Last Updated on May 10, 2024
I do my best to cultivate a minimalist and sustainable wardrobe I can wear for a long time. Two ways I do this is by creating a capsule wardrobe and being mindful of the fabrics I choose to wear.
I try to opt for natural fibers whenever I can. Synthetic materials shed microplastics over time, aren’t as durable, and can’t be composted at the end of their life. Plus, I don’t really like how synthetic materials feel on my skin.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic materials are also often treated with harsh chemicals during the manufacturing process.
One such material is cupro fabric. Have seen it before on your clothing tag? It’s not the most common fabric, but what exactly is cupro and is it eco-friendly?
Cupro is a vegan alternative to silk. It’s a semi-synthetic fabric made from recycled cotton. But that doesn’t automatically make it sustainable. A lot of harsh chemicals are used in the formation of cupro.
In fact, cupro is illegal to produce in the United States. This means most of Cupro is imported from other countries. There are specific reasons for this we will dive into below.
If you’re considering buying an item made from cupro, here’s everything you need to know about the fabric, and if it’s sustainable.
is cupro natural or synthetic?
Cupro is a semi-synthetic fabric that is made primarily from cotton waste from the cotton growing industry. Though cupro is derived from a natural source, it’s mixing with various chemicals during the manufacturing process make it hardly pass as a natural fiber.
The raw material of cupro is natural though: It’s called cotton linter which is a material obtained from the manufacturing process of cottonseed oil. Cotton linter is the short downy fiber enfolding cotton seeds.
While cotton linter itself is biodegradable and compostable, I wouldn’t recommend composting cupro fabric due to the harsh chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Composting it would release any toxins from production, dyeing, and washing into the ground which is not recommended.
Cupro is classified as biodegradable (which simply means it will break up over time). Technically, so will plastic, but that doesn’t make it sustainable.
RELATED: Biodegradable vs Compostable: What’s the Difference?
Cupro is short for cuprammonium rayon. It got its name because the solution of copper and ammonia is used to make this particular type of rayon. Rayon was created as an alternative to silk and rose in popularity because of its lower price point.
Rayon made using the cuprammonium process can be labeled cupra, cupro, or cupra rayon under the trade name Bemberg.
how is cupro made?
1. First, they expose the cellulose of a plant product to a mixture of ammonium and copper.
2. Then these two elements are combined with the cellulose to make a new substance.
3. The mixture is then dropped into caustic soda and extruded through a spinneret.
4. The extruded strings are immersed into a series of hardening baths that reconstruct the cellulose and remove the ammonia, copper, and caustic soda.
is cupro a good fabric?
Cupro is a good fabric in terms of working as a vegan and cruelty-free substitute for silk. It’s also generally less expensive than silk, with similar look and feel.
It’s smooth, light, texture works well for clothing that drapes across the body, like dresses and blouses.
However, in terms of the environment, cupro isn’t the most sustainable material out there – and we’ll discuss why.
environmental impacts of cupro fabric production
Cupro is considered a recycled material. This is because it’s made from a byproduct of the cotton industry, cotton linters.
However, cotton is a crop that is known for using massive amounts of water and pesticides which can pollute ecosystems and waterways. Conventional cotton has been known to cause soil degradation.
Even if cupro was sourced from organic cotton, which it often is not, it still uses a lot of hazardous chemicals during the manufacturing process, such as copper sulfate, ammonia and caustic soda.
According to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), cupro is illegal to produce in the U.S. due to the manufacturers inability to comply with water and air protection regulations.
Also, chemicals used to make cupro can harm workers. According to CFDA, work accidents can occur from explosions or leaks in chemical storage areas associated with any form of rayon production.
Cupro can now be made in a closed-loop system, but the only manufacturer to do this is Asahi Kasei in Japan under the trademark Bemberg. Their system ensures that the copper and ammonia used in manufacturing is recovered and reused.
While this is an improvement, it’s worth noting that most of cupro is still made and exported from China, where there is less transparency regarding the production process. There, the fabric is often referred to as ammonia silk.
Also, it’s worth noting that any form of rayon production (cupro, viscose, etc.) involves copious amounts of water waste, on top of being an energy intensive process.
Most factories that manufacture rayon (and cupro) are usually powered by fossil fuels, which release emissions that contribute to climate change. This is not limited to just rayon though, as many factories that generate synthetic materials are often powered by fossil fuels.
sustainable alternatives to cupro
If you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative to cupro, I recommend looking into TENCEL Lyocell and Modal from Lenzing AG. These are both imperfect alternatives, also both sourced from rayon, but they are more transparent with their production processes.
They are both vegan and cruelty-free and possess similar qualities to cupro.
When choosing a rayon-based material, it’s important to look for sustainably forested, low-chemical, closed-loop producers with certifications like FSC, EU Ecolabel, and OekoTex 100.
Here’s a bit more about both TENCEL Lyocell and Modal fabrics from Lenzing.
tencel lyocell
- Their fibers are produced in a closed loop process which recovers water and 99.8% of the solvent, which transforms wood pulp into cellulosic fibers with high resource efficiency and low environmental impact.
- Biodegradable and compostable, if it is not combined with any polyester, elastane or nylon fabrics/elements.
tencel modal
- A bio-based, semi-synthetic fabric made from spinning beech tree cellulose.
- Carbon-neutral, has a smaller water footprint, and requires less land per tonne than cotton fibers.
- Completely biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions.
Be aware that Lyocell and Modal made outside of Lenzing AG may not be as eco-conscious, because they don’t have to meet their rigorous standards. Modal and lyocell you see without the TENCEL
certification is likely made in factories that aren’t being transparent about their practices both socially and environmentally.
Try to always buy from brands that have the TENCEL modal and lyocell certification, if you can.
What do you think about this material? Will you be buying it or avoiding it? Let me know in the comments below!
The post What Is Cupro Fabric? Is It Sustainable? appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
-
Greenhouse Gases7 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Climate Change7 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Spanish-language misinformation on renewable energy spreads online, report shows
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change Videos2 years ago
The toxic gas flares fuelling Nigeria’s climate change – BBC News
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits