The textile industry is one of the dirtiest in the world. It pollutes wastewater, the environment, our soil, and threatens our health.
Over five billion kg of dyes, pigments, and chemicals are used in the textile industry alone today. When it comes to the actual production of clothing, another 8,000 different chemicals are involved – at least 165 of which have been classified as hazardous to health. That is why it is important, in the context of sustainability, to also talk about what exactly the clothes we wear contain. The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and we should start thinking about what we spend dozens of hours a day in and what we are exposing our skin to.
Did you know that even after the end of their lifespan, fabrics and clothing still contain 90% of the chemicals used in material production? Some toxic chemicals are removed by washing (these then pollute our wastewater). However, most of them remain on the clothing and are thus harmful to your health—toxic substances can cause carcinogenic diseases, are linked to several respiratory illnesses, can irritate the eyes and skin, or cause infertility.
The clothing manufacturing process is very complex, and chemicals play a role in virtually every step of the supply chain. For conventional cotton, there is a huge amount of pesticides used during cultivation; for synthetic fibers, chemicals are important in the production process. But for all materials, chemical substances appear in finishing processes—such as dyeing and other final material treatments. All these dangerous chemicals threaten our health and our planet throughout the product's life cycle and sometimes even after its end—in the case of non-biodegradable or persistent chemicals. This is why it is extremely important to think about fashion in terms of both sustainability and the circular economy.
The first to mainstream the issue of toxins in clothing was the Greenpeace DETOX campaign in 2011. Greenpeace released the "Dirty Laundry" report, which highlighted the large amount of hazardous chemicals found in wastewater in China. Many brands then committed to eliminating toxic substances from their supply chain by 2020.
Which toxic chemicals are the worst?
Azo dyes
- Some older, banned dyes can release substances called aromatic amines, which can pose health risks to humans—they are carcinogenic and can also cause skin and eye irritation.
Formaldehyde
- Can be used in textile finishing, e.g., wrinkle-resistant treatments. However, there are concerns that it could be linked to certain types of cancer.
Heavy metals
- Lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium. They can appear in dyes and pigments, among other things, and some of them have been found to have harmful effects on, for example, the nervous system and kidneys.
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)
- Used to repel water and dirt. It takes a very long time for them to decompose, and some can be harmful. They are linked to many health problems, including cancer and infertility.
Pesticides
- Pesticides, such as glyphosate, are used in the cultivation of conventional cotton. These are also linked to a number of health problems, such as cancer, respiratory problems, and potentially even autism.
Chlorobenzenes
- Used as solvents and can damage the central nervous system.
Organic clothing
"clothing gentle on our planet, people, and your health"
Sustainable fashion is not just about being gentle on our planet and producing ethically. An important aspect is also protecting our health. That is why ADVA clothing is chemical-free and is ethically produced using only certified fabrics.
Oeko-Tex 100
All fibers of the final product are tested for the presence of harmful substances according to the Oeko-Tex standard. It also focuses on factors such as ecological parameters, worker safety, social responsibility, and more. It certifies only natural, blended, and recycled fibers.
All our materials have this certification, except for organic cotton.
GOTS
GOTS stands for "Global Organic Textile Standard." This certificate is one of the most transparent and trusted, tracking the entire production process. In addition to at least 70 percent natural fibers of certified organic origin, it may contain a maximum of 30 percent recycled fibers.
We use only the highest quality organic cotton that holds a GOTS certificate.
Our ADVA forever favourite pieces are ethical, compostable, and gentle on our planet, people, and the environment.