The stinging nettle is a weedy, invasive species of plant that spreads like wildfire once it gets a foothold anywhere. The plant can be used for medicinal reasons, but in truth, there are more pesky nettles on the planet than anyone could possibly make use of. At least, so it seemed. Soon enough you could be wearing nettles after a Kenyan company figured out how to make organic fibers for sustainable clothing using nettles, which has led them to win one of the world’s top sustainable fashion prizes, which comes with a $170,000 prize. The company, Green Nettle Textile, won the award along with four other firms that made expanding children’s clothing (United Kingdom), biodegradable vegan leather (Peru), a digital system that helps make garment recycle from sketch to scrap (Germany), and a toxic-free membrane for outdoor wear (Switzerland). Besides financial support, the winners will also get access to a mentorship program that will take them to markets including Sweden, Hong Kong, and the United States.
A Kenyan company is making sustainable clothes out of stinging nettles
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