Eco Fashion ~ Eco Transition ~ Eco Logical

The True Greening of Balinese Textiles

The True Greening of Balinese textiles is a necessary future, and yet – in these times of Green Transition the current eco-advantage of Balinese products can be seen. This tiny island filled with spirit and love has traditionally made art and craft in every home, every village. Small batik studios and home-crafts are everywhere. The availability of sweat-free labor is an advantage on Bali if you choose your supplier carefully. The Balinese government has also upgraded the ecological practices of the dyeing industry immensely. How to go for the next step? Yes, there are sweat shop practices in Bali – especially in the batik industry, where immigrant workers (mostly from Java) are working in poor conditions dyeing cloth for large production sarongs which are then sold in the markets of Kuta at very cheap prices. Fabric choices are also limited by stringent trade restrictions.

It costs heavily to import organic cotton and other eco-friendly fabrics into Bali, thus the inevitable rayon goods. The rayon used in Bali comes from China – form an unknown supply chain. This is why I am trying to switch my line into cotton, ultimately – organic cotton or hemp.

Rayon itself can be made in a better, more ecological way – and is known as Tencel or Lyocell. Although my past attempts at offering advise to my Balinese friends and cohorts has not garnered the big changes I want for their health, their economy, their future, I will continue to suggest changes and look for openings in the practices of my suppliers in Bali.

Right now one of my batik artists – Ketut Suraya – is building a low-tech dye disposal treatment plant in his tiny studio.

Several of us who use his services are pitching in to pay for the materials and labor. Anyone can donate funding toward the building of a dye disposal treatment project in Bali, Thailand or anywhere textiles are being dyed. The dye waste problem has been very bad there, with very little understanding from the locals as to this toxic problem… and since the studios are usually very near to rice fields, I have been concerned with this for years. it is only now that one of our artist/suppliers has finally gotten the connection for himself, and we can begin to “Green” their dyeing industry - one shop at a time. I have many pictures of this process if you are interested in having your own low-tech treatment facility on site. Many of my Ancient Circles products over the past years have showcased beautiful batiks as developed and/or are handmade by this artist.

We need to support Bali in our Green transition. Look for fabrics which have simple color combinations and avoid the high impact processes of smoking (bleach) and Discharge process (Thiourea dioxide)

Support the Balinese Textile industry by choosing the label “Made in Bali” over that of India, China or other Asian countries with questionable factory conditions in their textile industry. And, ask your supplier if they personally know who dyed and tailored their items. Pay a bit more and get things made with love, supporting the ongoing traditions of work and play in Bali.

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