 Environmental Statement
Because the amount of fabric in use in commercial buildings is relatively small and highly mixed in terms of yarn types and finishes and the labor costs required to remove fabrics from upholstered furniture would be extremely high there are currently no programs available to recycle used fabrics into new ingredients for other products. Hence, products that can be recycled and viable recycling programs are considerations we believe will address in the not-too-distant future. The major opportunities for today are very much centered on how fabrics are manufactured. A good starting point when considering how environmentally friendly fabrics are is the useful life of the fabric. How long will the end user be able to use the fabric before it begins to show signs of wear and need to be replaced? All of Sina Pearson Textiles fabrics are rated as heavy duty under the Association for Contract Textiles (A.C.T.) guidelines. In fact, virtually all of our fabrics have been rated as exceeding 50,000 double rubs under the Wyzenbeek testing method. We believe that both synthetic and natural fibers can be used to create environmentally sensitive products for the end user. Our European natural fiber mills, located in England, Ireland, Holland and Germany all conform to specific government standards for dying, weaving and finishing. Environmentally friendly, non-poisonous acid and pre-metalized dyes are used under direct supervision of purification boards who regularly monitor waste water. That same enlightened attitude toward maintaining manufacturing processes that protect the environment is very much in evidence in our U.S. mills as well. One of the synthetic fibers in use at two of our U.S. mills merits addition comment. Our textile collection includes 6 affordable and extremely durable patterns woven in the U.S. in 100% Zeftron® Contex solution dyed nylon. This American-made fiber includes the following environmentally sound advantages:
Finally, much has already been done by U.S. and European mills to change traditional manufacturing operations to be more responsive to the demands of governments and, lately, end users that environmental concerns be given top priority. Sina Pearson Textiles will continue to strive to work with the most committed mills to develop fabrics that are environmentally friendly.
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