Dirt & Demeter Textile Standard

Turning fashion into a climate solution

 

The Biodynamic Federation Demeter International has partnered with DIRT Charity to broaden its certification standards beyond food and wine by introducing new standards to certify biodynamic textiles for a regenerative fashion supply chain.

A new standard for textiles

The Demeter & DIRT textile standard aims to certify biodynamic practices for the sustainable production, processing, and disposal of textiles, transforming fashion into a climate solution and promoting sustainability at every stage of textile production.

The standard covers ten raw textile materials, including cotton, silk, wool, leather, tree fibres, bast fibres (like linen, flax, and hemp), feathers, cashmere, and mushroom leather. Natural dyes from raw materials of plant and mineral origin to colour the clothes have already been introduced in the Demeter Standard since September.

What’s more, Demeter-certified garments must be compostable or easily disassembled for recycling, thus guaranteeing responsible management of textile waste. Composting these non-toxic, Demeter-certified textiles enriches the soil, enhances soil fertility, supports biodiversity, and aids in climate change mitigation – returning to the soil, where it all starts.

High environmental standards

This collaboration between Demeter and DIRT Charity aims to tackle pollution challenges within the fashion industry. Producers, suppliers, and brands adhering to Demeter’s textile standards will positively impact water purity, soil fertility, and air quality. Demeter and biodynamic farmers around the world can now consider growing the raw fibres for textiles and turn fashion into a climate solution.

The Demeter and DIRT textile standards raise the bar for environmental and social responsibility, paving the way for a more sustainable textile industry. Unlike other textile certifications, this new standard provides full-spectrum verification. Every stage of production is considered – from growing the raw materials to dyeing, processing. This ensures that the entire garment lifecycle aligns with the highest environmental standards.

Celebrating a regenerative fashion

Recognizing that raw materials in the fashion industry originate from the soil, DIRT Charity is working for a more regenerative approach to fashion. By promoting textile production practices that heal soil and restore nature, DIRT advocates for a long-term approach to environmental sustainability within the fashion industry.

These efforts were recently recognized at the Italian Fashion Week in Milan, where they were presented with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana – the Sustainable Fashion Climate Action Award 2024 – for their leadership in advancing sustainable fashion. A huge congratulations to DIRT Charity on this remarkable achievement and for paving the way for a regenerative future – one where fashion is a climate solution!

DIRT Charity is currently raising funds to develop the remaining nine textile standards, further encouraging brands and suppliers to adopt sustainable and environmentally responsible practices (see the campaign).