Guide to the Most and Least used Sustainable Fabrics
Ever wondered about the materials used in the clothes you wear? How the fabrics impact the environment?
The fashion industry accounts for 8.1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. In this guide, we find out what are the most and least used sustainable fabrics in fashion.
The most used sustainable fabrics include organic cotton, organic linen and organic hemp. These fabrics tend to have a longer life cycle than those fabrics that are not sustainable. The least used sustainable fabrics are nylon, polyester and acrylic.
1. Polyester
Polyester is the most used fabric in the fast fashion industry, as it is cheap and easier to access in production. Polyester fabrics are non-biodegradable, so it takes roughly 200 years to break down. Polyester is one of the most polluting fabrics out there because it is a synthetic material made from petrol.
Polyester also uses a lot of water in producing clothes, this is a negative externality to the environment as water is scarce in parts of the world with water shortages occurring frequently. The water from production is full of chemical dyes that reduce access to clean drinking water. Water pollution, therefore, harms animals, plants and humans.
2. Acrylic
Acrylic is mainly used to produce sweaters, hats, and gloves that require warmth in cooler seasons. This fabric actually involves highly toxic chemicals that aren’t only harmful to workers but also to consumers. By inhaling this, it will impact the lungs and bloodstream of factory worker’s bodies.
Acrylic is also non-recyclable which also adds to the waste in landfill. Overall, fabrics that are derived from petroleum should be avoided. They impact human's health and also contribute to air pollution.
3. Nylon
Nylon is typically used in tights and stockings and is derived from crude oil. Nylon also adds to the waste in landfill because it is non-biodegradable. Crude oil is also a form of petrol and are the worst forms of energy. It creates greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide co2 and uses an excessive amount of water and energy.
1. Organic cotton
Organic cotton is grown without nasty chemicals, it has no harmful pesticides and is completely recyclable. The cotton material is soft on the body and does zero harm to it. It also uses little energy and water to produce in comparison to nylon.
2. Organic hemp
There are multiple benefits of using hemp in the fashion industry. Hemp can naturally insulate and cool the body and the fabric can protect your body from UV rays.
The Hemp plant is resilient and requires little water to grow, and in Hemp production, there is no involvement of chemicals. The more you wash your clothes the softer and more comfortable they will get. Overall, using hemp as a fabric is environmentally friendly and is long-lasting.
3. Organic linen
Linen is very durable and is a fabric that can be worn even in hotter seasons. Linen comes from a flax plant and requires little water just like cotton and hemp. Linen is a lightweight material so it makes for better airflow over the body. Linen uses little water and energy so it reduces the carbon emissions on our planet.
Just like cotton and hemp, linen comes from nature, so these fabrics create a circular flow in the production process. Recycling, reusing and regenerating our fabrics are key to a sustainable planet.
As the millennial generation gains purchasing power, their high expectations of sustainable business practices influence shopping trends. Younger generations value transparency and sustainability and are more willing to pay for quality garments where brands prioritise the planet.
The current climate, waste, and pollution will continue to rise if consumer’s mindsets don’t evolve. By thinking of garments we wear as short term rather than long term investments, we contribute to wasteful consumption patterns that will deteriorate our planet.