LIFE (LOW IMPACT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT) SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES®

LIFE Textiles® Information

LIFE TEXTILES®
INSTYLE's LIFE (LOW IMPACT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT) Textiles® - is an innovation in sustainable textiles developed by INSTYLE and The Woolmark Company (Australia). LIFE Textiles® is designed to minimise the environmental impact over the entire lifecycle of these textiles including raw material selection, production, usage and disposal.

LIFE's CHOICES
Prior to INSTYLE developing the LIFE Textiles® program, the company reviewed the available options - sustainable natural fibres versus recycled PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) fibres.

The results of the analysis led INSTYLE to conclude that rapidly renewable and sustainable natural resources, such as exclusively sourced eco wool™ and organic wool, produced to the strict LIFE Textiles® criteria was the ideal solution as it embodied all the attributes of a sustainable textile.

The table below highlighted the results of the analysis:

As evidenced in the table above, there were several significant differences between LIFE Textiles® and
recycled PET fabrics.

The choice of fibre source is of critical importance - LIFE Textiles® exclusively utilises eco wool™ and organic wool fibre from Australia and New Zealand.

INSTYLE rejected recycled PET fibres for the LIFE Textiles® program because these fibres are a derivative of the petroleum industry and contain toxic substances such as antimony, benzene and toluene.

Also, recycled PET is often claimed as recyclable although there are no companies that accept recycled PET upholstery / screen textiles for recycling in Australia. The majority of textiles in landfills are synthetics, which will not biodegrade, and will therefore remain in landfills for centuries.

In comparison, LIFE Textiles® uses select natural fibres as these fibres are used in manufacturing in their least processed state (rather than the result of a long line of processing as is the case with PET fabrics).

LIFE Textiles® will also have a positive influence on indoor air quality as wool has the ability to absorb indoor air contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) whereas recycled PET fabrics are unable to absorb air impurities and actually have the potential to emit VOCs. (Read more about this in BREATHING LIFE INTO BUILDINGS.)

LIFE IS A PROCESS
LIFE Textiles® are locally manufactured to strict environmental criteria. Manufacturers must have well equipped and regularly maintained plants where production conditions can be carried out at an optimum level thus minimising the consumption of energy, water and chemicals.

Wastage is minimised and if the waste can not be reused or recycled it is disposed of responsibly. The LIFE Textiles® program stipulates using clean technologies. LIFE Textiles® is produced without the use of toxic substances. Additives utilised in the production process, such as detergents and lubricants, are biodegradable.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
LIFE Textiles® is proof that textiles can be produced with minimal impact on the environment and also be beautiful and functional. Also of significance, the price structure is comparable to INSTYLE's standard textile collection.

LIFE'S TOUGH
Designed to be durable, all LIFE Textiles® meet or exceed CTA and ACT perf o rmance specifications. Furthermore, LIFE Textiles® sophisticated appearance is retained for many years.

BREATHING LIFE INTO BUILDINGS
LIFE Textiles® with wool content will play a significant role in reducing the levels of prevalent indoor air contaminants, as they have the ability to absorb sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde (and not re-emit them), thus, LIFE Textiles® provides a 'natural' means to improve indoor air quality, which is vital considering that the majority of people's time is spent indoors.

LIFE Textiles® with wool content will contribute to the comfort of the indoor environment by acting as a constant regulator of humidity in the atmosphere. In addition, LIFE Textiles® is naturally fire retardant and antistatic.

LIFE GOES ON
At the end of their useful lifespan, LIFE Textiles® can be disposed of with minimal impact on the environment as they can be reused, recycled or will biodegrade in the right conditions. Only wool textiles are accepted for recycling in Australia.

LIFE IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES
INSTYLE has an ongoing commitment to identify and reduce any negative impact either the company or product processes have on the environment. LIFE Textiles® will encompass many exciting design innovations in the future as well as continuous improvement of existing strict environmental criteria.

Click here to view products within the LIFE Textiles® collection.

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