Biodegradable Textile and Bangladesh: An Eco-Friendly Alternative for the Textile Industry

One of the world’s biggest and most powerful industries, the textile sector produces textiles, apparel, and other substances for various uses. But because it uses a lot of energy, water, and chemicals and produces a lot of trash and pollution, the textile sector also dramatically influences the environment. According to the UN, the textile sector is accountable for the world’s carbon emissions of about 10%, 20% of its wastewater, and 35% of the microplastics in the ocean. A viable strategy to mitigate the ecological impact of the textile sector is the utilization of biodegradable textiles, which are materials or fibers that can naturally break down through the action of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Since they produce less waste and pollution in the textile business, biodegradable textiles are considered kinder to the environment than synthetic or non-biodegradable ones. Because biodegradable fabrics are less likely to produce toxicity, allergies, or irritation, they can also improve the health and comfort of those who wear them.

Biodegradable textiles can be made from a variety of renewable and natural sources, including microorganisms, plants, and animals. Textiles made of hemp, cotton, bamboo, lyocell, silk, linen, ramie, jute, and other materials are examples of biodegradable materials. These materials’ various qualities—such as their resilience, breathability, softness, color, and texture—can be combined to make a wide range of inventive and varied textile industry goods. To improve their visual appeal and practicality, biodegradable textiles can also be dyed using natural pigments like bacteria or plant-based hues. Biodegradable textiles benefit society, the economy, and the environment in addition to the atmosphere. The textile business may save expenses and resources, open new markets, enhance worker and consumer well-being, and increase quality of life by utilizing biodegradable textiles. In the textile sector, biodegradable textiles can also advance the principles of sustainability, circularity, and social responsibility. They can also support international initiatives to halt climate change and environmental deterioration. Because they have so many advantages over synthetic or non-biodegradable textiles, biodegradable textiles are an environmentally responsible choice for the textile industry. In addition to producing more ethical and sustainable goods for consumers and society, biodegradable textiles can lessen the textile industry’s adverse effects on the environment. Biodegradable textiles promise a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future for the textile industry.

Impact on the environment of biodegradable textiles compared to others

Biodegradable textiles are ones that spontaneously break down due to the activity of microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. Compared to non-biodegradable textiles, composed of synthetic or chemically modified materials that pollute the air, soil, and water in landfills, they are thought to be more environmentally benign. In addition to lowering waste as well as greenhouse gas emissions, biodegradable fabrics eventually enrich the soil with nutrients. Here are a few instances of biodegradable textiles:

1. Cotton: The cotton plant produces cotton, a natural material. It is resilient, breathable, and velvety. In conditions like composting, cotton can biodegrade in around five months.
2. Wool: The fleece of sheep, goats, alpacas, and other animals is the source of this natural fiber. It is water-resistant, warm, and insulating. Wool can biodegrade in a composting environment in roughly a year.
3. Silk: The cocoons of silkworms are the source of this natural material. It is robust, glossy, and silky. When composted, silk can biodegrade in four years or less.
4. Hemp: The stalks of the hemp plant are the source of this natural fabric. It is antibacterial, robust, and absorbent. When composted, hemp can biodegrade in roughly six months.
5. Bamboo: The pulp of the bamboo plant is the source of this natural fiber. It is UV-protective, silky, and antibacterial. When composted, bamboo can biodegrade in around a year.
6. Lyocell: Made from cellulose in wood pulp, lyocell is a semi-synthetic fabric. It is biodegradable, silky, and moisture-wicking. When composting, lyocell can biodegrade in roughly six weeks.
7. PLA: Polylactic acid, or PLA, is a synthetic fiber derived from the fermentation of sugar cane or corn starch. It is renewable, biodegradable, and compostable. PLA can biodegrade in an industrial composting setting in roughly three months.

Biodegradable textiles have fewer adverse effects on the environment regarding energy and water consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and water pollution than non-biodegradable textiles like spandex, polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Textiles that aren’t biodegradable come from fossil fuels like petroleum, which aren’t replenishable and cause global warming. Additionally, when they are washed, they discharge microplastics into the waterways, endangering human health and aquatic life. In landfills, non-biodegradable textiles may take hundreds of years to break down before leaving behind hazardous residues. As a result, compared to non-biodegradable textiles, biodegradable textiles are more environmentally friendly and sustainable. They can aid in lowering the adverse social and environmental effects of the fast fashion business, which creates a lot of inexpensive, disposable apparel that is disposed of in landfills or incinerators. Customers may promote a circular economy that reduces waste and increases resource efficiency by selecting biodegradable textiles.

Importance of biodegradable textiles, From Bangladesh’s standpoint

Bangladesh needs biodegradable textiles from an environmental and commercial standpoint. Bangladesh is one of the nations most susceptible to climate change, including cyclones, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. Millions of people’s lives and means of subsistence are at risk due to these effects, particularly the impoverished and disenfranchised. By lowering the quantity of waste and greenhouse gas emissions produced by the textile industry, one of the nation’s biggest and most polluting industries, biodegradable textiles can help lessen the effects of climate change. When biodegradable textiles break down, they release organic matter and nutrients that enhance soil fertility and quality.

Furthermore, Bangladesh’s textile industry, the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made clothing, may benefit from new prospects of biodegradable textiles. Given the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly goods in the international market, the country can carve out a market for biodegradable textiles. Additionally, biodegradable textiles might boost the sector’s value addition and broaden its product line, which currently mainly consists of low-priced, low-quality goods. The industry’s reputation and competitiveness, which have been damaged by concerns about subpar working conditions, low pay, and human rights abuses, can both be improved using biodegradable textiles.

As a result, Bangladesh needs biodegradable textiles to fulfill its objectives for social fairness, economic growth, and environmental preservation. Textiles made with biodegradable materials can also support the government’s goal of Bangladesh being a middle-income nation by 2021 and a developed country by 2041. However, further research and development, awareness-raising and education, policy and regulation, cooperation, and innovation in Bangladesh’s textile industry are all needed to achieve the potential of biodegradable textiles.

Limitations Of Biodegradable Textiles

From a Bangladeshi viewpoint, biodegradable textiles do, however, also confront certain difficulties and restrictions. Several of these include:

1. Lack of demand and awareness: Many Bangladeshi producers and customers may not be prepared to pay a premium for biodegradable textiles due to their lack of knowledge about the qualities and advantages of such materials. To increase stakeholder awareness as well as demand for biodegradable textiles, more outreach and education are required.
2. Expensive and low quality: Because biodegradable textiles are made from fewer and lower-quality raw ingredients, technology, and infrastructure, they are frequently more costly and less long-lasting than conventional textiles. More investigation and creativity are required to lower the price and raise the standard of biodegradable cloth.
3. Inadequate standardization and regulation: Bangladesh’s lack of adequate standards and regulations for biodegradable textiles can cause misunderstandings, fraud, and improper usage of the word. Government, business, and civil society organizations must collaborate more closely to develop and implement uniform, unambiguous rules and guidelines for biodegradable textiles.

Final usage of biodegradable textiles from Bangladesh’s perspective:

From a Bangladeshi perspective, the following are some potential applications for biodegradable textiles are given below:

1. Biodegradable single-use bags: A scientist from Bangladesh created a biodegradable single-use bag using jute, a naturally occurring material extensively grown there. The bags are intended to replace plastic bags, which are prohibited in many nations and detrimental to the environment. The bags are recyclable and can break down in three months in soil.

• Agro-textile products: Textiles used in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, floriculture, fisheries, landscaping, and animal husbandry are known as agro-textile products. Sunscreens, cargo sacks, insect meshes, ground covers, nets, and mulch mats are a few examples of agro-textile products. These chemicals can help preserve water and soil, protect plants from diseases and pests, increase the aesthetic value of gardening and landscapes, and increase crop productivity and quality. Jute, cotton, silk, wool, and bamboo are examples of eco-friendly materials which can be used to create agro-textile products.

• Recycled textile products: Fabric scraps, yarns, fibers, and clothing are examples of waste materials produced by the textile and apparel industry that are turned into textiles. One of the most polluting sectors of the global environment, the textile industry, can have a less negative environmental impact with the aid of these items. Additionally, recycled textile goods can reduce the cost of importing raw materials and provide new job opportunities for the community. Carpets, rugs, mats, blankets, quilts, pillows, bags, and accessories are a few examples of products made from recycled textiles.

• Biodegradable sanitary pads: Made from natural and organic materials like cotton, corn starch, bamboo, and banana fibers, biodegradable sanitary pads comprise feminine hygiene products. These goods can offer a secure and cozy substitute for traditional sanitary pads, which are composed of synthetic materials like gel, rayon, and plastic. In addition to reducing the risk to human health and the environment, biodegradable sanitary pads can stop non-biodegradable waste from building up in landfills and waterways.

• Biodegradable medical textiles: These textiles are utilized in tissue engineering, wound dressing, surgical sutures, implants, medication delivery, and personal protection equipment, among other medical and healthcare applications. These products can lessen the chance of problems and negative responses while also promoting better healing and preventing infections. Because biodegradable medical textiles can break down spontaneously in the body or the environment, there may be no need to remove or dispose of the materials after usage. Biodegradable medical textiles can be made from silk, chitosan, collagen, alginate, and cellulose.

• Biodegradable packaging materials: Products including food, drinks, electronics, cosmetics, and medications can all be wrapped, stored, or protected with biodegradable packaging materials. One of the leading causes of pollution and trash in the world, plastic packaging, might have a less negative effect on the environment with the use of these materials. Additional advantages of using biodegradable packaging materials include increased product quality, freshness, and shelf life. Jute, starch, cellulose, as well as polylactic acid (PLA) are a few types of biodegradable packing materials.

• Biodegradable fashion items: Made from organic and natural materials including cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and bamboo, biodegradable fashion products include apparel, accessories, and footwear. The fashion business is frequently criticized for its detrimental effects on society and the environment, including labor exploitation, excessive water use, and emissions of greenhouse gases. These items can support the development of a more ethical and sustainable fashion sector. Additional benefits that biodegradable fashion products may provide include breathability, comfort, durability, and biocompatibility. Biodegradable fashion items include dresses, blouses, skirts, caps, shoes, bags, and scarves.

• Biodegradable home textiles: These are textiles that can be used for upholstery, carpets, curtains, towels, and bedding, among other household items. Because they can lessen exposure to dangerous chemicals and synthetic fibers, as well as the buildup of dust, allergies, and microbes, these textiles can create more environmentally friendly and healthful living spaces. Additionally, biodegradable fabrics for the house can improve the functionalities and aesthetic appeal of the space. Biodegradable home textiles include carpets, cushions, blankets, curtains, pillows, and rugs.

Conclusion

Biodegradable textiles offer a viable and sustainable substitute for traditional textiles, contributing to both environmental preservation and the growth of Bangladesh’s textile sector. Regarding awareness, demand, price, quality, and regulation, biodegradable textiles do, however, also confront certain difficulties and restrictions. Therefore, to overcome these obstacles and encourage the use and manufacturing of biodegradable textiles in Bangladesh, there is a need for increased research, innovation, education, and cooperation among the stakeholders. Biodegradable textiles can improve the nation’s and the world’s social, economic, as well as environmental well-being. Therefore, to overcome these obstacles and encourage the use and manufacturing of biodegradable textiles in Bangladesh, there is a need for increased research, innovation, education, and cooperation among the stakeholders. Biodegradable textiles can improve the nation’s and the world’s social, economic, in addition environmental well-being.

References:

1. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-031-09710-2_54
2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-environments-new-clothes-biodegradable-textiles-grown-from-live-organisms/
3. https://www.u-long.com/en/category/Biodegradable-Textile.html
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-021-04851-7
5. https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/250905/is-agro-textile-the-future-for-an-environmentally
6. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/bangladesh-invents-biodegradable-throw-away-bag/
7. https://adelphi.de/en/projects/supporting-sustainability-and-the-environment-in-bangladeshs-textile-and-leather-sector