When it comes to sustainable clothing materials, one has to make sure to consider the production process and the impact it has on the environment.
Some materials, such as cotton, particularly when grown with pesticides or high amounts of water, are not considered to be as environmentally friendly compared to other materials.
Some brands may claim that they use natural materials, but it is important to consider the methods they use to treat those materials from the extraction to the production process.
Many people are concerned about the impact of clothing production on the environment. After all, the textile industry is responsible for about 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, the most common greenhouse gas.
Clothing production also consumes a lot of water and energy, and produces a lot of waste, including textiles that are not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly materials out there to choose from when seeking to purchase sustainable clothing.
Top 5 Sustainable Fabrics For The Most Eco-Friendly Fashion
Today, there are so many clothing companies that claim to be sustainable. However, many of them are just green washing. So, what clothing materials are sustainable? Eco-fashionistas have been asking this question for years, and now there are a few resources out there that can help you with a more definitive answer.
1. Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is a natural fiber that is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides. The use of organic cotton helps to reduce the use of chemicals in the environment, which prevents soil and water from contamination.
It is also a more sustainable material than cotton that is grown with chemicals, as the water and chemical use for conventional cotton can be harmful to the environment.
When considering the environmental impact of cotton clothing, the two main issues are: the impact of growing cotton, and the impact of washing and drying the clothing.
2. Recycled Cotton
One eco-friendly clothing material is recycled cotton. Recycled cotton is just what it sounds like, cotton that has been recycled. That could mean leftover scraps of fabric from other clothing manufacturers or old clothing that is torn, outdated, or just worn out.
Recycled cotton is typically used in clothing and other fabric items that will not be washed too often, since washing wears out cotton fibers faster than other fabrics, like polyester.
3. Organic Linen
These days, it is easy to find clothing made from organic and natural materials. In fact, many people are even willing to pay a premium to purchase clothes made from organic linen or other types of natural fabric.
As more people become aware of the impact that clothing may have on the environment, the demand for organic and natural clothing increases.
4. Recycled Polyester
Although polyester is most frequently associated with inexpensive, disposable clothing, this synthetic fiber is more versatile than you might think. For one thing, polyester is highly resistant to stains and fading.
It is also highly resistant to sweat, which means it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before it feels damp, making it a good choice for sports clothing. And because it is made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles and old fishing nets, it has an environmental advantage over cotton and other natural fibers.
5. Scoby Leather
Scoby leather is also a great material because it’s one hundred percent natural and sustainable. The process to make it is simple. First, the leather is scraped off of the hides of animals such as deer or cows.
Then, the scraped off leather is treated with a mixture of water and lime. The mixture causes the leather to separate from the hair and then the leather is placed in a rotating drum with water for forty-eight hours. After the forty-eight hours the leather is removed and placed into water for another forty-eight hours.
The hair floats to the top of the water and is discarded, while the scoby leather sinks to the bottom of the water. This process is repeated five times.
The Least Sustainable Fabrics
From the cradle to the grave, there’s a lot of waste when it comes to textile production. Manufacturing requires water and energy, and the dyeing, finishing, and washing processes can pollute air and water.
While many people have heard about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, the consequences of our clothing choices are far less obvious when it comes to the fabrics themselves.
There are certain fabrics that are more sustainable than others, and some that are less sustainable than it might seem at first glance. From a common polyester to a seemingly eco-friendly wool, here are the least sustainable fabrics to stay away from.
The first thing most people think of when they hear the word “fashion” is clothing, but did you know that fabrics can come in many different forms, such as polyester, spandex, nylons, or rayon?
While many people consider these fabrics to be fancy, they are in fact largely derived from fossil fuels. All of those t-shirts, jeans, and garments you have sitting in your closet are made from fabrics that are highly unsustainable, and efforts to find sustainable alternatives have been challenging to say the least.
Future Green Fabrics
Future Green Fabrics are considered one of the most exciting innovations of the 21st century. Future Green fabrics are created using a new technology that is a combination of both biology and chemistry.
This creates a fabric that is 100% organic, clean, green, and renewable. This fabric is also stronger, more durable, and lasts longer than any other fabric on the market. Future Green fabrics are the answer to all of our pollution problems as well as other environmental problems.
Future Green Fabrics are also the future of the fashion industry due to its new technology, which is why over 50% of the yearly production of these fabrics is geared towards fashion.
Last Words
Clothing is an interesting thing. It is used every day by most of us and that makes it an important part of our lives. And while most people do care about the clothes they wear, few people have all the knowledge they need about what they are wearing. The most important thing to know is whether the clothing you buy is sustainable, which mean it is made from renewable resources, such as wood, hemp or bamboo and whether it is made in a way that takes care of the planet.
