What to consider when making Eco choices for your home:

1. Source material- is it a renewable material or a scarce resource?
2. How is the source material generated? How is it grown harvested or collected?
3. What amount of pesticide, water and energy is used in production or growth?
4. How much air, water and soil pollution is generated in the processing of the source material?
5. Will the finished goods off gas or otherwise pollute once within the home? How will they contribute to the interior air quality?
6. At the end of their lifespan how will the materials decompose in landfill?
7. Recycled content or recyclability-know the facts

The Realities of the Textile Industry Chemical

• In the last century the textile industry has become one of, if not the largest polluter in the world.
• While we are all making better choices for our families and our future when it comes to choosing organic foods, fuel efficient vehicles, using our heating and A/C more thoughtfully we continue to consume textiles that have a massive negative impact on the planet.

Water-Production of Textile

• The finite resource of clean drinking water is rapidly becoming scarce in many parts of the world
• Water is used at every stage in fabric manufacturing for example to dissolve chemicals and to wash and rinse out chemicals.
• The chemically infused wastewater is often released into local rivers where it enters the ground water, drinking water and habitat of plants, animals and of course human food.

Interior Air and Human Health

• Off gassing (or out gassing) of traditional textiles within a family home have been proven toxic. Humans cannot only breathe it in (think of that new car smell) but also it can be absorbed though your skin just in contact with the fabric itself. We even ingest microscope particles of these toxic chemicals through repeated exposure.

Renewable vs. non-renewable resources=Natural vs. Synthetic

• Synthetic fabrics (i.e. polyester) are part of the petro-chemical chain of products-it uses a limited resource as its base component.
• Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk and wool are renewable resources growing each season.
• Only polyester can be recycled currently, no other synthetics
• There are substantial environmental concerns with the recycling of polyester due to the chemical Antimony, which is not a benign chemical but likely a carcinogen.

Remains of the day-Post Consumer Life-Landfill

• Natural, untreated fabrics break down in the landfill where treated and synthetic fibers do not.
• There is no viable way to recycle polyester fabric at this time.
• Using PET bottles, which come with a heavy carbon footprint-the transportation of the bottles to China for production and the production itself, produces recycled polyester textiles.

Interior Decorator
T: 905.271.4224 F:905.919.0363
E: decorating@jackieconnolly.com
W: jackieconnolly.com