For years the denim sector has been pushing for innovation and commitment to reposition the industry‘s bad reputation regarding their sustainable practices. Accelerated by the UN‘s Sustainable Development goals, such as Responsible Consumption & Production, Industry Innovation & Infrastructure and Partnership for goals, the denim sector is reversing its ecological footprint. Circular solutions are demanding brands to chose responsible materials and to extend the lifecycle of their products.

With innovation underway for waste management, companies are increasingly turning their waste into a resource. They fuel cross-industry projects, turning by-products into labels, ribbons, isolation, tiles or even paper. 0-waste policies are being implemented on larger scales and demand for an easier and more efficient decomposition of post-consumer products as well: Biodegradable patches or screw-on buttons are proposing new alternatives for easier recycling of already finished garments.

While sustainable options rely on choices of better fibers, dyes and finishings, the implementation of technologies, such as AI and blockchain can further improve the industry. Tech innovation in factories can reduce waste and water consumption, while proposing more accurate results. And demands for more transparency implement  blockchains, luminescent pigments to retrace origins and product lifecycles.

SAVE RESOURCES

The average pair of jeans is high in water consumption, needed more Ethan 8.000 per pair (UN). Especially the coloring and finishing process are water-intense processes. New methods for more responsible water usage include dry dyes, ozone and laser finishings or enzymes.

LESS FOSSIL FUELS

A pair of their jeans emits around 33.4 kg (73 pounds) of CO2 due to the coal that is used as the main source for electricity in the factories. As energy is a scarce good these days, renewable energies or more efficient processes can be put in place.

PROTECT BIODIVERSITY

Approximately 70% of the rivers and lakes in Asia are damaged by wastewater from the textile industry (Webber). Pesticides and fertilizers from cotton production and harsh toxins for color and bleaching are contaminating sensitive ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. Non-toxic, regenerative alternatives are key here.

ETHICAL PRACTICES

Unacceptable health and safety conditions, next to exploitative working hours and wages are still a major issue for the denim industry. And child labor remains a concern. Ethical practices can be proven via QR codes or luminous threads and humanitarian projects should be supported.

HEMP

Animal leather that biodegrades by 75% in 90 days. Its production requires less water and dye than the one of common leathers. 

LINEN

Leather sourced from regenerative agriculture. Farmed lands get the chance to periodically rest, absorb carbon, retain water and restore biodiversity.

REGENERATED VISCOSE

Cellulosic fibers  for reduced-impact developments derive fibers from regenerated viscose thanks to the chemical recycling of cotton as an alternative to production from wood pulp.

LYCRA ECO-MADE

Pre-consumer LYCRA® fiber waste is blended with virgin polymer at specific concentrations to create spandex (elastane) with the same performance as the original LYCRA fiber.

UNDYED COTTON

Undyed cotton come without the use of water, chemical products and energy in comparison to conventional colored options. Its purism is proposing a palette of eggshell, cream and slightly brown and grayish tints.

UNDYED RECYCLED COTTON

Recycled cotton-threads that are made from denim waste are not treated and retain their bluish hue. Consequently, the undyed version of the final fabric shows a delicate blue and grayish shade.

COLD DYES & DRY DYES

Cold and dry dyes are fixed chemically instead of with heat. They are lower in water and energy consumption and can opt for less-harmful pigments.

NATURAL DYES

Ecological dyes are extracted from plant-based or mineral organic elements. Roots, herbs, fungus and food waste can create randomized and faded effects, in line with the natural aesthetic.

ECO STONES

Eco-stones are a more ecological alternative to pumice stones from quarries. They are very strong and durable.

RECYCLED WATER

Next to waterless treatments, close-loop water cycles are offering more sustainable options for specific textile treatment techniques.

OZONE FINISH

An ozone finish combines organic enzymes with nitrogen powder to create precise bleached effects. It requires no chemical treatment and releases no noxious substances.

LASER TREATMENT

Laser burns the color pigments of denim in a precise and subtle way. It comes without the chemical products and water consumption of traditional methods.

NATURAL PATCHES

Bio-based leather alternatives such as cork, apple leather, pineapple leather, grape leather or corn leather can be used for patches.

RECYCLED PATCHES

Blending recycled fibers and natural ingredients like natural latex wax and leather scraps into new materials to use for patches etc.

RECYCLED BUTTONS

Close-loop labels and buttons from post-industrial waste can take fashionable forms and propose a sense of 0-waste policy.

SCREWABLE BUTTONS

New fastenings are designed to be removed and recycled to facilitate the second lifecycle of post-consumer garments.

EXPERIMENTAL PATCHWORK

Turn worn denim into new products with patchwork constructions.

UPCYCLED MATERIAL

Rethink old denim with a focus on materiality and fabric manipulation.

TRADITIONAL MENDING

Look towards old mending traditions, like Japanese quilting etc.

INNOVATIVE CUT-AWAYS

Get creative with cut-outs to re-invent denim pieces into new products.