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Materialen
Get to Know Materials
The products sold at IVALO.COM are made of a wide range of materials. The minimum criteria we require from brands for materials in our Sustainability Framework for Fashion are that the origin of each material is known and the products are designed for long-term use. Detailed information about the materials as well as washing and care instructions can be found in the product descriptions.
Environmental Impact and Ethical Issues
The most commonly used materials in clothing are polyester and cotton, which are known to have significant environmental impacts. Clothing, shoes and accessories are also made from a wide variety of natural materials as well as other man-made, modified and recycled fibers.
The environmental impacts linked to material production include water and energy consumption, the use of chemicals, land use, water, air and soil pollution, and carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing the use of more environmentally friendly materials is important as it is less harmful to the environment. Textile Exchange publishes an annual report on recommended materials.
“When choosing a material, it is important to consider its purpose, quality and how well the material can be maintained, as well as the environmental impact and ethics of the production chain.”
The quality of the fabric and how the garment can be maintained also play a part in forming the environmental impact of a piece of clothing. Recycling of fabrics will also become even more important in the future.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economics expert, has estimated that doubling the number of times a piece of clothing is used would reduce their CO2 emissions by 44 percent. Enabling longevity and reusing of products requires high quality materials.
Washing and maintaining the products as instructed can significantly extend their life. Some materials require fewer washes than others and therefore have a lower environmental impact during use. Check out our tips for more sustainable clothing care here.
Ethical production of materials can be verified, for example, with the help of different certificates. For example, Fair Trade and GOTS certifications guarantee safe and fair working conditions in the production of materials, while Responsible Wool Standard guarantees the ethical treatment of animals. We recommend getting familiar with certifications and products made of recycled, innovative and organic materials.
