It’s great you are trying to pursue sustainable clothing but I don’t know if organic cotton is the best environmentally speaking. Cotton is one of agriculture’s most water-intensive, often grown in semi-arid and water-scarce areas. SUST should look at other fabrics that can use AirDye technology where water is completely eliminated from the dyeing and printing process. Water is a huge issue socially and environmentally and needs to be part of the sustainable, eco-fashion movement.

SUST is currently looking at companies like AirDye, in our ongoing effort to provide sustainable finishing options for our line. We are also expanding into new fabrics, like hemp and wool, to broaden our assortment of trend right clothing that practices sustainability.

It is our understanding that AirDye technology only has been used in bulk production on man-made fibers (i.e. polyester). Also, it has been explained to us that the AirDye process needs polymers to work properly. Do we go with synthetic fibers from oil to make garments in order to offset the use of water in the cotton fabric finishing process? Do we chemically treat the yarns at the spinners to effectively use less water and less salt, as compared to other options. We see these as tough questions that have no simple answer. Of course, we don’t believe that “giving up” is an option. Recently, we were put in touch with AirDye (thanks to an introduction by a former colleague of mine) regarding their ability to test and eventually use Hemp or other sustainable fibers with their technology.

If we can find a solution together, then we will have a better option for the dye process. At the end of the day, what is so wonderful about the sustainable movement is that we all are working together to find new & improved options that will make a difference.