Which Is Greener Teal Or Turquoise?
Defining Teal and Turquoise
Teal is a blue-green color that gets its name from the common teal, a type of duck. The first known use of the word “teal” as a color name in English was in 1917[1]. Historically, teal was created by mixing blue and green pigments. Today teal can be reproduced in printing and on screens using combinations of cyan and green colors.
Some key characteristics of teal are[2]:
- Hex code: #008080
- RGB values: R=0, G=128, B=128
- HSL values: H=180°, S=100%, L=25%
Turquoise is a greenish-blue color that has been used since ancient times. The name comes from the French for “Turkish stone” since the gemstone was originally imported from Turkey[3]. Traditionally turquoise was made by combining copper with aluminum phosphate or arsenic. Modern turquoise pigment is usually a mixture of phthalocyanine green and phthalocyanine blue.
Some key characteristics of turquoise are[4]:
- Hex code: #40E0D0
- RGB values: R=64, G=224, B=208
- HSL values: H=174°, S=72%, L=56%
While teal and turquoise are similar bluish-green colors, teal generally has more green while turquoise leans slightly more blue. They differ noticeably in lightness, with turquoise being lighter than the deeper teal.
[1] https://www.artandobject.com/news/allure-and-power-color-teal
[2] https://www.colorpsychology.org/teal/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise_(color)
[4] https://www.color-meanings.com/turquoise-color-meaning-the-color-turquoise/
Environmental Impact of Dyes
The production of textile dyes can have major impacts on the environment. Some common dye ingredients like azo dyes contain toxic chemicals such as aromatic amines that are known carcinogens and can cause environmental harm.
According to research by Lellis (2019), textile dyes significantly increase biochemical and chemical oxygen demand (BOD and COD) which reduces oxygen levels in water bodies and impairs aquatic life. The toxicity levels of certain dyes like cationic dyes are also concerning, with some being acutely toxic to aquatic species.
The production processes involved in making dyes often require substantial amounts of water, energy and harsh chemicals. For example, the dyeing stage alone can use over 200 tons of water for every ton of fabric dyed. Improper disposal of dye wastewater leads to water pollution issues.
References:
Lellis, B., Fávaro-Polonio, C. Z., Pamphile, J. A., & Polonio, J. C. (2019). Effects of textile dyes on health and the environment and bioremediation potential of living organisms. Biotechnology Research and Innovation, 3(2), 275-290. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452072119300413
Comparing Teal and Turquoise
When comparing teal and turquoise dyes, there are a few key factors to consider in terms of environmental impact: color intensity, dye concentration, and water usage.
Teal tends to have a deeper, richer blue-green color than turquoise. To achieve a more intense teal shade, a higher concentration of dye is typically needed compared to turquoise (Forbes, 2021). The production of highly concentrated dyes often requires more resources and energy, increasing the environmental footprint.
Additionally, teal dyes tend to use more water during the dyeing process. The deep shade requires thorough saturation and multiple rinses to set the color. Turquoise, on the other hand, can often be dyed with lower water volumes given its lighter tone (LinkedIn, 2022). Using excessive water for dyeing depletes freshwater reserves and produces contaminated wastewater if not treated properly.
When considering these factors together, turquoise appears to be the more sustainable choice between the two shades. The lighter color intensity reduces dye concentrations needed, and turquoise fabrics can be dyed with lower water volumes compared to the deeper teal shade.
Recycled Options
Both teal and turquoise fabrics are available in recycled options from various textile suppliers. However, recycled turquoise tends to be more readily available and less expensive than recycled teal.
The recycling process for these fabrics typically involves collecting scraps and damaged items, shredding them, separating out dyes and impurities, then re-spinning the fibers into new yarn. This is an intensive process that requires substantial energy, water, and chemical use.
A cost analysis shows recycled turquoise averaging $5-8 per yard while recycled teal can be $10-15 per yard from most textile suppliers. The wider availability and lower cost of recycled turquoise makes it a more accessible eco-friendly option compared to recycled teal fabrics.
Some examples of suppliers offering recycled turquoise fabrics are Fabric Carolina (https://www.fabriccarolina.com/shop-by-color/turquoise/) and OnlineFabricStore (https://www.onlinefabricstore.com/recycled-fabrics/recycled-fabric-by-the-yard/turquoise-.htm). Recycled teal tends to be more niche.
Organic Dye Alternatives
Natural dyes made from plant materials like berries, leaves, and roots have become popular alternatives for coloring fabrics in an eco-friendly way. Some common organic ingredients used to produce teal and turquoise dyes include:
- Indigo – Fermented leaves from the indigo plant create blue dyes.
- Alkanet – The roots of this plant produce red and purple dyes that can be mixed with indigo to make teal.
- Nettle – Leaves from the stinging nettle plant make a greenish-yellow dye.
- Woad – Another plant in the indigo family used for blue dyes.
While organic dyes sound ideal, there are some limitations. Plant-based dyes generally require more dye material to achieve a saturated color compared to synthetic dyes. The colors also tend to fade faster with washing. In addition, some natural dyes require the use of mordants like alum which can introduce environmental concerns of their own.
Organic dyes can be more expensive than standard fabric dyes. A 1 oz package of natural turquoise dye powder can cost $5-$15. However, many crafters enjoy making homemade dyes from foraged plants or homegrown herbs and flowers to color fabric, yarn, and clothing.
Reducing Environmental Impact
There are several ways we can work to reduce the environmental impact of textile dyes.
Educating consumers about the effects of dyes can encourage more sustainable choices. Brands that use eco-friendly dyes and processes could be promoted through consumer awareness campaigns. For example, the organization Fashion Revolution spreads knowledge about the textile industry’s impacts and pushes for greater transparency.
Stronger regulations on the textile industry could also drive change. Policies that enforce proper treatment of wastewater from dyeing or restrict certain harmful chemicals could reduce pollution levels. Countries like China and India have passed new environmental rules but enforcement remains a challenge.
New technologies provide hope for less damaging dyeing methods. Solutions like digital inkjet printing use substantially less water and energy compared to traditional dyeing. Researchers are also developing alternative natural dyes and ways to improve recycling of textile fibers.
While no single step will eliminate the impacts, combined efforts on multiple fronts can lead to greener processes and products. But real progress requires participation from brands, manufacturers, policymakers and consumers alike.
Greener Alternatives
There are several greener options that can be used instead of teal and turquoise dyes to reduce the environmental impact of textile coloration.
Other eco-friendly colors that have a lower impact include natural dyes made from plants, insects, and minerals. These non-toxic dyes often require less processing and energy than synthetic dyes. Popular natural dye options include indigo for blues and browns, madder for reds and pinks, weld for yellows, and logwood for purples and grays.
Choosing neutral, undyed fabrics and garments is another sustainable option. Opting for off-white, tan, grey, or natural fiber shades skips the dyeing process entirely. Undyed cloth made of organic materials like cotton, linen, and hemp has the lowest footprint.
Multi-color designs that incorporate naturally-occurring fiber shades can also reduce dye use. For example, using white cotton paired with brown hemp or grey wool allows for color interest without synthetic dyes. Upcycling and recycling textile waste into new products is another creative way to avoid virgin dyeing.
Overall, selecting plant-based natural dyes, undyed neutrals, and multi-color designs are more sustainable alternatives compared to intensively processed and colored synthetic dyes like teal and turquoise.
Summary
When comparing teal and turquoise dyes, there are some greener options to consider. Using recycled or organic dyes has less environmental impact than newly synthesized dyes. Recycled dyes make use of discarded textiles, reducing waste. Organic dyes use plant-based materials and natural pigments that biodegrade easily. Both options avoid the pollution and toxins associated with some synthetic dye production.
Choosing greener dyes benefits the environment through reduced water usage, energy consumption, and waste in production. Using recycled textiles in dyes gives new life to old materials. Organic dyes break down naturally without persisting as pollutants in ecosystems. With growing interest in sustainability, many expect greener dye options to expand in the future.
When deciding between teal and turquoise dyes, recycled or organic options are best for the environment. With some awareness and effort, we can make choices that reduce the footprint of textile production and protect nature.
Further Reading
Check out these resources for more information on the environmental impacts of dyes:
- Sustainable Dyeing Techniques for Greener Textiles
- The Textile Waste Crisis and How to Solve It
- Why Organic Cotton Matters for People and Planet
- 10 Ways to Reduce Your Fashion Footprint
Check out these related articles on our site:
- Teal vs Turquoise: Which Is Greener?
- A Guide to Sustainable Textiles
- The Benefits of Using Natural Dyes
References
This article provided general information about teal and turquoise dyes. More specific details and research would be needed to fully compare the environmental impacts of different dye options.
To learn more, check out these additional resources:
