Issue 01/2009 - Sustainability fully in today's trend - also for home textiles
Nearly every day everybody goes shopping. Mostly we buy daily needs like groceries and clothes. Sometimes also major purchases are made, e.g. cars, furniture and other equipment. In most cases appearance, quality and price are sales-relevant. During these last years, however, the criterion "sustainability of a product" has become more and more important in the purchase decision process.
Environmental protection - a decisive buying criterion
While in 2007 36 % of the consumers interviewed referred to the environmental protection as a decisive buying criterion, this percentage increased to 45 % already in 2008. Experts assume that the issue “sustainability” will become one of the crucial factors on the German market within the next two years. As to the furnishing trends, the issue sustainability is ranking third with 12 %, compared to 2 % last year.
Energy saving, reducing water consumption and waste and using renewable resources – whenever these aspects are decisive for the manufacture, the use and disposal of products, it can be referred to sustainability. The German home textiles industry has already taken the protection of the environment very seriously for many years. As to the sustainable production of home textiles, German producers are top-ranking in an international comparison. A resource-saving stewardship with less impact on the environment showed enormous effects.
Energy saving, reducing water consumption and waste and using renewable resources – whenever these aspects are decisive for the manufacture, the use and disposal of products, it can be referred to sustainability. The German home textiles industry has already taken the protection of the environment very seriously for many years. As to the sustainable production of home textiles, German producers are top-ranking in an international comparison. A resource-saving stewardship with less impact on the environment showed enormous effects.
Carpet products – at the forefront of environmental protection
Already since the 90’s the German carpet industry has taken intensively care of the production of environmental-friendly and recyclable carpet flooring. For years the Group Carpets Tested for a Better Living Environment (GuT) has supported eco-friendly products and environmental-friendly production processes. In cooperation with the carpet industry and the Initiative Carpet Recycling Europe (CRE) innovative recycling solutions were developed and promoted by GuT for the further utilisation of old carpet flooring. In addition, the careful use of raw materials in the carpet production is supported by scientifically sound lifecycle assessments. Furthermore, so-called Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) have been drafted by the carpet industry – represented by GuT and the Textiles & Flooring Institute TFI - for future consultation in the field of building products and also of home textiles to assess their sustainability.
Home textiles – saving energy during their use
The sustainable effect of home textiles is not only due to eco-friendly production and disposal. It is a matter of fact that during their lifecycle they can save energy in a natural way. Also because of this reason home textiles are belonging to sustainable products. For example, decoration and curtain fabrics can prevent the indoor heat from escaping by the windows. If you decide to buy textile floor coverings you will save heating energy because of the insulating effect of the dense carpet fibres and the carpet backing: Up to 10 % of the indoor heat - which would escape in case of smooth floors – can be retained. In addition, your feet will be kept warm because small air chambers between the carpet fibres have a heat-storing effect. With bedding articles providing an optimal climate and temperature balance you can sleep in unheated bedrooms even in winter. Upholstery cover fabrics, compared to smooth leather, are warm and cosy and less body temperature will get lost by textile seat coverings.
Renewable primary products – resource-saving and climate-friendly
Home textiles made of natural fibres like cotton help to save resources. The same applies to man-made fibres deriving from renewable primary products, e.g. cereal starches. In addition, they are also compostable and reusable without any impact on the climate. Fibres derived from 100 % annually renewable resources, e.g. Ingeo fibres can be found in pillows, coverlets, mattresses, covers and other textiles.
Toxproof and eco-friendly – Home Textiles with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 plus
The label „Confidence in Textiles – tested for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100plus” is issued for toxproof textiles and clothing as well as for home textiles manufactured in ecologically sensitive production plants. In the first line the certificate is based on standards referring to human health as well as on ecological and social standards, partly exceeding legal regulations. The treatment of wastewater and exhaust air, the use of energy, noise emissions, the application of chemical substances and technologies, quality and environmental management systems as well as occupational health and safety and social criteria, such as the right of assembly, the prohibition of discrimination and forced labour are controlled by independent test institutes.
Quality products – in line with sustainability
German manufacturers of home textiles are well-known for their high quality products, thus contributing to the careful use of resources. Products of high quality are exceptional because of their long life cycle, thereby improving the ratio of the use of resources (input and output). Already for years the Association of the German Home Textiles Industry has supported the improvement of the product quality and the communication of the advantages of high quality products.
Pleased consult your dealer in a specialised shop if you want to buy sustainable home textiles. These experts will assists you in choosing suitable articles. However, in case of any questions concerning these products you can also contact our member companies directly. The data of the manufacturers can be found here.
Pleased consult your dealer in a specialised shop if you want to buy sustainable home textiles. These experts will assists you in choosing suitable articles. However, in case of any questions concerning these products you can also contact our member companies directly. The data of the manufacturers can be found here.
