soil
is directly linked to the health of the plants and animals that
are nurtured on it, and so to the food we eat. Put simply, healthy
soil means healthy people and a healthy environment which is where
organic farming begins. |
From
sheep to jumper
In order
to use the Soil Association symbol on any product, every link
in the organic chain of production has to be licenced and regularly
inspected to ensure full compliance. All processes must meet
strict targets of biodegradability and toxicity as well as safety
to the environment and everyone involved in the processing;
all inputs must be traceable from source.
Consumers can be assured that any woollen product bearing the
Soil Association symbol meets their strict standards. We started
using our certified organic wool to produce (uncertified) organic
yarn in 1999. The Soil Association had just begun the formidable
task of formulating organic standards for all textiles. These
standards were formally adopted and launched in 2003. Since
then there has been a lot of activity behind the scenes and
a chain of producers and processors is now licenced by the Soil
Association.
|
|
We
are proud to be the first Soil Association Certified Organic yarn
supplier.
All
our yarns are unbleached and undyed from Traditional and rare
breeds of British sheep.
Soil
Association Licence No: X8787
|
| Organic
Textile Standards
The
Soil Association has introduced Standards for the Processing and
Manufacture of Organic Textiles, including wool. Every process
in the production of yarn must comply and be certified.
The organic standards are extremely detailed, but can be summarised
as follows: |
|
PRINCIPLES.
The
standards are rigorous and stipulate many requirements in order
to ensure the purity and organic quality of textiles.
The
standards apply at every stage from the harvesting of the raw
materials to the end product. They provide a credible assurance
to the consumer by applying in precise detail to the processing,
manufacture, packaging, labelling, importation and distribution
of all natural fibres, (e.g. wool, cotton, hemp etc.) including
leather and skins. The general principles of organic agriculture
must be observed in addition to the following:
Organic textiles must be of high quality and contain the maximum
possible amount of organic raw materials; the manufacture must
be easily identifiable and separate from all other manufacture
and must use methods that ensure minimal damage to humans and
the environment.
Labelling must ensure transparency of information concerning organic
content.
Social justice, human rights and fair trade are an integral part
of the organic textile manufacturing chain. |
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