Green Matters Natural Dye Company

Pennsylvania-based Green Matters Natural Dye Company manufactures eco-friendly dyes from natural plant-based materials for the textile industry. 

The textile industry is the second largest contributor to water pollution globally, with its use of synthetic dyes being one of the major causes. Synthetic dyes contain toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, which are nearly impossible to filter out, once in the water. Green Matters aims to replace these synthetic dyes with natural botanical dyes. 

The process begins with the collection of rainwater, which does not contain impurities with the potential to reduce the quality of the dye during production. The plant material is selected according to the desired color, and is added to the water and brought to boil. Effective boiling releases the dye, in which the fibres are dipped. This method is called kettle dyeing and is the traditional process of natural dyeing. Since 2018, Green Matters uses industrial paddle dye machines tailored for natural dyes, instead of the traditional procedure. 

Through the process, Green Matters develops a colour palette for the partner to choose from. Following this, the fibres are dyed using a fixative and then washed to obtain the final colour. Green Matters also assists partners in sourcing ethical fibres if required. 

The leftover plant material is strained, composted and used as organic fertilizers on local farms. Green Matters grows the plants on a local Amish farm and has partnered with farmers in the Lancaster area to distribute their organic fertilizers. They also source all their material from within a 150-mile radius, reducing their carbon footprint.

The plants used by Green Matters to source various dyes include Marigold, Lac, Indigo, Madder and Logwood among others. 

By sourcing their products from plant materials and using the final waste as fertilizer, Green Matters operates a successful sustainable cycle.