Ever wondered what’s in your elastic? Or who made it…. or how?
In the murky world of textile production elastic stands out for its opacity. Often arriving with minimal information regarding its origin, or even its composition, leaving you guessing at its quality, effectiveness or even safety. Thankfully, CHARLE Premium Haberdashery elastic is different. Join us as we explore eight compelling reasons why choosing CHARLE elastic isn’t just better for your garments, but for your health, the planet and the people behind it.
1. IT WON'T MELT OR DISTORT
Conventional elastics are made from synthetic rubber bands (elastane) and usually coated with nylon/polyester threads which are sensitive to heat. This means when you go to iron your natural fibres (which require a higher heat), your elastic can be damaged or even melt. This ultimately reduces its effectiveness and lifespan. The natural ingredients used in CHARLE elastics are able to withstand higher temperatures and are more compatible with the care needs of other natural fibres.
2. IT FEELS BETTER
CHARLE cover their natural rubber (latex) in either organic cotton or Tencel™ so it feels softer in your hands and against your skin. It can be used both in a casing or directly against the skin (bar any latex allergies). You may even find that your elastic wrinkles at rest because cotton wrinkles! This does not impact on its performance, once stretched out the wrinkles disappear. Conventional, synthetic elastics feel like plastic because, they are!
3. IT LASTS LONGER
CHARLE elastics are made from only high quality materials using robust manufacturing methods. They have been tested against heat and chlorine and shown to do their job for longer than conventional elastics that stretch out, snap and distort, usually well before the garment is done.
4. YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN IT
CHARLE elastics are created using only two simple materials: natural rubber (latex) and organic cotton OR natural rubber and Tencel™. The natural rubber is sourced from Malaysia, the cotton is GOTS certified and sourced from Turkey and the Tencel™ is produced by LENZING AG, who are at the top of the Canopy Hot Button Report as the most responsible cellulosic fibre producer on the globe. The elastics are manufactured by CHARLE in Austria. Trust us when we say that finding this level of transparency in the textile industry is a rarity!
5. IT LEAVES NO TRACE
Elastics made from synthetic rubber (elastane) and polyester aren’t biodegradable, meaning they will sit in landfill (or wherever else they end up) for hundreds of years. Worse yet, they continually release microplastics into the environment and when they do eventually degrade it is only into smaller plastic particles.
CHARLE elastics, on the other hand, are fully biodegradable and have been shown to decompose in a worm farm in 6-8 weeks in optimal conditions. When given the chance, these elastics can be returned to the soil to be transformed into food, not poison.
6. IT IS SAFE FOR YOU
Synthetic fibres are created with dozens of harmful chemicals and sometimes these chemicals are also in the finished product. Only testing can determine if this is the case. It’s hard to find any conventional elastic with clear information about their components, let alone any certifications or safety tests.
CHARLE elastics are made from certified components. The organic cotton is GOTS certified, the natural rubber is OEKO-TEX and REACH certified and Tencel™ has been awarded the EU Eco Label. The elastics also comply with the EU toy standard EN 71-3 and EN 71-12 which assesses for hazardous chemicals. This raft of certifications provides assurances for both the health of the wearer, but also the health of the environment.
7. IT SUPPORTS WORKERS
CHARLE is a company dedicated to supporting safer, fairer working conditions for the people who make their products. They have strict codes of conduct with their suppliers which include no child or forced labour. Their cotton is GOTS certified, a process that looks at both environmental and social impact of production. CHARLE is a member of The Fair Rubber Association which exists to improve the working and living conditions of rubber farmers and includes the payment of fair trade prices.
8. YOU ARE SUPPORTING A BUSINESS WITH GREAT VALUES
CHARLE Premium Haberdashery is a company genuinely motivated to do better. They are actively involved in many associations and organisations working towards a fairer textile industry. If you want to know more about them, check out the detailed information on their website or just ask! It’s not often you are able to get this close to the manufacturers of your products and you simply won’t find another elastic manufacturer quite like them.
Convinced yet? Of course you are! Check out our wide range of safe, fair and lovely elastic and elevate your garments today! Want to read more about CHARLE elastic and the story behind its invention? Check out our Product Spotlight | Is this the Worlds Most Sustainable Elastic?
"Every time you spend money you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want"- Anna Lappe
Additional Resources
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)
Tencel™ by Lenzing AG