Chunky Rib
Lenzing Modal is a sustainable cellulosic fiber from start to finish. In addition to the low environmental impact of the harvest and production processes, the fibers are biodegradable and compostable, allowing them to eventually revert back to nature.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE
Spandex is plastic. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex with a recycled spandex.
Our chic, Chunky Rib fabric is made of 96% Lenzing Modal and 4% Spandex. This means that not only is it incredibly soft, but it’s also quite sustainable.
Lenzing is an Austrian company that’s revolutionizing sustainable fabrics by focusing on sustainable harvesting and clean manufacturing. The bulk of Lenzing Modal comes from renewable beech trees which grow quickly, don’t rely on artificial irrigation, and propagate on their own.
The beech wood is reduced to fragments and chips that can be turned into usable pulp. This wood pulp is made into cellulosic (or plant-based) fibers. Now, not all cellulosic textiles are sustainable, but Lenzing Modal is a sustainable cellulosic fiber from start to finish.
The fiber production uses a closed-loop process, which means the water used to transform wood pulp to a soft fiber is recycled back for re-use at a recovery rate of 99%. Lenzing is also able to recover and reuse a high percentage of the solvents from the process and make them into non-toxic by-products like common cleaning products.
In addition to the low environmental impact of the harvest and production processes, the fibers are biodegradable and compostable, allowing them to eventually revert back to nature.
In recent years, Lenzing has developed numerous innovative process technologies that make a significant contribution to the conservation of resources and thus to the protection of our environment. To learn more about Lenzing’s high sustainability standards, please visit their site.
Spandex, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. The base material used to make Spandex is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Spandex has a negative impact on the environment. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex with a recycled spandex. This is currently not an option that is available for us, but we are hoping that one day soon, it will be.
LANDFILL LIFETIME: If a Chunky Rib item ended up in a landfill the Lenzing Modal portion would take approximately 8 to 12 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Spandex portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
CARE: Machine washable. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.
NOTE: Chunky Rib fabric can be unpredictable. (Some of the best things in life are.) Be aware this fabric is prone to irregularity, and it may shrink or grow. If it grows, wash it - if the ribs shrink, iron them out. Whatever you do, do not hang. Always store folded.