Traits of an Eco-Friendly Outdoor Upholstery Fabric

What Makes Phifer Fabrics Eco-Friendly?

The definition of “eco-friendly” isn’t as simple to pin down as you might think. There are so many factors that determine whether a fabric qualifies. Sustainability is a complex topic that goes far beyond basic questions of a fabric’s origin. So, when you’re shopping for material, how can you start to figure out what is a sustainable fabric choice? There are a few places to start:

Fiber Type

When you think about eco friendly fibers, a few natural materials such as hemp, linen or cotton are probably the first to come to mind. While there are some wonderful natural fibers out there that can certainly qualify as environmentally- friendly, if you are looking for a natural fiber that’s truly good for the earth, you’ll need to look deeper: Is this fabric certified organic? Is it fair trade? Intensive farming practices, pesticides, water use, dangerous work environments and other realities of large-scale fiber production can end up tipping the scales back the other way.

On the other side of the spectrum, many synthetic fibers begin life as petroleum-derived polymers, or plastics, which can raise some environmental eyebrows. The truth is, just like with natural fibers, the way these fibers and fabrics are produced and the resources required to make and maintain them makes a huge difference in how much they impact the environment. Each type of fiber has a long list of pros and cons, which each consumer needs to take into consideration.

Manufacturing Process

The way a fabric is made has a huge impact on how green it can be considered. For example, Phifer’s GeoBella^® line of high performance designer fabrics is made of 100% olefin. The manufacturing process for olefin fabric like GeoBella is also eco-conscious, with very little waste created during production.

GeoBella is available in a spectacular range of colors, weaves and patterns, and the yarn is solution-dyed, which is better for the environment in several ways. Adding the color in before the fabric is woven means that the issues of dye runoff and chemical color fixatives, which plague other types of fabric, are completely eliminated.

Chemical Off-Gassing

Pollution isn’t just a factory problem. Many of the products we live with and use in our everyday lives are constantly releasing a stream of chemicals into the air. These chemicals, known as Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, are associated with health problems such as respiratory illnesses and headaches. Furnishings and fabrics are some of the worst offenders.

To help combat the issues caused by chemical off-gassing, all of Phifer’s fabrics, including GeoBella and Phifertex^®, hold GREENGUARD^® Gold Certifications. The GREENGUARD Certification program was created to tackle this problem, with stringent standards for low VOC emissions. Fabrics that are GREENGUARD Certified have gone through intense lab testing and are scientifically proven to have low emissions. That’s great news for air quality -- indoors and out.

Recyclability

In the USA, around ten million tons of textiles end up in landfills every year. If these fabrics are natural and biodegradable, they end up releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. If they’re synthetic, they just sit there for centuries. Less than three million tons of fabric are recycled annually, but the number is climbing. That’s why we’re so proud that GeoBella is 100% recyclable. The olefin fibers from GeoBella can be re-extruded into new yarn up to ten times without any loss of quality, while using fewer resources (energy, raw materials, chemicals) than the production of virgin fabric.

Plasticizers

Plasticizers give vinyls their pliability, or unique ability to bend and flex without cracking, breaking or holding memory. They are a key component in vinyl-coated polyester yarn used in our Phifertex fabrics, giving it the flexibility to be sat on repeatedly without losing its shape.

DOW ECOLIBRIUM™ Bio-Based Plasticizers offer a renewable, plant-based composition. These compounds provide a lower carbon footprint, can be recycled in a standard vinyl stream, and also reduce greenhouse gases by 40% versus traditional petroleum-based plasticizers. Phifertex fabrics can be constructed with DOW ECOLIBRIUM plasticizers for an eco-friendly option. This unique green technology can be added to any vinyl-coated polyester product on a custom basis only.