What exactly is recycled cotton macrame cord and how is it made? Where does the recycled cotton cord I buy come from? What does it mean when macrame suppliers claim “made in an ethical trade factory who are also protective of environmental issues”? These are some of the burning questions I’ve had floating around in my head since starting macrame…
Originally, when I started researching this blog post, I realised that perhaps I didn’t want to know the answers to these questions. I had only just started to scrape the surface and I’d already started to suspect that, depending on what I found, I may have to make some drastic changes to my business.
What is recycled cotton macrame cord?
Recycled cotton macrame cord is cord made from cotton garment waste, generally pre-consumer waste from fashion houses. Some recycled cotton also incorporates mill ends from spinning mills and polyester fibres.
Depending on the stockist, some claim to sell 100% recycled cotton macrame cord. Others claim to sell cotton cord made from a mix of 50% fabric waste, 25% mill ends, and 25% polyester fibres.
The lack of information available on the Internet in this area is quite frustrating. It’s hard to prioritise buying sustainable materials when the information about how and where those products are made is so difficult to find.
Why is using recycled cord important?
As I grow older (and wiser!) I’m becoming more aware of the impact my actions have on the environment and other people. Most of us don’t want to do harm to the planet or other people. Although sometimes, as a result of our lack of thought and research, we can unknowingly cause damage to the planet or promote unhealthy working conditions and minimal pay.
Using macrame cord made from recycled cotton is important because cotton requires a massive amount of water to be produced. According to The World Counts, “It takes 10 000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of cotton.” So if cotton is the type of cord chosen to work with in macrame, it makes sense to reuse the cotton fabric that would otherwise have gone to waste.
How is recycled cotton macrame cord made?
Once again I struggled to find much information readily available on this topic on the Internet. Luckily, after reaching out to Knot Knitting to ask about how their recycled cotton macrame cord is made and what conditions the labour force experience, they were kind enough to reply.
According to Knot Knitting: “The recycled cotton is sourced from unused fabrics in the market. The fabrics are grouped into colours and then put into a machine which mulches it back to a pulp and then is spun into our string and rope. By the use of unsold fabrics placed into colour groups there is no added dyes during this process. That’s why sometimes you may find flecks of other colours through the rope. We have certification that the company we buy from has fair work policies.”
*Knot Knitting sells macrame supplies, yarn, and much more. They have an online shop as well as a warehouse showroom in Geraldton, Western Australia.
Benefits of working with cotton cord
Cotton cord is the most common type of fibre used for macrame. There are many benefits to working with cotton cord instead of man-made fibres such as nylon and polyester. Some of the benefits of cotton include it’s softness, it’s readily available, it comes in a wide range of colours, it’s affordable, it’s relatively strong, and it can be washed.
In terms of sustainability, cotton is a renewable resource. Cotton is also biodegradable, meaning if it’s left outside in the elements it will eventually decompose. Man-made fibres are not biodegradable.
Of course, there are downsides to working with cotton as well. Because it’s biodegradable, if not properly cared for the cotton can begin to deteriorate. Bugs and rodents are known to nibble on the natural fibres, so regular care and maintenance is important. Finally, cotton is susceptible to mildew, so it needs to be well-ventilated and kept away from wet areas.
How is recycled cotton macrame cord packaged?
Most recycled cotton macrame cord seems to be rolled onto recycled cardboard cones. So that’s one point for sustainability.
Unfortunately, almost all of the recycled cotton cord I’ve come across comes from the supplier individually wrapped in plastic. I’m not sure why this plastic couldn’t be replaced with paper if it’s a matter of protecting the cord during transit? If anyone can shed any light on this let me know in the comments below.
The last thing you need to know about recycled cotton macrame cord
Using recycled cotton macrame cord is a brilliant way to reap the benefits of working with cotton, while minimising your impact on the environment. Although it’s important to buy from reputable suppliers who are focused on increasing sustainability and honoring fair work practices.
Leave a comment if you’ve found any macrame cords suppliers in your area that have good ethics and a strong commitment to sustainability.
