Struggling to green in your cupboard? Then, buckle up. For we have the guide you need, to know your fabrics.
Eco-friendly fashion does not start and end with thrifting. While opting for second-hand items, does reduce waste and also ensures new resources aren’t brought into circulation, sometimes we must look at alternatives to thrifting.
And one such alternative is buying clothes made of durable, eco-friendly, and ethically sourced fabrics. In fact, even when thrifting? This knowledge of the impact a fabric has on the environment can help you make more conscious choices.
But before we dive into the topic, here’s a reminder. Healthy sustainability means that you be there for the planet and the people, without harming yourself. So, if a cotton dress adds tremendous value to your life, get it, girl! Just wear it about a thousand times…
Yes, only organic and recycled cotton can be considered eco-friendly but there are nuances.
The idea that if something is natural it is inherently eco-friendly or sustainable does not always hold true. Look at conventional cotton for example. Despite being natural and biodegradable, boy is that one thirsty plant. Cotton production? It drained the Aral Sea.
And this is without considering the pesticide usage and the surface run-off that causes. Additionally, cotton is easy to stain and loses its shape pretty quickly. Unless you can upcycle your tee, your cotton tee-shirt isn’t inherently more sustainable than polyester, despite the lack of microplastics.
While organic cotton does do better, and by organic we mean certified organic such as GOTS or bought from trusted vendors, it too guzzles a lot of water, which is why brittle recycled cotton is the one in the cotton family that wins the green badge. Of course, it isn’t as durable according to some.
And when talking about brittle recycled fabrics, how can we forget recycled ocean plastic hoodies?
Recycled Polyester and Plastic Fabric
Recycled plastic based fabrics do reduce waste and can be eco-friendly but they leech microplastics still.
While recycling is good for the environment if done right, and plastic-based clothes are durable, there as always is a lot more nuance than just saying recycling equals eco-friendly. Ocean plastic is brittle for one so recycling it and separating the plastic is difficult. Which makes fair production labels very important but’s that is sustainability. If we stick to just what’s good for the environment, these clothes are not as good as say linen, but recycling, despite the energy it requires and potential health consequences, keeps existing resources in circulation and did I mention durable?
Cuz they be durable.
They do not stain easy either.
So yes, I can say to an extent recycled plastic fabrics might be on the eco-friendly list. No where close to hemp though.
As long as these synthetic fabrics are washed separately from others, eh?
Yet, there is no way anyone can talk about sustainable fabrics without looking at the hero- like we mentioned, it’s for hemp.
Hemp
This one plant holds a lot in itself. It is good for soil health, reduces carbon dioxide in the air, and makes some pretty badass clothing. Sure, not all of it pretty and it can wrinkle, but environmentally speaking? Hemp is your best bet. And the benefits don’t stop there.
This fiber? Boy does it do a lot. It conducts heat, dyes well, resists mildew, blocks ultraviolet light, and has natural anti-bacterial properties like bamboo. And here’s the tea, the amount of space it takes to grow cotton? Twice the amount of hemp can be grown there.
No wonder, people pre-industrial revolution loved the fabric.
Sure, it has some problems like wrinkles, textured, expensive, needs to be bleached, and some people mix it with synthetic fabrics. But it is also anti-bacterial, like we mentioned, stronger than cotton- three times in fact- and does not leech microplastics. If you care for it, it’ll care for you. Ohana means family.
Did I say anti-bacterial though? Cuz hemp is all that. Until the production process ruins that,
And talking about eco-friendly fabrics that have anti-bacterial properties, did we talk about Bamboo yet. Cuz bestie, that one? That’s one is a fixer-upper. Unlike hemp. Hemp’s a keeper. Just like linen.
Linen
Made from the flax plant, linen is commonly used for bedsheets and such. And there’s a reason moms love this fabric. It’s soft for one. As for the environment, linen has a great Good on You rating. They call it a luxurious strong fabric that can withstand high-temperature- making it jogger friendly- and of course, being natural undyed linen is biodegradable within our lifetime. Unlike polyester, which is going to around for several generations. And Good on You says that unlike cotton. Linen if cared for, can last several generations. What would you rather your grandkids inherit? A planet full of trash or a glossy vintage dress?
Speaking of vintage though, let’s talk about silk.
Silk
Well, it’s not cruelty free unless it’s banana silk or ahinsa silk. Animal right issues aside, silk is biodegradable, strong, natural, beautiful, soft on the skin, has a luxurious feel, and overall good for the planet.
Though, banana silk? What is that?
It is silk made from leftover parts of the banana plant, basically the soft inner lining. You get the luxurious feel, the shine, and the softness, without any boiled worms. And not only are you choosing a fabric that’s going to biodegrade if discarded or last generations if cared for, you are also helping reduce waste by upcycling a material.
Let’s hear it for banana fabric. The cool kid on the sustainable fabrics block.
Banana Fabric
Made from the leftover parts of the banana plant, this fabric can replace both cotton and silk. Banana silk, we have spoken about. Banana cotton is made from the coarse part of the plant and is mainly used for ropes and such. While banana is a resource intensive plant, keep in mind, the fabric is made from discarded parts aka reusing waste. And yes, like all fabrics, there is the potential of labor rights violation or unnecessary chemical processes taking a dig at how green the fabric is but if it is certified green and has a fair-trade certificate, you can rest assured you are in the right direction.
TENCEL
Who can forget Tencel, Mondal, and Viscose when speaking of chemical processes ruining how eco-friendly a fabric is? That’s literally the plot of the “tragedy of viscose.” But it doesn’t always have to be this way. TENCEL is made by an Austrian company Lenzing that prioritizes the environment…as far as we know. Gittemarie Johanson shared that they use a closed loop system to ensure that the water used is filtered and reused, instead of leeching toxins into our soil and rivers. While they aren’t as good as natural fabrics, they seem to be better than conventional cotton.
The catch though is that the company sells yarn and it takes a lot of processing to turn yarn into fabric. The experts at Good on You, who gave us this information, recommend that you still look for the Lenzing branding as many now say Tencel for regular Mondal fabric which has a complicated sustainability status.
And talking about sustainable fabrics which have a complicated eco-friendly status, let’s look at our fixer-upper. Bamboo.
Bamboo
Now the bamboo plant is eco-friendly. And the fabric is soft, anti-bacterial, a natural pest-repellent and has potential. The problem is that the production process can be chemical in nature which takes a toll on the environment. Sometimes, they even mix baboo with synthetic materials like nylon and rayon, which we know are fossil-fuel based and not the best for the planet. Basically, bamboo can greenwash and hence it is best to keep an eye out to ensure the needed certificates are there or buy from trusted stores. Especially since the demand for bamboo clothing is leading to monocultures which as we all known are about as sustainable as a landfill.
And before we leave, let’s talk about leather.
Leather- Plant-Based Leather
Yes, planet-based leather can be eco-friendly. Animal leather usually is not eco-friendly. Pleather is made of out of plastic and hence, rarely called eco-friendly.
The name’s Bond. James Bond.
Who hasn’t heard this iconic dialogue?
Though maybe when speaking about low-impact planet-friendly fabrics, it should be the name’s Leather.
Leather?
Planet-Based Leather.
Sure, leather as a byproduct of the meat industry would have been seen as upcycling waste- expect now a lot of cattle are grown just for leather and the meat industry still is one of the three most polluting industries. Sure, leather can last generations, which is why second-hand leather is one of the most eco-friendly fabrics out there.
But if you need brand new leather?
Leave the vegan pleather aisle and move to the Mexican or Indian vegan leather section. Many other countries have also tried to make leather. Coconut leather known as malai leather, leather made from temple flower waste by the Indian brand Phool.Co, cactus leather by Dessrto, apple leather, and more is available for you with varying degrees of sustainability…but all eco-friendlier than pleather and new animal-based leather.
The durability depends from one leather to another but is usually said to be good.
And there you have it America! The best eco-friendly fabrics. Hemp being #1, closely followed by linen and bamboo sulking at the back of the line with recycled ocean plastic shirts.
Now look, my good dude, the thing about eco-friendliness is often just the start. Soon you will see the rampant human rights violation in fast fashion and turn to sustainable fabrics which are just ethically sourced and produced eco-friendly fabrics, and then to sustainable clothing which is low-impact fabrics using responsibly production methods and where fair wages have been given to the workers.
It’s a funnel.
But even if you just stay at the eco-friendly stage, rest assured, you- yes, you- by looking for fabrics that are good for the planet, are making the world a better place. We need fellas and girlies and people like you to battle the climate crisis.
The most eco-friendly clothing is the one already in your cupboard and mending and loving it is the best way to overthrow our fast fashion overloads and build a more responsible industry. But if you must buy, hopefully, now you know what to look for in which fabric.
Which is the most eco-friendly fabric?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, as the most eco-friendly fabric depends on the climate of the place it’s grown in, durability, and how well suited it is to use, fabrics like hemp are a contender for the title.
What is the most non-toxic fabric?
Hemp, bamboo, cotton, and linen are some of the best fabrics for your skin, with hemp and bamboo also having anti-bacterial properties. Yet, any fabric can become toxic in the production process, so it is essential to look for trusted third-party logos.
Is cotton or polyester worse for the environment? Which fabric has lower carbon footprint?
Both conventional cotton and polyester have a high negative impact on the planet. While polyester requires less water to produce, and is more durable and strain resistant, cotton takes less energy, biodegrades, does not release microplastics, and is not derived from fossil fuels. Yet, it uses a lot of pesticides which harm soil and water health. The best option as always is to thrift or get recycled materials.
According to the experts at Hemp Foundation, the carbon footprint of cotton is 8.3kg CO2e while polyester is lesser at 6.4kgCo2e. But you have to note, 70% of cotton’s CO2 emissions are at the consumer end. Also note, that one study shows polyester has twice the CO2 emissions of cotton. Many experts have concluded that the CO2 footprint of both the fabrics is the same, because 80% of the impact of any fiber is based on the energy grid where the fabric is produced.
What fabrics are not biodegradable?
Synthetic fabrics are not biodegradable in our lifetime. These include polyester based fabrics such as rayon, nylon, and more. Such fabrics often release microplastics instead. Sometimes, natural fabrics which have been excessively treated chemically, have been dyed with chemical dyes, have sequins or zippers, or polyester threes according to Manteco are also difficult to compost or biodegrade. Lastly, of course, mixed fabrics which have a polyester content might find it difficult to biodegrade as well.
What fabrics are 100% biodegradable?
Many naturally occurring fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, 100% bamboo, and banana fabric are a 100% biodegradable in our lifetime.
What is the most ethical and sustainable fabric?
Hemp can be called a very eco-friendly fabric, but it is difficult to categorize any one fabric as the most sustainable and ethical. Raw material growth, extraction, dyes used, whether the fabric is bleached or not, the impact on soil health and water usage, durability, and how useful the fabric is to the end user, are some of the many factors that go into calling a fabric sustainable. The most sustainable and ethical item is the one you own- the longer we keep resources in circulation, the more sustainable we are being, even when those fabrics leech microplastics such as nylon.
What is the least toxic fabric to wear?
Organic clothing, especially that without additional chemical coating such as flame retardants etc. is the least toxic. These can include sustainable fabrics like hemp, linen, and fabrics like bamboo. Hemp and bamboo also have anti-bacterial properties. Before switching to a new fabric though, do a patch test and talk to your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Also, take a note of the dyes used to color the fabric as sometimes those can seep into your skin if the fabric quality is bad. If you wish to be 100% toxin free, you can opt for natural ayurvedic dyes and always ensure that you have looked at trusted third-party certification, no matter what the fabric is.
How bad is polyester for the environment?
Polyester production has a significant impact on the environment as not only does polyester release microplastics when washed and worn but it made out of fossil-fuels, which is extremely pollution. Add to that the chemical processes involved in making the fabric and the toxins released, if not properly disposed of that is, the whole thing becomes an environmental nightmare. It also takes a lot more energy than cotton to produce, despite requiring less water. If you need polyester clothing, try and opt for thrifted or recycled pieces. While not perfect, they are a more eco-solution.
Is 100% cotton biodegradable?
Yes, a 100% cotton is biodegradable. Despite conventional cotton being high-impact, due to its water and pesticide usage, the natural fabric does biodegrade fast if disposed of properly. After all, nothing truly biodegrades in a landfill.
Why is nylon bad for the environment?
Nylon is a synthetic fabric and that means it releases microplastics when washed and worn. Despite these particles being now found in breast milk, we do not know how bad they are for human health. It is also plastic-based which means it is derived from fossil fuels, the use of which contributes significantly to climate change. The fabric is also not very durable, but if repaired and worn, it can still be used by those aiming to live a low-impact life.
What fabrics do not biodegrade?
Most syntenic fabrics such as polyester, recycled plastic, nylon, rayon, and such do not biodegrade within our lifetime. Fabrics that have been treated with chemicals excessively, synthetic blends, those which have polyester thread, or sequins, also do not biodegrade easily.
What is the strongest biodegradable material?
According to World Bio Markers Insight, the strongest biodegradable material is cellulose.
Is spandex less toxic than polyester?
No. According to the Wild Minimalistic spandex despite taking a lot of chemicals to produce, making it more toxic despite the fact that it releases less microplastics than polyester. Plus, according to the experts such as those at Impactful Ninja, and One Green Planet, some of the chemicals in spandex production have been linked to cancer and respiratory issues.
Can you have 100% biodegradable materials?
Yes, it is possible to have 100% biodegradable materials, especially fabrics. Natural fabrics like 100% hemp, 100% linen, and such are 100% biodegradable.
How long does it take organic cotton to decompose?
The experts at Manteco and Close the Loop say that 100% organic cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to decompose. It can take up to five months to decompose but the process may take less time as well. If you compost it right, organic cotton can break down in a week or take up to five months.
Is 100 cotton yarn eco-friendly?
If it’s organic or recycled cotton yarn, without polyester content, it might be called sustainable. But 100% cotton yarn? It is extremely high-impact and while it might be suited for tropical regions and warm weather, it is best avoided if possible due to the pesticide usage soiling our waterways and wreaking havoc on soil health as well as the sheer amount of water the planet requires to grow. Cotton production has dried up a sea. A sea.
Is nylon as bad as polyester?
Both nylon and polyester are bad for the environment. Or so the experts at 4tify say. Sustainability creator Gittermarie Johanson has echoed the same sentiment in her videos, which advocating for use of second-hand fabrics if you need these materials. While polyester requires more water that is flushed back into waterways after being contained during the production process, nylon releases gases that destroy the ozone layer.
Is bamboo more ethical than cotton?
While growing bamboo is better for the planet than growing cotton, the chemical treatment makes organic cotton fibers more sustainable according to the experts at Treehugger. If by ethical you mean in terms of labor rights, fair trade certificates can help you identify which material is more ethical. Cotton has a long supply chain and bamboo requires chemical treatment and thus the possibility of labor rights violation is rife in the manufacturing of both fabrics.
Is 100% cotton a sustainable fabric?
A 100% organic cotton might be called sustainable, and recycled cotton is sustainable. But a 100% conventional cotton, despite being natural, requires too much water and pesticides to be called eco-friendly.
Is linen more eco-friendly than cotton?
Yes, more often than not linen is more eco-friendly than conventional cotton. Made from flaxseed, it requires less water and pesticides to produce than conventional cotton.
What is the most sustainable fabric you could buy and why?
The most sustainable fabric you could buy is factory-discard or second-hand fabric. Recycled and upcycled fabrics are sustainable as well, though recycled plastic can have labor rights violation, and leeches microplastics. In natural fabrics, 100% hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics you can buy, alongside linen and 100% bamboo.
What is the best natural fabric?
While the “best” natural fabric depends on a lot of criteria, hemp is definitely one of the least impact natural fabrics, closely followed by linen. Hemp, like bamboo, is anti-bacterial, it enhances soil health, and pulls CO2 out of the atmosphere which helps with global warming. Plus, not only is it three times as strong as cotton but it also requires less water than cotton to produce. Yet, it’s not perfect as it is expensive, wrinkle-prone, and needs to be bleached to achieve cotton’s signature white.
How ethical is polyester?
Polyester being a high impact material derived from fossil-fuels, is definitely not eco-friendly and thus not very ethical, if you can afford to choose another option. The true test of how ethical a fabric is the supply chain, and whether the raw materials were ethically sourced and produced, it’s impact on the planet and the communities around its supply chain, and whether fair wages were paid at every part of the production process. Try and get recycled polyester fabrics with a fair-trade certification.
Is polyester fiber eco-friendly?
No, polyester fiber cannot be called eco-friendly or at least, it cannot be called low-impact. Like most synthetic fabric it is derived from fossil fuels, leeches microplastics when washed and worn, and requires a lot of energy to make. It might take less resources than conventional cotton and sure, it is durable, but do not expect it to biodegrade anytime soon. And while some of these problems, like microplastics, remain, recycled polyester can be an eco-friendlier solution than virgin polyester. To reduce the microplastics, wash your polyester fabrics and blends separately, and if you can wash them by hand or get a bag which catches microplastics.
How do I find ethical fabric?
Look at certifications to know whether a fabric is ethical or not. Raw material production, sourcing, whether the material has animal derived products in it or not, and its impact on the society and the planet all can be factored into when looking for ethical fabric. One important ethical certification is the fair-trade certification.
How do you know if fabric is sustainable?
You can look at the tags which should share information about the raw materials and production techniques used to make the fabric as well as certifications it has to know whether a fabric is sustainable.
What makes a fabric environmentally friendly?
The impact of a fabric determines whether it is eco-friendly or not. While synthetic fabrics leech microplastics when washed and worn, they can be considered sustainable, if they are worn enough times, despite them being made from fossil fuels. In the same way, cotton despite being natural and biodegradable is high-impact, unless it is recycled or organic cotton, because it takes a 100 wear to make up for the water and pesticide usage to grow the plant. Other factors that determine whether a fabric is eco-friendly or not, depends on durability, whether the fabric can biodegrade or not, the dyes used, how the raw materials were sourced and produced, as well as the supply chain. Broadly speaking, second hand items are less impactful, while synthetic and animal-based fabrics can have a high impact.
What fabric is least harmful to the environment? What is more eco-friendly than cotton?
Hemp fabric is one of the least harmful to the environment. Though, it is to be noted, that second-hand items are perhaps the most sustainable items, other than what you already own.
Linen and hemp are more eco-friendly than cotton, provided they are not blends, organic, and have an ethical supply chain. Organic and recycled cotton are more eco-friendly than cotton.
Is polyester or cotton better for the environment?
Both polyester and cotton are high-impact materials, despite 80% of the impact being based on the energy grid where the fabric is made. While cotton can biodegrade, it takes up lots of water and the pesticide usage is harmful to both soil and water health. Despite being durable, polyester is fossil-fuel based, leeches microplastics, and requires more energy and has higher emissions when compared to cotton. But that does not mean we can replace all polyester with cotton. As Gittemarie Johanson says that would make the impact so much worse, LA studies found the cotton requires more resources to make than polyester. In the end, the most sustainable item is what’s already in your cupboard, what adds value to your life, what is recycled, and what is thrifted or swapped or a factory discard.
Is 100% cotton sustainable?
If it’s 100% organic or recycled cotton, or a mixture of the two, it may be called sustainable, despite how water-intensive organic cotton can be, according to some. Conventional cotton, due to water and pesticides issues, is rarely considered a 100% sustainable fabric. Yet, we must acknowledge that being natural and biodegradable gives it an edge for tropical climates. Also to be noted is the fact that any form of cotton stains easily and wrinkles fast, even if it is breathable, so it is essential to care for your clothes.
What fabric is not sustainable?
Fabrics that have unethical production lines are not sustainable. Other fabrics which can have a high-impact are conventional cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon, viscose, and such. That is not to say that the use of such fabrics is the worst thing you can ever do, sustainability is a balance and being mindful is the key.
