From a passion for knitwear and an insatiable curiosity for new creations; years of fun have translated into the sole proprietor company Class of 72, which, stimulated by a requirement for Vat registration, evolved into KBY Clothing. The bamboo plant has risen to the challenge of meeting and sustaining the world’s requirements for an eco-friendly product. It does this in a number of ways:
• It is
the fastest growing woody plant in the world – up to a metre in 24 hours and reaching maturity in 3 to 5 years.
• In doing so it puts out 35% more oxygen into the air than a normal hardwood forest, thus decreasing greenhouse gases.
• The bamboo can be harvested without killing the plant, so that the topsoil is actually held in place and further nourished by the falling leaves thus protecting agricultural lands for generations of plants to come – this makes it a renewable source - it can be harvested over and over without any damage to the surrounding environment and is therefore an environmentally friendly choice.
• As such it provides a cash crop for third world economies and amazingly caters for our society of ‘instant gratification’ without depleting the resources.
•
Bamboo can actually restore lands that were over-farmed, overgrazed or poorly treated.
• Further to this bamboo is by nature antibacterial and retains those properties in 100% bamboo products.
• Not only does it resist bacteria and fungi but also pests.
• The bamboo plants durability allows it to grow and flourish without the use of any pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals of any nature whatsoever.
• and …. Besides all this eco-friendly stuff why bamboo knitwear! Bamboo fabric is one of the most versatile and sustainable clothing options on the market, without causing harm to the environment. It is:
• softer and smoother to the touch;
• strong and flexible with great drape and a good luster and can be made to look like a variety of high-end materials such as silk
• wrinkle free
• very durable with great stability; versatile, colour fast
• Highly absorbent – wicking the moisture away, keeping you cool and dry
• a breathable fabric that adapts to the temperature around you keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The fibres internal structure has tiny gaps which allow for ventilation in the summer and provide insulation by trapping warm air closer to your skin in the winter
• hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for people allergic to animal fibres, for babies and for those with sensitive skin
• Protective – with its natural antibacterial, anti-static and anti-fungal properties and can also protect you from harmful ultraviolet rays
• completely biodegradable in its 100% form – it will be gone within 10 months if you bury it
• keeps away moisture and odour and simultaneously does not cling to the skin.
• Eco-friendly due to
o Its sustainable resources and
o Ease of dyeing – allowing it to absorb the colour more quickly and deeply facilitating the use and less / more natural dye products
Too good to be true? While the bamboo plant is a renewable resource, the chemicals used to process the plant into yarn are not so earth friendly. Lye can be toxic to the environment if not used responsibly. However, if bamboo is cultivated using proper sustainable methods, and manufactured by trustworthy, environmentally aware companies, it is an excellent alternative material. KBY Clothing’s source of bamboo holds the following certificates:
• OCIA/NOP – ensuring 100% natural growth of bamboo without any chemical pesticides or chemical organic materials. Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International is one of the world's oldest, largest and most trusted leaders in the organic certification industry.
• Oeko-tex 100 Class I – ensuring the fibre is free of harmful substances. Class 1 is the most stringent class – covering textiles close to the skin and catering for babies and toddlers up to 3 years The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council A.C.) ensuring the world’s forests meet the social, ecological, and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations
Further to this the source company takes pride in its
• Production management by ensuring a process of filtration and reclamation prior to sewage discharge
• Use of azo-free environmental-protecting dyestuffs or vegetal dyestuffs
• Strict control of the quality of raw material and well-selected non-polluted bamboo
• guarantee that the ORGANIC bamboo yarn is
o made from 100% bamboo raw material. o Free from chemical material prohibited from European Law
o Free from Heavy Metals
• Provision of FREE test services for customer for both raw material and final product and PURITY TEST REPORT for every shipment, along with tests for chemical materials and Heavy Metals
