Bamboo and Organic Cotton Tee Shirts

 Raw material - Bamboo used for clothing comes from Moso Bamboo Phyllostachys edulis.   Bamboo, grows without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Bamboo also sequesters five times more CO₂ than an equivalent stand of trees and requires much less water than cotton. The extensive shallow root system of bamboo has a role in preventing soil erosion and assists with nitrogen fixation.

The bamboo is sourced from a plantation in China. The plantation is managed in strict accordance with the international OCIA/NOP standards.

While bamboo is grown naturally without the use of pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals and does not involve Genetically Modified Organisms it is not certified organic as the process of converting bamboo to yarn does not meet the strict criteria for organic certification.

The organic cotton fibre component is obtained from Turkey and is non-GMO certified by SKAL. Some of the organic cotton is grown in Australia. However crops are severely affected by the drought.

 Manufacturing – There are two key processes for creating bamboo fabric, either chemically or mechanically. These bamboo fabrics are produced using the mechanical method, which is more expensive but has less environmental impacts than the chemical method which uses sodium hydroxide. The manufacturers of the fabrics are also in the process of obtaining certification to the oeko-tex 100 standard which confirms that dyes used are non allergenic and the product does not include any harmful chemicals in the production. Further information on the bamboo manufacturing process is provided in National Geographics’ GreenGuide or eartheasy site

To increase the stability of the fabric the bamboo it is blended with organic cotton. Fabrics are woven in China and soon Pakistan. No information is currently available on the conditions within the factory including Fairtrade or Fairwear certification.

The tops are currently made in Australia, and Purepod is researching options for bringing more of the manufacturing process on shore.

 Distribution – Currently the raw material for the fabric is grown in China (the only place producing bamboo at an appropriate scale) and cotton from Turkey, woven in China and obtained via a supplier in the US. The garments are currently made in Australia. To reduce air miles, from 2009 Purepod will be using an Australian supplier who obtains the raw materials from China and Turkey, which are then sent to Pakistan for weaving. Garments will continue to be made in Australia.

Garments are sent to retail outlets via Australia Post.

 Product use – The items within the collection are designed to be unique and stylish and so will not go out of fashion and can be worn year round, thus increasing their life. Garments can be washed at low temperatures and require no fabric softener. Dry cleaning is not recommended for bamboo fabric.

 Waste management – Bamboo and cotton fabric is biodegradable. The garments are not excessively packaged and packaging used can be reused and recycled. When purchasing from a store to reduce waste don’t accept a carrier bag.