OT: DWR clothing and environmental harm

[robertbb]

Hey Weenies,

We don't seem to go off topic on these forums, but I recently posted this on another forum and thought it'd be worth posting here.

I've been reading a little bit about DWR finishes on clothing and just how horrible they are for the environment. Specifically, the fluorocarbon-based by-products (PFOA and PFOS) that are environmentally persistent and highly toxic/carcinogenic.

Being cyclists, we love the outdoors and therefore it should follow that we would want to protect it.

I'm voting with my $, and have chosen non-DWR winter clothing recently with a plan to use environmentally friendly options I can apply myself, like Nikwax or Sciessent Curb. It would be great to get this information out there to cyclists at large, and to lobby cycling clothing manufacturers to commit to not using toxic formulations by a certain date.

I'm a bit of a hippy, but don't often get involved in "causes". For some reason though, this one really resonates with me.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

[onemanpeloton]

I think the EU may already be legislating for this, or beginning to at least. A UK cycling clothing company told me recently that they were changing their DWR coatings and treatments and I'm sure they said it was an EU initiative

[Marin]

Thanks for making me aware of this - I'll definitely do my research befor my next DWR purchase.

[LouisN]

Maybe you should have written in your title the chemicals involved in environmental harm and not the water repelling treatment on garment itself.
For example, here's what Patagonia did with the "problem":
https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2015/03/our-dwr-problem/

Louis

[robeambro]

Hey Weenies,

We don't seem to go off topic on these forums, but I recently posted this on another forum and thought it'd be worth posting here.

I've been reading a little bit about DWR finishes on clothing and just how horrible they are for the environment. Specifically, the fluorocarbon-based by-products (PFOA and PFOS) that are environmentally persistent and highly toxic/carcinogenic.

Being cyclists, we love the outdoors and therefore it should follow that we would want to protect it.

I'm voting with my $, and have chosen non-DWR winter clothing recently with a plan to use environmentally friendly options I can apply myself, like Nikwax or Sciessent Curb. It would be great to get this information out there to cyclists at large, and to lobby cycling clothing manufacturers to commit to not using toxic formulations by a certain date.

I'm a bit of a hippy, but don't often get involved in "causes". For some reason though, this one really resonates with me.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I didn't know.

Even happier of having decided to reduce my cycling wardrobe and pick Shakedry clothing to deal with the rain.

[Shrike]

Totally unaware though makes sense when you think about it - clearly it's some sort of chemical treatment. I like how Haglofs do a Bluesign range, I try to stick with that for my outdoors gear although it's often expensive and to be honest I don't really know how 'friendly' it is - that stuff has DWR treatments on it too surely?

The things that I feel guilty about right now are using crap like Morgan's Blue in the bath to clean the drivetrain. And using lube and seeing it drip on the road (I often apply wet lube just before the ride outdoors if I'm travelling).

Would love to see some brainstorming and maybe a thread with a list of friendly lubes, cleaning products, clothing etc so you can basically just shop off of that.

[robertbb]

Lanolin (secreted by sheep) is a pretty good lube and environmentally friendly. Chain waxing is an another alternative I'm considering.

For cleaning drivetrain (and rest of bike), a simple citrus based biodegradable degreaser is enough.

Clothing - bluesign approved is great. A lot of polyester fibres and fleeces used in jerseys are actually recycled (they are technically a plastic... can be made from recycled bottles).

[RTW]

Should we start an environmental thread? Things like co2 cartridges get my goat (completely unnecessary). Not repairing inner tubes too.

[Shrike]

Yeah I think it’s more important than anything else you could probably create here thread wise. Just not sure what angle you’d hit it from. Discussion or get straight into sharing environmentally green products/tips or whatever.

It’s 2019, pretty scary that the forum hasn’t got something already. It’s a cycling forum after all. People look at us like we’re all self-absorbed, self-righteous plant based Durianrider worshippers that compete over who has the lowest carbon footprint

[micky]

Just saw that Ale is testing some new fabrics for jersey made out of recycled material (fibers).

[kode54]

Does that mean that Gore uses DWR on their shakedry or other Goretex fabrics? or is DWR on non Goretex fabric?

[robertbb]

Yes, Gore Shakedry has as DWR applied.

[jlok]

No matter how environmentally friendly a product the capitalists suggest, reduction should be the best way to conserve the nature. Buy nice, dont buy twice.

[robeambro]

Yes, Gore Shakedry has as DWR applied.

Are you sure? I seem to recall that Shakedry was "naturally water resistant" and needed no DWR as a consequence.

[LouisN]

No matter how environmentally friendly a product the capitalists suggest, reduction should be the best way to conserve the nature. Buy nice, dont buy twice.

Does that include bikes ? .....

Louis