How to choose eco-responsible clothing?

The textile industry today represents a real threat to our environment and its disruption. This sector is one of the first that must evolve in order to be able to change the situation. However, this change first of all involves our way of consuming . When to consume? Or consume? Why consume? And how ?
Finding eco-responsible clothing is not an easy task in this world plagued by “fast fashion”.

So today we are going to help you choose an eco-responsible garment, swimsuit or lingerie . When we talk about eco-responsibility, we think directly of the raw material of the garment. This observation is true, but not sufficient. An eco-responsible garment is a garment whose production and life have a low impact on the environment. This is why the eco-responsibility of clothing does not only depend on its composition.

1. The brand that produces it

First, let's start by evaluating the company's CSR involvement before diving into the details. In fact, to identify responsible clothing, the brand that produces it must already be responsible. We must therefore look at its values. Does it promote ecological and responsible values? Does she care about the impact her production will have in the world? Does she aspire to a project of evolution and the fight against global warming? Is it transparent with its customers?
 
At Nénés, for example, our commitments are clearly stated: “Be a bomb without blowing up the planet” . Each action undertaken is considered in such a way as to have the least possible impact on the environment. Indeed, all our products are made in Portugal, in recycled fibers, our packaging is recycled and recyclable, and our customers have the possibility of making a donation in favor of the oceans with each order → All these commitments make Nénés a truly environmentally friendly !
 
This is the first step in determining whether a garment is responsible or not. If the brand itself does not embody any important values ​​and does not care about the environment, you can already give up.

2. Eco-responsible materials

After doing this first study, let's dive into the heart of the matter: the garment itself. Indeed, there is something to analyze. As seen above, there are certain raw materials to recommend and others to avoid.

Favor natural materials, derived from plant fibers. It is preferable to use organic cotton, linen and hemp for example. Conversely, avoid conventional cotton which requires too high a dose of pesticides and water, which then destroys the ecosystem.

If you choose synthetic materials, it is better to opt for those that are recycled. Recycling is indeed a great compromise to avoid production-related waste! The others are to be banned because they are among the most polluting. Indeed, these are not recyclable and are composed of raw materials that are very polluting during production and use. Indeed, during washing, they create dangerous micro particles which then end up in our oceans.

At Nénés, the choice of materials is an essential point in its commitment to the environmental cause. As seen above, we mostly use recycled materials : from the main fabric to the linings. Recycled, yes, but from what? Mainly plastic bottles crushed, cleaned and then restored to fiber.

Some of our models are also made from organic cotton , grown without pesticides or GMOs.

For loungewear and beachwear , we favor linen, a local material that consumes little water and is produced without pesticides. The plant thrives naturally in the heat of the sun and the water brought by the rain.

We also use organic cotton for our beachwear and loungewear collections which are made from fabric scraps which avoids any waste.

3. Labels

Labels associated with a company or a material are also signs of reliability. For example, all Nénés products are GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified , which guarantees good social, environmental and chemical practices during their production.

Finally, we work hand in hand with European factories certified GOTS, REACH and Social & Labor Convergence which guarantee good social, environmental and chemical practices during the production of our materials and our models.

4. Short circuits

65,000 km is the distance a piece of clothing can travel. Between the origin of the raw materials, the dyeing or the manufacturing, a garment can travel thousands of kilometres. If so, all the efforts made so far will be swept away by the enormous C02 emissions generated by long-distance transport. To promote the short circuit as much as possible , all the stages must be located in a specific sector and as close to each other as possible.

At Nénés for example, we manufacture all our models in Portugal and our materials are European (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland).

Finally, our products are transported by truck in order to avoid the environmental impact of the plane.

5. Maintenance and durability of the garment

Finally, although after all these checks we can declare loud and clear that your garment is eco-responsible, it is now necessary to look into the maintenance of its durability . Indeed, if you buy eco-responsible clothing but do not maintain it properly, you risk 2 things.
First, if your garment is made from synthetic fibers (even recycled), it releases microparticles into your washing machine which will then end up in the water. At Nénés, we therefore recommend using protective nets or GuppyFriends when washing our lingerie products to limit your environmental impact as much as possible.

In addition, a poorly maintained product is also a product that deteriorates more quickly and therefore will not last over time. Durability is also a very important aspect because an eco-friendly product is also a durable and robust product that is passed on. The more you advance in the years, the more its impact will be less since it will be settled year after year. For Nénés, quality is one of our priorities, our swimsuits , pajamas and lingerie sets are resistant and ready to follow you over the years.

Here is your toolbox to find your most beautiful responsible clothes! Don't forget that the change in the textile industry also goes through you!