7 SUSTAINABLE ASPECTS OF LINEN

Linen. A natural material that has been reclaiming its place as the king of materials in recent years. We usually associate the fabric with an inconspicuous grey-beige color with the rustic aesthetic of Nordic minimalists or the Instagram-perfect styling of fashion influencers promoting the so-called "slow" way of life. As a result, linen is often labeled a sustainable and eco-friendly material. Thanks to its growing popularity, it is more affordable and commonly available in fast fashion chains. How is flax really doing? Does it deserve its increasing popularity or is it just a big-chain marketing ploy? We've prepared 7 reasons why we believe linen is one of the most responsible options.

The linen material is extremely strong yet soft, lightweight, and durable. It has a distinctive texture and is anti-allergic and antibacterial. While many of us associate linen fabric primarily with light summer products, linen when in a higher weight, can keep you warm in the winter. Growing a flax plant is time-consuming, and many yarn-making processes are still done by hand. This makes linen a rare and valuable material, affecting the product's final price. The natural shades of linen fabric are ivory, beige, brown, and grey.

100% natural:

Flax plant is very unpretentious and fast-growing. It takes about 100 days from sowing the seeds to harvest. After harvesting, the plant will either grow itself or fertilize the root residues and clean the soil, improving soil productivity for the next 6-7 years. The plant does not require many fertilizers and pesticides, is pest resistant, and requires no chemical processes to produce the fabric. When linen is not subjected to the dyeing process, it is 100% biodegradable and compostable.

Locality:

Flax plant thrives in the temperate climates of Western Europe - up to 85% of global production is grown in Europe, mainly in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This makes the flax plant one of the most environmentally friendly materials for us in Europe, as none of the commonly used natural materials can be grown in our climate. Another advantage of local cultivation is the creation of new employment opportunities for local people and the associated provision of ethical conditions for farmers and growers. In addition, local production also reduces the carbon footprint of transporting materials.

Carbon negative = Climate positive:

So that growing a flax plant could be carbon neutral but even carbon negative? Yes.

One hectare of flax plants can remove 3.7 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. This means that all the flax plants grown in Europe remove approximately 250 000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. In addition, flax cultivation positively impacts the diversity of ecosystems and offers a welcome environmental break for soil quality, biodiversity, and landscape.

Zero-waste production and circularity:

Flax is one of the few plants used to produce textiles that can boast its versatility for non-textile uses. The long fibers from the stems are used to make textile material, while the shorter residual fibers can be used as a basis for paper production. Flax seeds are known for their high omega-3 content and can be used in the kitchen as linseed oil. The rest of the plant can be processed as animal feed or biomaterials. After the flax fabric has lived its life cycle, it can still be recycled into paper or insulation materials.

Unpretentious plant:

Flax is a very unpretentious plant and grows quickly, even in poor soil. It needs 60% less water than cotton and can often get by without artificial irrigation, using only rainwater.In comparison, it takes about 2 700 liters of water to produce a cotton shirt, whereas a linen shirt requires only 6.4 liters.

Resilience:

Linen is 30% stronger than cotton - with the proper care, it will last a very long time. The fiber can withstand high temperatures, sunlight, and frequent washing and is abrasion resistant. The material may feel stiffer at first, but with each successive wash, the linen fabric will become softer. So the longer you have the piece, the more comfortable and pliable it becomes!

Easy care:

In addition to the ecological demands of producing the material, it is crucial to consider the environmental footprint we create while wearing the piece. Unlike synthetic fibers, linen does not release any microplastics when washed. In addition, linen gets noticeably less dirty than other materials, so many times, washing can be avoided altogether. After normal wear, just hang the product in the window for fresh air, and overnight the linen piece is as good as new. If local stains appear, they can be removed by hand washing with, for example, laundry soap. A low temperature is recommended when washing in the washing machine; the ideal temperature for the material and the environment is 30°.

So whether it is the low intensity of growing the plant or the minimal care requirements for flax products, flax material is sustainable from its seed to the final product. With the proper care and a well-chosen product, you can have a piece that will last forever and increase in value as the years go by. At venna.studio, we are happy to advise you on which product is suitable for which occasion and how to extend the life of your piece even further.