Sustainable sting
Nairobi, Kenya
Green Nettle Textiles are producing eco-fabrics from stinging nettle that is grown as eco-conservative cash crop on steepslopes of the Kenyan highlands. Nettles have been used in textiles for hundreds of years, but unlike the burning sting they provide in unprocessed form, the plant’s fibers have long been admired for their smooth, linen-like properties when woven into fabric. The team have developed a novel process that uses naturally occurring bacteria to extract the plant’s fibers, after which it is combed and spun at a factory before being returned for weaving. As well as creating naturally biodegradable products, the project benefits the local farmers they partner with, who otherwise often use chemical fertilizers to maximize crop yields that cause extensive pollution to nearby rivers.
The Green Nettle Textiles Team:
