Why I would choose Recycled Materials:
Hello everyone, and welcome back!
In our previous article, we revealed the craftsmanship behind our scarves. Today, I want to take you to the heart of a choice that defines our identity: the adoption of recycled materials. It’s a journey filled with tough questions, unavoidable compromises, and a constant search for balance between ethics and reality.
From Climate Crisis to Action: Why Recycled?
The climate crisis isn’t a distant hypothesis—it’s here, now, and every production decision carries weight. When I began designing our scarves, I asked myself: “How can I create a beautiful product without harming the planet?” The answer wasn’t simple.
Traditional materials like cotton and silk, while alluring, hide unsustainable environmental costs. Cotton, for example, requires up to 10,000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of fiber. A cotton scarf (70–150 grams) consumes between 700 and 1,500 liters—the amount a person drinks in three years. Add to this the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, responsible for 16% of global agricultural pollution. Organic cotton, while reducing water use by 71%, needs more land and remains a niche (only 1% of global production).
Silk raises ethical dilemmas. For a single scarf, 300–500 cocoons are needed, obtained by boiling silkworms alive. Ahimsa silk, which spares the larvae, is rare, expensive, and not scalable.
Recycled Twill: An Imperfect but Necessary Solution
Bermondsey recycled twill (51% recycled polyester, 49% virgin) emerged as an alternative. Here’s why:
Reduces oil consumption: every kg of recycled polyester avoids extracting 3.8 liters of oil.
Saves water: compared to cotton, it uses 90% less water.
No pesticides used, unlike intensive crops.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. Virgin polyester contributes to microplastic emissions (up to 700,000 fibers per wash), which pollute oceans and the food chain. Textile recycling is still in its infancy: only 15% of textiles are recovered globally.
Organic Cotton:
while reducing water use by 71%, needs more land and remains a niche.
The Sustainability Paradox: Why There’s No Perfect Choice
Being completely eco-friendly is a utopia. Every material has its trade-off:
Organic cotton: less water, but more land.
Ethical silk: cruelty-free, but economically unsustainable.
Recycled polyester: reduces waste, but releases microplastics.
We chose recycled twill because, in today’s context, it represents the lesser evil. Our on-demand production avoids waste, and we’re working to incorporate 100% regenerated yarns as soon as they become available.
Towards a Greener Future: What Can We Do Together?
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Here’s how we can evolve:
Support innovation: invest in microplastic filtering technologies and advanced recycling.
Educate consumers: washing at low temperatures and using Guppyfriend bags reduces fiber release.
Reward transparent brands: look for certifications like GOTS (for organic cotton) or BCI (Better Cotton Initiative).
One Step at a Time
Every small decision contributes to a greener, more sustainable planet. Even imperfect choices can eventually lead to significant improvements.
Now, the Question Is Yours
If you had to choose a scarf, which material would you prefer? Certified organic cotton, premium ethical silk, or an evolving recycled fabric? There’s no easy answer, but dialogue is the first step toward better solutions.