Eco2cotton™ - Jimtex Yarns & Martex Fiber Southern
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 06.27.06
Jimtex Yarns and Martex Fiber have introduced Eco2Cotton™ Brand yarns and fibers made from the recycling of new, pre-consumer (post-industrial) cotton knit cuttings, discarded during the apparel cut and sew process for t-shirt making. The cuttings are reprocessed and blended into fiber similar to new cotton, and can be re-spun into yarns or mixed with other fibers. According to the release from Jimtex, ‘a blue t-shirt contains only 60 percent of the cotton grown to produce it: the remainder goes to waste. Eco2Cotton yarns recapture blue cotton scraps, blend it with a small amount of acrylic or polyester, and then make blue yarn’. Although Jimtex emphasizes its “new” feedstock, to appeal to America's obsession for material never-exposed-to-humans, actual discarded clothing could also be used for creating 'new' yarns. If color sorted, the result could be a myriad of yarn colors and textures made from used clothing.
Ever hear of a rag picker? Not that long ago, people earned a living collecting discarded clothing that could be re-processed into a variety of “up-cycled” yarn types. The down cycled product of 'rag picking' was white paper, made largely from discarded white cottons. The very best papers still have “rag content” around 25% or higher.
Bandages too were made of recycled white clothing and linens. In fact, it was only in response to WWI-era shortages of white cotton fiber bandages that bleached wood fiber “tissue” was introduced as a substitute for cotton bandaging. Once non-woven battings became inexpensive to produce from wood cellulose, clothing scraps were destined for the landfill. Later, non-woven “paper” products came to be made with petrochemical feedstock as well: enter the super-absorbant diaper.
Congradulations to Jimtex, for taking the progressive step backward: turning a waste that was once a feedstock back into a commercial product.
Eco2cotton™ yarns are offered in solid colors as well as heathers, with hints of multiple colors. Uses include socks, sweaters, t-shirts, hats, fleece, apparel, upholstery, and kitchen and bath textiles pillow fill, non-wovens, sponges, under-carpet pad, automotive sound insulation, and mattresses.
That's pretty awesome... but what about the acrylic or polyester? Does that really need to be added in? Or is the amount really large enough to matter?
Anyway, I've been trying to find eco-friendly yarn so I can learn how to knit, and this is a pretty good start. Neat!
=== author's response follows =====
It's just a few percent acrylic to add linear strength, as the recycled cotton fibers become shortened in processing.
Kate,
I'm not sure where you're located, but look for a local yarn store in your area, and avoid the big craft chain stores -- they usually only carry acrylic yarn. Many knitters prefer to work with only natural fibers (wool, alpaca, cotton), and these local yarn stores specialize in all kinds of amazing, natural yarns. Talk to the usually very knowledgeable salespeople, and they'll point you in the right direction for small-scale, local, natural, organic, or sustainable yarns, keeping in mind that they might not always be labeled as "sustainable." Good luck!
I want to have my couches reupholstered but don't want any fabrics that have anything to do with petroleum, china, or pesticides. What should I do?