The Japanese yarn manufacturer that supplied Mukilteo's yarns developed a new viscose1 production method to turn the bamboo into yarn that has a substantially lighter environmental footprint than previous viscose production processes. Manufacturing viscose requires the use of a sulfuric acid bath; so, although the resulting yarn is non-toxic (ours is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, and safe enough to eat), the waste could create an environmental hazard. 

Our manufacturer uses bacteria and enzymes to neutralize the sulfuric acid and thereby returns wastewater to the ecosystem that meets stringent Japanese drinking water standards. There is some outgassing of the sulfuric acid to the air, air pollution. As demand for our bamboo grows, our spinner will be able to afford to address this issue as well. All in all, even with the slight outgassing into the air, we believe bamboo is a very important addition to the world's textile set. 

A dedicated conservationist owns the small mill in Japan where these yarns are woven into fabric. In his state-of-the-art mill, each step of the process has been carefully analyzed to ensure that it is environmentally sound, for example, in 1995, he began treating his wastewater to be compliant with environmental regulations of the Seto Inland Sea, among the strictest in the world. 

Our partner has been among the first to try new green processes, such as using ozone to bleach fabric (in which the only byproduct is oxygen). 

Although there is no wind generator on the premises, he buys wind power from a wind farm north of the mill, the first medium-size enterprise in Japan to do so. This results in a reduction of approximately 370g of carbon dioxide per yard of fabric produced, or 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per 25 yards of fabric (about the amount needed to cover an average sofa). 

1People are often not familiar with the fiber, viscose. For an explanation of what viscose is, click here.