Our Materials
We are aware of the catastrophic effects that the fashion industry has on the environment, and we are proud to use raw materials that come exclusively from sustainable sources or that have been recycled and transformed through ethical processes that use the least amount of resources possible.
100% of our cotton comes from sustainable sources
28% Recycled
30% Organic
42% BCI
Recycled Cotton
By using recycled cotton, we are prolonging the life of existing cotton fibres and therefore significantly reducing their environmental impact (70% less CO2 emissions), and we do so whilst retaining all the properties of cotton that make it such a great choice!
How is Recycled Cotton Made?
Textile recycling is generated from two main sources:
1. Pre-consumer: includes scraps created by by-products of yarns and fabrics.
2. Post-consumer: includes clothing, upholstery, towels, household items, to be reused.
How is it recycled and made into fabric? First, fabrics and materials are sorted by color. After sorting, the fabrics are put through a machine that shreds the fabric into yarn and then into raw fiber. The raw fiber is spun again for reuse in other products.
Why choose recycled materials?
Cotton is a water-intensive crop; it takes approximately 178 gallons of water to produce one pound of conventional cotton. Additionally, CO2 emissions are generated during its cultivation and chemicals are used in its growth. Using recycled cotton helps to:
1. Reduce the textile and clothing waste that goes to landfills around the world every day.
2. Significantly reduce the amount of energy, water and dyes.
3. Use little or no water, as recycled cotton yarns are mainly obtained from pre-consumer textile scraps that are already sorted by color, so the yarns are already dyed
How can I help?
Demand that companies reduce their use of virgin cotton. Promote and educate others about its sustainable and natural benefits. Buy recycled products. When you think your garment's lifespan is over, don't throw it away, donate it if it's in good condition or take it to your local recycler. If all else fails, return it to us and we'll make sure it has a sustainable end of life!
NATURALLY SUSTAINABLE FIBERS IN OUR COLLECTION
37%
HEMP
A sustainable, durable and versatile fiber, hemp has a long history of use as a clothing fiber. In fact, it has been cultivated for thousands of years on almost every continent. It has been used in clothing, rope and sails. The word "canvas" is rumored to come from the word "cannabis."
Important hemp facts:
LINEN
DELLA TERRA loves linen. Naturally, it is one of the most sustainable fibres due to its low dependence on chemicals and water. Furthermore, it is a highly versatile and efficient crop, whose residues have other uses. For example; its seeds can be used to create oils and edible products such as linseed. Apart from its environmental benefits, linen is the second strongest fibre in the world (30% stronger than cotton), it is breathable and absorbs moisture, making it an ideal fabric for both hot and cold climates.
Important facts about Flax:
Certified Linen:
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal
TENCEL™ lyocell and Modal fibers are produced using environmentally responsible processes. These fibers are created from sustainably sourced natural wood, a renewable raw material created through photosynthesis. TENCEL™ fibers are biodegradable and compostable (they are certified as such), meaning they can easily and completely return to nature.
Key facts about TENCEL™:
Properties of TENCEL™:
SYNTHETIC FIBERS IN OUR COLLECTION | LESS THAN 1% OF THOSE SYNTHETICS ARE VIRGIN
5%
99%
BAMBOO
Bamboo grows quickly, requires very little water, fertilizers or pesticides, and sequesters a large amount of carbon dioxide, absorbing five times more carbon dioxide and releasing 35% more oxygen than equivalent trees. It also regenerates naturally, so harvesting bamboo allows the plant to survive.
The Problem:
The Verdict:
Recycled PET:
Approximately 49% of the world’s clothing is made from polyester and projections show this will double by 2030. However, polyester is not a sustainable textile option as it is made from PET, the most common type of plastic in the world. In short, most of our clothing comes from crude oil. Recycled polyester is made by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fibres.
The “Pros”:
The “Cons”:
The Verdict:
RAMIE
Ramie is a natural fiber commonly known as Chinese nettle or Chinese grass. It comes from the Chinese plant called Boehmeria nivea. The fibers of the plant are used to produce a linen-like textile. Ramie has been used for centuries in Asia, especially in China, for the manufacture of textiles. It is valued for its strength, durability, and ability to hold its shape, even when wet.
Sustainability:
CUPRO
Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton linter, a byproduct of the cotton industry. It is known as “vegan silk.” Cupro textiles have gained popularity in the fashion industry due to its unique properties and sustainability benefits:
Benefits of Cupro in Sustainability:
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Organic Cotton
By using organically grown cotton, we significantly contribute to reducing the use of harmful chemicals used in conventional cotton farming. In addition, organic cotton employs natural solutions that, in turn, help regenerate our soils and support biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and use significantly less water.
The Problem
The way conventional cotton is grown is extremely damaging to our environment and threatens its biodiversity. Why? Conventional cotton production practices involve the application of large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. Cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world. Each t-shirt uses a quarter-pound worth of toxic chemicals. Pesticides threaten soil and water quality. Pesticide, fertilizer, and mineral runoff from cotton fields pollutes rivers, lakes, wetlands, and underground aquifers. These pollutants affect biodiversity directly through immediate toxicity and indirectly through long-term accumulation. Water diversion and pollution from cotton farming has had serious impacts on important ecosystems such as the Aral Sea in Central Asia, the Indus Delta in Pakistan, and the Murray Darling River in Australia. 10% of all agricultural chemicals in the United States are used in cotton production, despite it accounting for only 1% of all agricultural land in the country.
The Solution
At Della Terra, we are committed to responsible, progressive and sustainable farming practices. We make sure our fibers are certified. Why is this so important? Even though organic cotton is beneficial for our soils and the people who grow it, unfortunately, only 1% of cotton grown worldwide is certified organic. The amount of water needed for 1 kg of organic cotton is 1/4 of the amount of water needed for 1 kg of non-organic cotton. Additionally, organic cotton is the most skin-friendly natural fiber, and by not using toxic pesticides, it avoids health problems and deaths common associated with non-organic cotton production. This also reduces production costs and debts for farmers.
How can I help?
Show your support for sustainable cotton by reaching out to your favorite clothing brands and asking if they use certified organic cotton or are part of the Better Cotton Initiative. If they do, great. If not, ask them when they plan to start contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry. For more radical action, commit to only buying organic or BCI cotton or donate to organizations that are transforming cotton farming practices, like the WWF.
BCI Cotton
Organic cotton is wonderful, but getting certified can be a costly and time-consuming project, making it impossible for most farmers to get certified in the near future. For this reason, an alternative sustainable solution was created. The WWF started a pilot project to promote better ways of growing cotton. Due to its immediate success, the project evolved into an organization called the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). At DELLA TERRA we support BCI by requiring our suppliers to be BCI members and we see it as a wonderful transition towards fully organic and regenerative agriculture worldwide.
The Problem
As explained in our section on organic cotton, the way conventional cotton is grown is extremely damaging to the environment and threatens its biodiversity. Conventional cotton production practices involve the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, which threatens soil and water quality.
The Solution
At Della Terra, we are committed to responsible, progressive and sustainable agricultural practices. We ensure that our fibres are certified and our suppliers are part of the BCI organisation.
How can I help?
Show your support for sustainable cotton by reaching out to your favorite clothing brands and asking if they use certified organic cotton or are part of the Better Cotton Initiative. If they do, great. If not, ask them when they plan to start contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry. For more radical action, commit to only buying organic or BCI cotton or donate to organizations that are transforming cotton farming practices, like the WWF.
OTHER NATURAL FIBERS WE USE
Hemp
A sustainable, durable and versatile fiber, hemp has a long history of use as a clothing fiber. In fact, it has been cultivated for thousands of years on almost every continent. It has been used in clothing, rope and sails. The word "canvas" is rumored to come from the word "cannabis."
More information
Hemp literally chokes out any competing plants. This means that there is no need to use herbicides. It also naturally reduces pests, so pesticides are usually not needed. Additionally, hemp returns 60-70% of nutrients to the soil. Furthermore, it requires about 50% less water compared to cotton at its cultivation stage and during processing, cotton uses four times more water than hemp. Hemp also requires a relatively small amount of land to grow. According to the Sustainable Textiles Guide, this means that it can produce up to twice the fiber yield per hectare than cotton. Finally, hemp fibers are strong, durable, and versatile, with several natural advantages, such as keeping you warm in winter, cool in summer, and even protecting you from UV rays.
Linen
We love linen. Naturally, it is one of the most sustainable fibres due to its low dependence on chemicals and water. Furthermore, it is a highly versatile and efficient crop, whose residues have other uses. For example, its seeds can be used to create oils and edible products such as linseed. Apart from its environmental benefits, linen is the second strongest fibre in the world (30% stronger than cotton), it is breathable and absorbs moisture, making it an ideal fabric for both hot and cold climates.
More information about Flax
Flax comes from the flax plant, which uses virtually zero energy and zero water to grow. Plus, flax requires no fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides, meaning it doesn't pollute rivers or groundwater. It can be grown in poor soil, and after harvest, the roots left behind fertilize and clean the soil. Flax also retains 3.7 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, making it a carbon-negative fiber (meaning it removes more CO2 than it emits). And as if all this wasn't enough to love about flax, its biodegradation time is just 2 weeks!
Certified Flax
At Della Terra we work with EUROPEAN FLAX® certified linen, which guarantees local agriculture committed to reducing the ecological footprint through zero irrigation, zero waste and cultivation without genetically modified organisms (GMO). Therefore, a process such as scarifying does not use any chemicals at all, and the spinning is done mechanically to manipulate the fibers carefully and preserve their structure and qualities.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal
TENCEL™ lyocell and Modal fibers are produced using environmentally responsible processes. These fibers are created from sustainably sourced natural wood, a renewable raw material created through photosynthesis. TENCEL™ fibers are biodegradable and compostable (they are certified as such), meaning they can easily and completely return to nature.
More information about TENCEL™
Production processes are continuously refined to maximise resource efficiency and minimise environmental impact. As a result, the carbon emissions and water consumption of TENCEL™ fibres are up to 50% lower compared to generic lyocell.
Properties
Modal fibers offer textiles a long-lasting quality of exquisite softness. TENCEL™ Modal fibers enhance the softness of fabrics even after repeated washings. Measurements show that TENCEL™ Modal fibers feel twice as soft as cotton. Additionally, one of the most notable qualities of TENCEL™ fibers is their ability to enhance breathability. The smooth surface of the fiber absorbs and releases moisture efficiently, thus supporting the body’s natural thermal regulation.
Bamboo
Bamboo grows quickly, requires very little water, fertilizers or pesticides, and sequesters a large amount of carbon dioxide, absorbing five times more carbon dioxide and releasing 35% more oxygen than equivalent trees. It also regenerates naturally, so harvesting bamboo allows the plant to survive.
The problem
Bamboo is great, but unfortunately, most bamboo fabrics on the market are a form of rayon, where the manufacturing process is intensive and involves harmful chemicals. In recent years, there has been an improvement in the management of these chemicals, but it still requires improvements to reduce environmental impact. Bamboo lyocell is a much more sustainable alternative, but it is harder to find and this is the type of bamboo fiber we use at DELLA TERRA.
The verdict
Bamboo fabrics are certainly an improvement over conventional polyester and cotton, and as long as the brand is transparent about its origins, it can be considered a more sustainable option.
Recycled PET:
Approximately 49% of the world’s clothing is made from polyester and projections show this will double by 2030. However, polyester is not a sustainable textile option as it is made from PET, the most common type of plastic in the world. In short, most of our clothing comes from crude oil. Recycled polyester is made by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fibres.
The 'Pros'
Recycled polyester gives a second life to a non-biodegradable material that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans. Eight million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. If we keep up this pace, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Recycled polyester is just as good as virgin polyester but requires fewer resources to manufacture; its production requires 59% less energy compared to virgin polyester and 32% less CO2 emissions. In addition, recycled polyester can contribute to reducing the extraction of crude oil and natural gas from the Earth to make more plastic.
The 'Cons'
Recycling plastic into clothing has its limitations and is not a closed loop in most cases, as many garments are not made of just polyester, but rather a mix of polyester and other materials. In that case, it is more difficult, if not impossible, to recycle them. Additionally, like virgin polyether, recycled polyester, when washed, releases microplastics that end up in rivers and oceans.
The Verdict
Recycling is always a good thing as it means less waste in landfills and less exploitation of natural resources. However, polyester, even when recycled, has some negative impacts on our environment. So at Della Terra we use it sparingly and only when necessary.
RAMIE
Ramie is a natural fiber commonly known as Chinese nettle or Chinese grass. It comes from the Chinese plant called Boehmeria nivea. The fibers of the plant are used to produce a linen-like textile. Ramie has been used for centuries in Asia, especially in China, for the manufacture of textiles. It is valued for its strength, durability, and ability to hold its shape, even when wet.
Sustainability:
CUPRO
Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton linter, a byproduct of the cotton industry. It is known as “vegan silk.” Cupro textiles have gained popularity in the fashion industry due to its unique properties and sustainability benefits:
Benefits of Cupro in Sustainability:
hello@dellaterra.co
AID
ABOUT DELLATERRA
JOIN US
Subscribe to our community to get 10% off your first purchase!
Calle 24 #3 - 46 Cali, Colombia +57 310 237 8061 DELLATERRA© 2023
Ramie
Ramie is a natural fiber commonly known as Chinese nettle or Chinese grass. It comes from the Chinese plant called Boehmeria nivea. The fibers of the plant are used to produce a linen-like textile. Ramie has been used for centuries in Asia, especially in China, for the manufacture of textiles. It is valued for its strength, durability, and ability to hold its shape, even when wet.
Sustainability
Natural and Biodegradable: Ramie is a natural fiber and as such is biodegradable. When the fabric reaches the end of its life cycle, it can be broken down without causing long-term environmental damage. Additionally, ramie cultivation generally requires fewer pesticides and fertilizers compared to some other crops such as cotton and is more water-efficient. It can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, does not rely heavily on chemical inputs, and can be grown with minimal irrigation, making it less demanding on water resources.
Cupro
Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton linter, a byproduct of the cotton industry. It is known as “vegan silk.” Cupro textiles have gained popularity in the fashion industry due to its unique properties and sustainability benefits:
Benefits & Sustainability
Being derived from a cotton by-product, it helps reduce waste in the cotton industry. Closed-Loop Production: Some Cupro manufacturing processes operate in a closed-loop system, where the solvents used to dissolve the cellulose are recovered and reused. This reduces the environmental impact associated with chemical processes.
Biodegradability: Cupro is a biodegradable fiber, meaning it can break down naturally over time, reducing its environmental impact at the end of its lifecycle. Reduced Water Use: While Cupro production still involves some chemical processing, it typically requires less water compared to traditional cotton processing, contributing to lower water usage.