It's estimated that the production of textiles results in over 1 billion tones of greenhouse gases every year.
Textiles are used for clothing, carpeting, bags, baskets, and home furnishings. That means that even seemingly simple purchases like blankets can have an impact on the environment.
So how do you make sure that you're buying a blanket that positively impacts the environment? Look for a product made from recycled content, that protects the community in which it's produced, and doesn't require disposal.
Our blankets are all of that and more. Keep reading to learn the difference between Ecuadane and the blankets you shouldn't be buying.
The Average Blanket
Throwing away a poor-quality blanket has more of an environmental impact than you probably realize. Depending on what they’re made from, blankets have a greater effect on the environment than just another item at the landfill.
For example, polyester comes from petroleum, which is crude oil. Crude oil is a non-renewable resource that requires chemicals, energy, and heat to produce. It's also a non-biodegradable fabric.
Cotton is another commonly used fabric in blankets. Cotton takes a lot of water to grow, which has a devastating effect on the environments in which it's grown.
Rayon provides a somewhat different example of environmental consequences. That is, it affects communities as well as nature. Pulpwood plantations require clear-cutting or the displacement of subsistence farmers.
Toward Environmental Consciousness
Many of us think of environmental friendliness as reducing our impact on the land. In reality, being environmentally conscious requires three things. These are:
- Reducing the impact on nature.
- Reducing the impact on communities.
- Thinking about how the product is disposed of.
This way of thinking about environmental consciousness considers every stage of the product life cycle and how it impacts the world and the people living in it.
Choosing an Environmentally Conscious Product Made From Recycled Content
Ecuadane produces artisan blankets that meet all three of these criteria.
First, we reduce our impact on the earth by using recycled materials. Our blankets are made with 100% modacrylic material with recycled content. By 2025, we plan to use 100% recycled fiber in the production of our ultra-soft blankets.
Second, we consider impacts to communities by working with small producers. Our blankets are produced by skilled artisans from the Andean Mountains in Ecuador. They carefully select and handcraft each and every one of our comfortable, recycled blankets.
Lastly, we think about how our blankets are disposed of by making them last a lifetime. Because of the high-quality fabric and craftmanship in our blankets, you'll be able to use them for your lifetime with proper care. That's why we offer a lifetime warranty on any craftsmanship defects in your product.
Browse Our Artisan Blankets
When you're trying to reduce your impact on the environment, you may not have thought to look at blankets. Now that you know the difference between low-quality blankets and a product made from recycled content and with skilled craftmanship, you have one more way to do your part.
Have a look at our unique and timeless designs here.