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Durability: pros baize is strong | cons baize shrinks when washed
Versatility: pros baize is smooth, commonly used on gaming tables, napped to resemble felt, also used as liners and for craft projects, meant to imitate felt
Accessibility: baize is not very common
Baize is…
- Somewhat durable
- Uncommon, not often used, somewhat hard to find
- Decreasing in demand
- Botanical Inks: Plant-to-Print Dyes, Techniques and Projects
- Mend & Patch: A Handbook to Repairing Clothes and Textiles
- Reinvention: Sewing with Rescued Materials
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
ENVIRONMENT
Fiber source: natural, baize is a natural fiber, made from wool or wool and cotton blends
Biodegradable: yes, baize is biodegradable
Destruction: high, baize production is relatively destructive, wool that is not organic is dipped in toxic chemicals to ward off ticks/lice, toxins from animal excrement pollute air, water, soil, high CO2e carbon emitted, strain on natural resources such as land, food and water, contributes to deforestation, with the large number of animals unnaturally bred onto the planet in the name of human utilization, specifically ruminants (cows, sheep, goats, deer, camels, etc.), they emit high volumes of carbon emissions and contaminate air, water, soil, etc., sheep hooves can cause land degradation
Baize is…
- Unsustainable if wool
ANIMALS
Kills: none, baize production does not require any animals to be killed
Harms: woolen animals, severe animal abuse, strips of skin, teats, tails, ears are often cut off or ripped during shearing, sheep shearer workers often punch, kick, hit and stomp on sheep, stand on their heads, necks and limbs for faster wool shearing
Indirectly kills or harms: lambs, mature sheep, wildlife and ecosystems, lambs may die before 8 weeks old from exposure or starvation, mature sheep die from disease, lack of shelter, neglect, wildlife considered to be “threats” to sheep leads to landowners killing kangaroos and coyotes, permitted by law, resulting in millions slaughtered every year by ranchers and the federal government
Baize (made from wool) is…
- Not Vegan
Baize (made from 100% cotton) is…
LABORERS
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers are often exploited, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Baize…
- May involve worker exploitation, laborer issues, human rights concerns
What are baize uses?
Baize uses include pool and poker tables and gaming tables in casinos.
baize is durable.
Is baize durable or delicate? Baize is durable and long lasting when cared for properly.
For every 5 garments produced, the equivalent of 3 end up in a landfill or incinerated each year!
One reason for such wastefulness society’s ever growing desire to acquire. Fast fashion (creating low-priced items at high volumes) is problematic for a number of reasons and promotes the attitude that clothing is nearly disposable.
But another component of such a quick turnaround on clothing is because it’s just not lasting long enough. Snags, stains, warping and shrinkage render items unusable and unacceptable for the donation pile. Avoid such problems by buying better quality, more durable, long lasting materials. Timeless wardrobe favorites that last for years and years are more sustainable and reduce the need for replacements.
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles burns or goes to landfills…
Keep minimalism in mind and buy less, borrow and buy items second hand. Thrift shops offer many inexpensive, unique finds that have already proven to stand the test of time!
baize is unsustainable if wool, sustainable if organic cotton.
Is baize eco friendly and sustainable? Baize is unsustainable if wool is used, sustainable if organic cotton is used. .
Animal materials are a natural fiber and biodegradable unless heavily treated with chemicals. However, they are not at all eco-friendly or sustainable due to the overwhelming strain on natural resources; the water needed, food needed and land usage that must happen for such abundant amounts of animals to live.
Cows consume so much water that it takes approximately 2,110 gallons of water just to make one pair of leather shoes! Growing animal feed like soy and corn requires vast amounts of land and are usually areas deforested in the name of cattle farming or livestock feed production.
Animal agriculture is not good for the environment, human health and of course, the animals themselves. Thus, animal derived, non-vegan materials are not only cruel and inhumane but environmentally unsustainable.
That’s not to say that all vegan materials are sustainable. There are many vegan yet unsustainable fabrics, materials and textiles. Most of us don’t realize that washing one synthetic garment releases about 2,000 plastic microfibers which then enter the ocean and food chain…or that 30% of rayon and viscose used in fashion comes from endangered and ancient forests. So because a fabric is vegan it does not necessarily mean that it is sustainable, eco-friendly and so on.
Natural fibers like cotton are actually really harmful IF they are not organic. How? Cotton seeds are often GMOs that require pesticides, which are extremely toxic! In fact, up to 16% of the world’s pesticides go to non-organic, GMO cotton farming every year. The chemicals degrade soil and pollute water as well as poison cotton pickers.
Wow! …So it’s time to start using sustainable fabrics, materials and textiles.
baize is not vegan if made from wool and vegan if made from cotton.
Is baize vegan? Baize is not vegan if made from wool and vegan if made from cotton.
Cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, ducks and foxes are animals commonly subject to exploitation for their skins, hair or feathers. In fact, BILLIONS of them die every single year simply in the name of fashion.
Before buying a pair of shoes, a sweater, a purse, check the materials.
Common animal materials include:
- leather
- suede
- fur
- feathers
- mohair
- wool
These often come from places like India and China where there can be NO animal welfare laws or enforcement. If the item does come from a more developed area of the world, such as the United States or Europe, that animal was likely a victim of factory farming. In such overcrowded farms they are confined, diseased and must sometimes live their entire lives indoors, never seeing the light of day.
Getting material from animals may involve slaughtering, as is implied with leather and fur production. But in regards to wool or feathers, animals often struggle as they are held down and beaten by workers as they are sheared or as feathers are ripped from their skin, leaving them bloody and wounded in pain.
Buying vegan clothing, accessories and household fabrics, materials and textiles ensures that no living being had to suffer or die needlessly. Vegan fashion is trending like never before! According to Grand View Research, “The global synthetic leather market size is expected to reach $40.0 billion dollars (USD) by the year 2027”!
Dressing and decorating vegan is easier than ever with this: Vegan Fabrics, Materials and Textiles List
baize is a material that may or may not have labor issues.
Is baize a material that has laborer issues? At this time, there are no specific reports of worker mistreatment regarding baize production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Baize may or may not have labor issues.
Did you know that the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? Whether agriculture involves crops or animals, the labor behind each and every product made from cotton, leather, wool, etc. cannot go unrecognized.
Sadly, many labor concerns exist around the world in both developed and developing countries. We must be vigilant to ensure what we buy is not contributing to industries that are unfair to their valuable workers.
Some known problems include workplace health and safety, sweatshops and child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence. Unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives simply by being mindful to buy items that are certified fair trade.
Sources:
PETA: The Wool Industry
Sew Guide: Fabric glossary
Textile School: Textile fabric types
PETA: Environmental Hazards of Wool
Textiles in America 1650-1870
