The viscose manufacturing process is chemically intensive and requires copious amounts of water. Wastewater effluents from processing must be properly treated to avoid contamination of surrounding water bodies. Air emissions caused by the viscose process include sulfur, nitrous oxides, carbon disulfide and hydrogen disulfide. Chronic exposure to carbon disulfide can cause damage to the nervous system in humans.[3]
===Dyeingand printing===
The dyeing processes for viscose is a multi-step process that involves ample amounts of water at high temperatures (50°-95°C), salt, acetic acid and caustic soda. Mild peroxide bleach may also be necessary to remove residues of sulfur.
===Consumer care/washing===
Viscose is typically dry-clean only, due to delicacy of the fabric when wet. Some types of viscose can be machine or handwashed.
• Discourage suppliers from using old-growth trees as feedstock for viscose fabrics, especially those harvested from the following endangered forest areas: Canadian boreal forest; coastal temperate Rainforests of the Pacific Northwest; US; Chile; Tropical forests of Indonesia; and the Amazon.[2]
• Encourage suppliers to use raw materials sourced from responsibly managed forests registered in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system and/or sourced from Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests.[2]
• Encourage suppliers to use raw materials sourced from responsibly managed forests registered in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system and/or sourced from Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests.[2]
===Lenzing Viscose®===
Lenzing Viscose® gives more attention to overall sustainability. The various chemical and waste products that result from the production process are recycled or sold. Viscose from Lenzing is PEFC certified, which means that the raw material is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
New forms of viscose-type materials are emerging, and can be made through various types of processes, including lyocell. Lyocell material properties are similar to traditional viscose and fibre production is also similar to that of generic viscose in that hardwood material is dissolved through an intensive chemical process into a pulp, which is then extruded to form fibres. However, for lyocell, the solvent used to transform the pulp into fibre is amine oxide (NMMO=N-Methyl-Morpholine-N-Oxide), which is considered non-toxic. The lyocell fibre manufacturing process also operates as a closed loop system, in which 99% of the solvent is recovered,
filtered and reused. Any remaining emissions are broken down harmlessly in biological wastewater treatment plants.[9]
===OEKO-TEX certified viscose=== [10]OEKO-TEX is an independent, third party certifier that offers two certifications for textiles: OEKO-TEX 100 (for products) and OEKO-TEX 1000 (for production sites/factories). OEKO-TEX 100 label aims to ensure that products pose no risk to health. OEKO-TEX certified products do not contain allergenic dye-stuffs and dye-stuffs that form carcinogenic aryl-amines. The certification process includes thorough testing for a long list of chemicals. Specifically banned are: AZO dyes, carcinogenic and allergy-inducing dyes, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, extractable heavy metals, emissions of volatile components, and more.[10]
==Availability==
There are a few suppliers in China that are currently offering viscose from PEFC and FSC certified forests. Expressing interest in PEFC and FSC certification can influence the supplier’s raw material sourcing strategy and lead to greater availability of responsibly sourced feedstock for viscose fabric.
OEKO-TEK® Standard 100 certified viscose is available. Manufacturers can be found at: https://www.oeko-tex.com
==Application==
Viscose and lyocell can be used in a variety of textile woven and knitted applications. Depending on the weight and construction of the cloth, these fabrics may be suitable for shirts, skirts, dresses, evening gowns, home furnishings and bedding.
3. Encouraging handwashing on the hangtag and labeling/POS would influence the consumer to take an active role in reducing environmental impacts of viscose at the consumer washing stage.
==Sources==
1. # https://www.swicofil.com/products/200viscose.html2. # https://www.canopy.org/index.php3. # oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/348/4. # https://www.eksoy.com/PDF/VISCOSE%20AND%20BAMBOO.pdf5. # textilefashionstudy.com/process-flow-chart-of-viscose-fabric-dyeing/6. # textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/09/100-viscose-fabric-dyeing-method-dyeing.html7. # ftc.gov/opa/2009/08/bamboo.shtm8. # lenzinginnovation.lenzing.com/fileadmin/template/pdf/Texworld_USA_2012/16_01_2012_2_PM_Lenzing_Edelweiss.pdf9. # https://www.lenzing.com/sites/botanicprinciples/website/index.htm10. # https://www.OEKO-TEK.com/media/downloads/Factsheet_OETS_100_EN.pdf