Introduction
Nylon, a tough, durable and multi-functional fabric, is everywhere you look in the fashion world. Whether it is active wear, streetwear or haute couture, nylon is always the material of choice for its durability and beauty. Whether it’s streamlined jackets or rugged outerwear, its place in modern dressing rooms cannot be underrated. But despite its mainstream appeal, nylon’s sustainability has become a topic of increasing debate. As a synthetic fibre, it is produced from petroleum and, unlike natural fibers, is not biodegradable. Since the fashion industry is notoriously environmentally unfriendly and pressure to be sustainable has risen, what’s to be done with fabrics such as nylon?
Sustainability in fashion is nothing new, but the concern has grown in recent years as more people are aware of environmental degradation and the role that fashion plays in waste and pollution. Since nylon is a petroleum product, it has also come under fire for being one of the most reliant on the use of nature’s resources and for polluting the environment. However, the tide is changing. Through improved recycling and manufacturing, nylon is making its way towards a greener material. In this blog, we will be learning about the evolution of nylon as an eco-fashion fabric through advances in recycled nylon, manufacturing and sustainable manufacturing technologies.
- What Does the Classic Nylon Do To The Environment?
DuPont introduced nylon in the 1930s and it has since been used for a variety of applications, most notably in fashion. Typically, nylon is manufactured using petrochemical materials, from coal, air, water, and petroleum. This dependency on fossil fuels is partly responsible for the fabric’s environmental difficulties.
High Carbon Footprint
The process of producing nylon requires the mining and refinement of petroleum, which creates a great deal of carbon dioxide. This embodies a high-energy manufacturing process, leaving it with a much higher carbon footprint than natural fibres such as cotton or wool. While the fashion industry struggles to understand its contribution to climate change, cutting carbon emissions is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and the environmental burden of nylon production is no exception.
Impact on Oceans and Ecosystems
Nylon is among the most environmentally difficult products to decompose. Nylon takes hundreds of years to decompose in landfills – unlike natural fibres that decay slowly. This creates long-term contamination of the environment, particularly as textiles are dumped in landfills or washed into the ocean. Indeed, nylon is one of the largest sources of marine microplastic pollution: microscopic fibres dripping from clothing pollute marine life and habitats.
Chemical-Heavy Production Processes
The manufacturing of nylon uses a great number of chemicals such as solvents and acids, which are toxic to the human body and the environment. Its textiles are already one of the largest polluters in the world and the manufacturing of nylon exacerbates this situation. Dyeing nylon, for instance, frequently uses chemicals that corrode soil and water and can, in the absence of proper management, leach into the environment.
These sustainability worries are leading to demand for more sustainable fashion alternatives. With consumers clamouring for more sustainable branding, it’s common to discover ways to make nylon more environmentally friendly.
Also Read : Nylon vs Cotton in Casual Wear
- Recycled Nylon: A Sustainability Game-Setter
One of the most important developments in sustainable nylon production is the production of recycled nylon. Recycled nylon (Econyl, for example) is made by reusing previous nylon waste – from used fabrics, plastics, even fishing nets. It not only minimizes the amount of nylon waste accumulated in landfills and oceans, but it also reduces the need for virgin nylon to be manufactured thus further reducing the ecological footprint.
How Recycled Nylon is Made
Recycled nylon production begins with the recycling of reusable nylon materials, whether old clothes, carpets or industrial plastics. They are then dried and decomposed into smaller fibres. They are then recycled into quality nylon yarn to be woven into new garments and products. What makes recycled nylon superior is that it’s not only less energy intensive than virgin nylon, it also emits a lot less carbon. By reusing pre-existing material, it prevents waste from going to landfill and creates a circular economy.
Benefits of Recycled Nylon
- Reducing Garbage: Nylon recycling diverts massive amounts of materials from landfills and oceans, reducing the environmental footprint of textile waste.
- Lowers Carbon Footprint: Recycling nylon has a much lower carbon footprint than virgin nylon. Indeed, recycled nylon has the potential to cut carbon emissions up to 80% when compared to conventional nylon production.
- High Energy Efficiency: It takes less energy to manufacture recycled nylon than it does to manufacture new nylon from petroleum, making it more sustainable.
- Top Quality Fabric: Recycled nylon is the same in quality and performance as virgin nylon so it can be applied to many types of fashion without sacrificing quality.
Fashion Brands Are Using Recycled Nylon In Their Collections.
The fashion houses and retailers have already begun experimenting with recycled nylon in their collections. The most notable brands that use recycled nylon in their designs include Prada, Gucci and Stella McCartney, which are all leading the sustainable fashion movement. For instance, Stella McCartney uses recycled nylon in her garments for its sustainability. Patagonia, a brand committed to sustainability, has also worn recycled nylon in outdoor clothing, demonstrating that sustainability is available in high-end fashion and everyday clothes.
By using recycled nylon in their products, these brands are spearheading a movement toward sustainable fashion, and leading the way for others in the field.
- New Technologies in Nylon Production and Processing
Aside from recycling, the process of making nylon has been innovated extensively over the past several years, in order to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional production. All these innovations make nylon not only sustainable, but expand its market for sustainable clothing.
Cleaner Production Methods
New textile manufacturing innovations are geared toward minimising the environmental impact of nylon manufacturing. This means implementing cleaner, more energy-efficient manufacturing practices that reduce emissions, waste and chemicals. Others dye nylon, for example, in water or without solvent, dramatically reducing the amount of toxic chemicals required.
Additionally, new technologies are emerging that reduce the carbon footprint of nylon manufacturing. Other manufacturers are experimenting with bio-based feedstocks for nylon, including plant-based feedstocks such as castor oil, to supplement the petroleum ingredient. Such bio-based nylons are still in their infancy but promise to further reduce the material’s carbon footprint.
Biodegradable Nylon
The other big advance in nylon production is the production of biodegradable nylon. Traditional nylon decays over centuries; biodegradable nylon degrades faster in landfills or in compost piles. Biodegradable nylons are normally produced by mixing natural elements into the nylon polymer so it will degrade when exposed to water, heat, and microorganisms.
While biodegradable nylon is still relatively new, it’s an important development in developing eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives to conventional synthetics. Biodegradable nylon – if mainstreamed – will reduce non-degradable waste in the environment (including the fashion industry, one of the biggest landfill contributors).
Low-Impact Dyeing and Finishing
A further breakthrough in nylon manufacturing is making dyeing and finishing more environmentally friendly. The process of traditional dyeing can be highly toxic and involves enormous amounts of water, energy and chemicals. New dyeing technologies, including digital printing and waterless dyeing, allow for the environmentally friendly dyeing of nylon in ways that are drastically reduced. They require less water, produce less waste and eliminate damaging chemical emissions.
Additionally, new energy-efficient textile treatments are also being developed to reduce the overall energy footprint of manufacturing. Such innovations are expanding sustainability and making nylon more accessible to green-conscious shoppers.
Eco-Friendly Nylon Blends
While there are pure nylons out there, there are green nylon hybrids. Combining nylon with organic cotton, hemp or bamboo gives fabrics the strength and performance of nylon but the inherent sustainability of a plant fiber. Such combinations combine the best of both fibers and create a greener version of classic nylon clothing. Organic cotton, for instance, is cultivated without chemical pesticides or artificial fertilisers, therefore reducing its ecological footprint. Adding these fibers to nylon blends means companies are creating sustainable options without sacrificing performance.
- The Use of Nylon for Circular Fashion
Circular Fashion Explained
Circular fashion is a recent movement that opposes the linear fashion industry. On the linear model, garments are manufactured, used and dumped, sometimes in landfill or burning at the curb. This process, typically made with disposable fabrics, produces massive amounts of waste and pollution that largely accounts for the environmental challenges facing fashion today.
Circular fashion, by contrast, is a closed loop in which items are constantly reused, repurposed or recycled. This is all about making clothing last longer, minimizing waste and utilizing as little virgin materials as possible. This ensures that fashion accessories are fabricated from materials that can be continually reused and recycled into new designs, which reduces the fashion industry’s environmental impact.
There are three pillars at the heart of circular fashion: reduction, reuse and recycling — three principles on which we can make clothes, packaging and even business models. Circular fashion forces brands to design for durability, repairability and recyclability, building a circular economy where products and materials can be re-used. When the principle is leveraged with nylon, it can go a long way in making sustainable clothing possible.
Nylon’s Potential in Circular Fashion
Even if nylon was once considered a waste material in part because of its petroleum production, it plays an important role in the circular fashion equation. Nylon’s resistance to deterioration and strength, as well as its multiple recycling properties, make it a prime candidate for a circular economy. But unlike some fabrics that fall apart after several recycling cycles, nylon is reusable many times without degrading in quality or durability.
Recycling Nylon: The Process
Nylon recycling can be categorized into two major processes, mechanical recycling and chemical recycling.
Mechanical Recycling
In mechanical recycling, surplus nylon fabrics, garments or waste materials (like fishing nets or industrial waste) are collected, cleaned and processed into new yarns or fibres. It’s a chemical-free process, whereby you physically split the nylon into small fragments. It is then combusted and re-spun into new threads or cloth, which can be used to produce new clothing or textiles.
Chemical Recycling
Chemical recycling involves repurposing the nylon polymers back into their monomers to make new nylon. The process also enables the recycling of nylon material that cannot be recycled mechanically, like contaminated textiles or mixed fiber textiles. Chemical recycling may require more energy than mechanical recycling, but provides the potential for quality products and minimizes the need for virgin nylon production.
Benefits of Reusing Nylon for Circular Design
- Waste Minimization: Recycling nylon reduces the waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans. Nylon is not biodegradable, so its release into the environment has permanent effects. Nylon waste can be recycled and used to make new products.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Reusing nylon uses less energy than virgin nylon. With recycled nylon, clothing designers can offset their carbon footprint and help reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacturing.
- Environmental Management: Virgin nylon uses a high number of resources, including petroleum as its main raw material. Recycling nylon allows brands to keep natural resources at bay, removing the need for fossil fuels and taking care of non-renewable resources.
- Closed-Loop System: A circular fashion approach excels when materials can be endlessly recycled. The recyclable nature of nylon, which can be reused over and over without degrading, allows it to fall neatly into this circle, converting scraps into new ones and preventing waste from entering the environment.
The more brands use circular fashion, the more of a role nylon can have in shaping a sustainable fashion industry. By incorporating recycled nylon into collections, designers can reduce the need for virgin fabrics and encourage circularity in how clothing is manufactured and consumed.
- Nylon Businesses and Campaigns Embracing Circularity
Some of the leading fashion houses and projects are advocating for recycled nylon and other sustainable fabric. In collaboration with textile recycling organisations, by adopting sustainable production practices, and by creating closed loop technologies, these brands are demonstrating how nylon can help solve the sustainability problems of fashion.
Econyl by Aquafil
One of the most well-known recycled nylons is Econyl, produced by the firm Aquafil. This nylon is created from pre- and post-consumer materials, such as discarded clothes, fishing nets and plastic waste from the ocean. Econyl is recycled to remove the requirement for virgin nylon, lowering carbon emissions and saving natural resources. Designers like Stella McCartney, Gucci, Patagonia and Prada have all worn Econyl in their collections, which they are using as a viable alternative to virgin nylon.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Fashion Initiative has been a major catalyst in circular fashion. In partnerships with brands and suppliers, the Foundation has promoted sustainable products such as recycled nylon and has challenged fashion companies to use closed-loop systems of recycling and reuse. Lastly, the Foundation encourages the use of design concepts that allow clothes to be easily dismantled, cleaned and recycled at the end of their life.
Patagonia
Patagonia, a sustainability brand, was one of the pioneers in using recycled nylon. The brand uses recycled material in its outdoor gear and clothing, including recycled nylon jackets and bags. Patagonia has also embraced schemes that return used nylon to landfills. Their Worn Wear initiative lets customers buy pre-owned Patagonia clothing, bolstering the company’s commitment to reducing waste and encouraging circularity.
PANGAIA
As an ecollection brand, PANGAIA uses sustainable fabrics such as recycled nylon in its designs. The brand makes products from bio-based, biodegradable, and recycled ingredients with minimal impact on the environment. PANGAIA’s circular fashion philosophy is one of upcycling, as well as using recycled or compostable materials to create their products.
Rothy’s
Rothy’s, a shoe company, has devoted its entire operation to reprocessing plastic bottles into high-quality shoes, such as recycled nylon ones. Not only are Rothy’s shoes dependable, but they can be taken back to the manufacturer for recycling when their useful lives are up. The closed-loop approach represents the brand’s emphasis on circularity and sustainability.
With recycled nylon and circularity as their core values, these brands are shaping the fashion landscape and driving the move towards sustainability and greening.
- Consumer Participation in the Circular Fashion Economy.
Brands have a significant role to play in driving circular fashion, but so do consumers. Engaging in circular fashion practices can offset the ecological impact of the consumption of fashion and extend the lifespan of clothing.
Recycling Nylon Garments
They can also take their own steps toward recycling by sending old nylon clothes back to companies or textile recycling facilities. Brands like Patagonia and H&M have take-back policies, in which customers send back unused products to be recycled or reused. These programs close the cycle by recycling pre-worn nylon clothing that doesn’t wind up in landfills.
Upcycling Nylon
A third way that consumers can contribute to circular fashion is upcycling. Upcycling means creatively transforming an old garment or fabric into something new. For instance, consumers can recycle nylon jackets, bags or accessories to create new products without the need for new components. Not only does upcycling cut back on waste, it enables people to reinvent their old nylon clothes.
Educating Consumers
As we become more mindful of sustainability, it is imperative that consumers realize the role of their actions in creating a circular fashion economy. Manufacturers and institutions could educate the public on what to do with their nylon clothes, how to recycle or upcycle them, and which products are made of sustainable materials. Educated consumers are more likely to choose to act in ways that promote circular fashion, such as purchasing high-quality durable nylon products or brands that make their products from recycled materials.
By making circular fashion decisions and supporting nylon recycling and upcycling, consumers can contribute to a more circular and sustainable fashion economy.
- Non-Sulfite Nylon Fashion Lines & Brands
With sustainability becoming a major concern in the fashion industry, brands are adding sustainable nylon to their collections. From recycled nylon fabrics to eco-friendly manufacturing, these brands are answering consumer demands for something more sustainable.
Patagonia’s Commitment to Recycling Nylon
The iconic Patagonia company is a longtime pioneer of sustainable fashion, using recycled nylon for its outdoor products and clothing. The company’s stewardship of the planet is seen in the jackets, bags and other garments that are made with recycled fabrics, including recycled nylon. Patagonia’s recycled nylon not only saves waste but puts it back into the production process for a more sustainable fashion industry.
Rothy’s Recycled Nylon Footwear
Rothy’s is another company that has managed to include sustainable nylon in their products. The company works with plastic bottles and nylon to make high-quality, fashionable, and sustainable shoes. With recycled nylon, Rothy’s is reducing waste, making old plastic and nylon materials into new products rather than polluting the environment.
PANGAIA’s Eco-Friendly Approach
PANGAIA uses sustainable materials, such as recycled nylon, in creative ways. The brand’s dedication to circular fashion is evident in its products made of bio-based, biodegradable and recycled fibres. PANGAIA is also dedicated to upcycling waste and demonstrating how nylon can contribute to a circular fashion process that does not demand new materials.
- The Challenges and Drawbacks of Sustainable Nylon
Recycling nylon and other environmentally sustainable nylons can change the way people dress, but there are obstacles to bringing these technologies up to scale.
Challenges in Scaling Up Production
The capacity for sustainable nylon, in particular recycled nylon, is still very limited. High-quality recycled nylon can only be obtained by obtaining enough acceptable waste, and the technology to recycle nylon on a large scale is costly and difficult. The process of scaling up the production of recycled nylon involves large investments in infrastructure and technology, as well as the creation of effective recycling programmes.
Technological Limitations
Technologically, reusing nylon at scale is another technological hurdle. For instance, recycled nylon needs to be monitored in order to ensure it’s at the performance level required for fashion apparel. Mechanical recycling sometimes results in the fibres getting inferior, which makes it hard to manufacture high-quality clothing from recycled nylon. Chemical recycling is one answer, but it’s still in its infancy and requires further development to make it more efficient and scalable.
Energy Use in Recycling Processes
Although nylon recycling is less energy-intensive than virgin nylon production, the recycling still requires energy, particularly chemical recycling. To keep sustainable nylon alive as a circular fashion material, we’ll need to find ways to save energy on recycling and minimize the carbon footprint of recycling.
Comparison with Other Sustainable Fabrics
Despite its role as a landmark in sustainable fashion, sustainable nylon remains under pressure from more sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp and Tencel. Organic cotton, for example, is free of pesticides and requires less water than regular cotton. Hemp, however, is incredibly hardy, uses little water, and is compostable. Nylon can be recycled as a sustainable fiber, but natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp may be less environmentally damaging in the long run, especially when it comes to biodegradability.
Future Trends for Sustainable Nylon
Fashion is in transition, influenced by demands for sustainability and ethical manufacturing. In response to the environmental impacts of fashion choices that consumers are increasingly becoming aware of, brands are challenged to think outside the material box not only in terms of material but also in terms of manufacturing, design and pricing. Nylon, long regarded as the harbinger of fast fashion for its synthetic content, is now a driving force in the transition towards sustainable fashion. In a sector increasingly focused on recycling, renewable materials and circular design, nylon’s future in the industry is bright.
The Future of Sustainable Fashion: What Will Nylon Tell Us?
Nylon’s place in the sustainability world is evolving very quickly. Traditionally, nylon was denounced for its negative impact on the environment because it is based on petroleum materials and energy-consuming processes. Yet in recent years, nylon has been transitioning to more environmentally sustainable versions, with the production of recycled nylon and manufacturing practices that improve its sustainability.
Recycled Nylon as a Game-Changer One of the most important movements for sustainable nylon is the advent of recycled nylon. Regenerated nylon fabrics like Econyl (regenerated nylon) are manufactured from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, such as textile scraps, fishing nets, and plastics salvaged from the sea. This process eliminates virgin nylon manufacturing, minimizes waste, and decreases carbon emissions. With improved nylon recycling technologies, recycled nylon will be used more and more in clothing, from outerwear and accessories to sportswear and luxury goods.
Biodegradable Nylon The second priority for the sustainability of nylon is the creation of biodegradable versions. Nylon is not biodegradable by conventional methods, which contributes to its use of resources, most prominently landfills and oceans. But the latest advancements in biodegradable nylon are promising. Scientists are developing nylon alternatives that can be broken down over time for a more sustainable alternative to this synthetic fabric. Biodegradable nylon is in its infancy, but its ability to minimize long-term waste is enormous, especially if it’s produced on a mass scale and used in fashion trends.
Low-impact Manufacturing Processes As fashion brands reduce their environmental impact, nylon production is becoming less energy intensive and less destructive to the environment. Closed-loop technologies that recycle and reuse nylon in a neverending fashion are becoming increasingly common. In the meantime, brands are also using less toxins in their chemicals and using fewer dyes and finishing processes. Such developments are decreasing the environmental impact of nylon manufacturing and increasing its sustainability.
Increasing Circularity of Fashion Nylon can contribute to the future of circular fashion, in which clothing and other materials are recycled, reused and re-used in a loop. Circular design minimizes squander, reuses and produces products that can be recycled. As brands move to circular business practices and create take-back systems for out-of-date garments, nylon provides a perfect material for this. For instance, nylon goods can be redeemed by brands to be recycled or up-cycled, thus eliminating new material consumption and harming the environment.
Future Directions for Further Developments in Fabric Recycling, Manufacturing, and Biodegradable Solutions.
Several significant developments in textile recycling, manufacturing and biodegradability are expected to determine the future of sustainable nylon. These are a few of the trends that you should anticipate over the coming years:
Advanced Recycling Technologies Although nylon recycling has advanced considerably in recent years, it is not quite as efficient and scalable. The future of sustainable nylon will depend largely on chemical recycling technologies. These technologies let nylon be reconstituted into chemical fragments and rebuilt into high-quality new fibres. This could reduce waste and virgin nylon generation, making it a more sustainable closed loop process.
Circular Supply Chains Circular supply chains will continue to gain popularity, especially in fabrics such as nylon. In such systems, designers won’t just use recycled nylon, they’ll make clothing recyclable from the outset. This will include being able to dismantle and reuse materials, and manufacturing garments that are stronger, thus requiring less replacement. Circular supply chains will also involve take-back arrangements and closed-loop manufacturing that reduces waste and maximises reuse.
Low-emission and Energy-Effective Manufacturing With ever-growing market demands for sustainable nylon, manufacturers will continue to pursue technologies that are both energy efficient and low-emission. These will lessen the environmental impact of nylon production by consuming less energy and water. It will become increasingly popular for nylon factories to utilize renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Further, advancements in waterless dyeing and sustainable finishing treatments will diminish the harmful impact of traditional textile manufacturing processes.
Biodegradable Nylon Biodegradable nylon is one of the most promising new developments in the sustainable textile sector. Plant-based nylon alternatives, like bio-nylon and polylactic acid (PLA) nylon, are currently being trialled by firms and scientists who break them down over time. While it’s still a very young concept, biodegradable nylon could be a long-term alternative to the lingering waste of regular nylon. Depending on how it is manufactured on a massive scale, this material could disrupt the fashion world and help ensure that all textiles in the future are biodegradable.
Cooperation and Innovation in Industry As the fashion industry focuses on sustainability, brands, scientists and manufacturers will increasingly work together to create innovation. More and more fashion designers are collaborating with textile producers and recyclers to develop sustainable nylon solutions. Through this partnership, we’ll see more innovations in recycling technology, biodegradable packaging, and low-carbon manufacturing.
- Potential For Nylon to Be Wider Used as a Sustainable Material
Although nylon has a history of environmental stigma, it still has huge potential to be taken more seriously as a sustainable fashion fabric. The future for nylon’s sustainability is a decade or so ahead, as its recycling, biodegradability and sustainable manufacturing make it an increasingly popular fabric for fashion designers and consumers.
Awareness and Competition Part of the reason behind this movement towards sustainable nylon is a growing consumer interest and appetite for sustainable fashion. As consumers become more aware of how their purchases affect the environment, they are seeking out sustainable brands as well. This growing demand for sustainable fabrics such as nylon is driving brands to do greener things and invest in sustainable technologies.
Brand Resilience Big brands, especially in the luxury, outdoor, and activewear markets, are committed to incorporating sustainable fabrics into their designs. As brands such as Gucci, Patagonia and Stella McCartney continue to incorporate recycled nylon into their collections, they are working to transform the story of nylon from synthetic to sustainable. The fact that recycled nylon has been widely used by high-end and consumer brands will help ensure it remains an environmentally friendly fabric.
The Future Of Fashion: Circular This larger circularisation trend will help nylon further solidify its position as a sustainable fashion material. As the industry transitions from the linear cycle of production, where clothing is produced, worn and dumped, to a circular cycle of recycling and reuse, nylon will play a crucial role. Durable, recyclable and regenerative, nylon can be part of the circular fashion ecosystem, thereby ending the fashion waste loop.
Growing Demand for Recycled Nylon As the demand for recycled nylon increases, so will the availability of recycled nylon fabrics. Because of this newfound access, sustainable nylon will be available to a larger range of fashion designers, allowing them to incorporate it into collections and provide the consumer with eco-friendly options.
What Will Drive The Growth of Nylon Fabrics based On Consumer Demand For Sustainable Fashion?
How consumers shop and act determines how sustainable nylon can evolve. The more consumers know about the environmental impact of fashion, the more sustainable they make their choices. This consumer change is expected to impact the evolution of nylon textiles in a number of ways:
Higher Demand for Sustainable Fashion Brands will oblige to offer greener alternatives when people are asking for sustainable products like recycled nylon and biodegradable nylon clothes. The result will be a positive feedback cycle, where demand for sustainable clothing encourages the development of more sustainable, environmentally sound nylons.
More Transparency and Ethics Consumers, too, call for greater transparency within the fashion industry. They also want to know where they’re getting their clothes, how they are produced, and what materials they’re made of. Brands will need to react by being more open about their supply chains, manufacturing processes and materials sustainability. Such openness will likely encourage the increased use of sustainably produced nylon fabrics, because customers look for items that support their values.
Consumers will Buy the Business Models That Support Circular Fashion Consumers will buy more brands that adopt closed-loop technologies where clothes can be recycled and reused. Manufacturers that use circular business models and provide take-back schemes for nylon clothing will enjoy consumer encouragement to move toward more sustainable nylon products.
What to Buy When It Comes To Sustainable Nylon Fashion
As consumers demand more sustainable clothing, they should know how to shop ethically and educate themselves when purchasing nylon clothing. Here are some practical hints for shoppers to help them make more sustainable choices:
- Identifying Sustainable Nylon Garments
Look for Certifications and Labels
Most fashion brands and garments will also display certifications or sustainability signs that state that they are made from recycled or biodegradable nylon. Seek out certifications such as Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 that assure the garment is made of sustainable fabrics and sustainably produced.
Transparency in Production
Other brands tell you exactly where they source materials and how they’re manufactured. Look for brands that are open about the sustainability of their nylon fabrics and adherence to green practices.
Caring for Nylon Garments
Proper Care to Extend Lifespan
You want your nylon garments to be long-lasting and environmentally friendly, so treat them well. Nylon clothes should be washed in cold water to reduce excessive wear and tear and air-dry instead of utilizing a dryer which adds energy.
Recycle/Upcycling Recycled Nylon Products
Recycling or upcycling old nylon is a better option than throwing out. Most manufacturers have take-back programs where you can send back your old nylon clothing for recycling. Alternatively, you can recycle nylon old clothing into new garments, eliminating waste and creating a circular model.
Dhanya Nair is a fabric Lover and a mom. She offers a unique perspective on the intricacies and history of fabric and specializes in bringing the unique narratives of textiles to life.