Chances are you've been glued to a screen watching developments on the fires in Australia. In case you are not already aware, much of New South Wales has been set ablaze due to a severe drought and overall climate change. This has caused widespread devastation, with thousands of plant and animal species dying every day. This tragic event has left us At CommonShare wondering: How have the fires affected the Australian textile industry? There is very little information out there connecting the two, but we feel it is important to raise awareness of the possible harms the industry could face as a result of the fires. Fibers Potentially At Risk Lyocell
Lyocell, branded as “Tencel”, is a natural fiber that is produced by grinding wood obtained from the Eucalyptus tree and turning it into pulp. The cellulose left behind as a result is then spun into long, silky fibers. While the Eucalyptus tree does grow back fairly quick and has adapted to bushfires, recent events could slow production. However, this is not a formal claim.
Source Lyocell Cotton
Australian cotton accounts for approximately 3 percent of the world’s cotton supply. While that may not seem like much, taking it away would make an impact. Due to the record droughts across the continent, cotton production has decreased in recent years. In New South Wales, where a majority of the country’s cotton is grown, the bushfires have threatened the crop.
Source Organic Cotton Wool
Perhaps, one of the most affected fibers in the fires is wool. Livestock, sheep in particular, are being burned. The long dry period has threatened the industry as sheep flee the area to seek refuge, and farmers are in the midst of a great panic trying to preserve the remaining animals. This event could very well lead to a scarcity of wool.
Source Sustainable Wool Why It’s An Issue A large population in Australia relies on cotton and wool production. If you wish to know the numbers: Roughly 60 percent of all cotton produced is used to make yarn for clothing, which is sold globally. And, approximately 60 percent of all cotton farms are located in New South Wales, where the fires are currently raging. So, this is not only about consumer goods being at risk, but people’s livelihood. As for wool, many farmers depend on this fiber as well. Wool is an important driver for Australia’s economy and brings in an average of $3 billion a year. Without wool, the country could face turmoil. Looking at Alternatives Refibra Lenzing’s Refibra is a new variety of Lyocell that is made from recycled cotton scraps and wood pulp. Adding recycled cotton not only prevents further waste, but it reduces the amount of wood pulp needed to produce the fiber. To put it simply: less pulp is extracted from Eucalyptus trees, saving forests and lowering the overall environmental impact of the fiber. Learn more about Refibra Circulose Circulose is the world’s first circular cotton and is a dissolving pulp product made of recycled cotton from post-consumer textiles. What makes circulose better than your average cotton is mainly its ability to work with what we currently have; rather than growing new crops (something that is difficult to do, given the current situation in Australia). Circulose is a viable alternative because it looks and feels just like standard cotton, but requires less water to produce. Learn more about Circulose Regenerative Wool Regenerative wool is a type of wool made from post-consumer textile scraps. While several mills have produced their own versions of recycled wool, one, in particular, has taken things one step further. Beringia, a leading supplier of garments made from regenerative wool, takes the individual fibers from recycled garments, places them in a bath that is free of harmful chemicals, and spins the fiber into a beautiful fabric that is built for high performance. This process completely removes the need to shear sheep. How To Help There are several ways to help Australia’s textile industry, either directly or indirectly, during this difficult time. Here are some organizations and projects we recommend giving to: NSW Farmers Natural Disaster Relief Fund NSW farmers is an association of agricultural farmers across New South Wales. The organization is currently asking for donations to their disaster relief fund, with all proceeds going directly to the farmers to help them get back on their feet. Donate Here Inditex Textile Recycling Program Inditex, the corporation behind Zara and several other popular brands, has teamed up with Lenzing to be their main supplier of textile waste. Inditex brands, along with their non-profit partners, are accepting used garments and sorting them to be turned into brand new fibers by Lenzing. Learn More Here