What fabrics are sustainable?

What do we look for when choosing sustainable fabrics? Whether you are a clothing manufacturer or a fashion lover who doesn't love the impact of fashion on the planet, choosing sustainable fabrics is one of the first things we can do to make our wardrobes more environmentally friendly and without impacting so much on our planet

But there is a lot of debate about which fabrics are really sustainable. Is natural always good and synthetic is bad? What happens when we wash or discard our clothes?

To help you, the Meio Sustentável has listed natural and futuristic fabrics that we consider the most sustainable. Please have a read!

1) Sustainable fabrics: Natural fibers

a) Recycled cotton

Cotton is one of the most common and most used fabrics (it represents almost half of the fabric used in the textile industry). This natural fiber is light and breathable, which makes it a basic wardrobe item. But cotton cultivation can be problematic: conventional cotton is one of the most thirsty and makes intense use of chemicals. It requires a lot of pesticides and, as a result, has a negative impact on the planet and the people who grow it. Organic cotton, a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton, has been growing in recent years. The goal is to minimize the environmental impact of cotton production, trying to remove harmful pesticides and other chemicals from the production process. Make sure your organic cotton is certified by GOTS to ensure high production standards.

If you are looking for the most sustainable cotton, however, it is the recycled cotton. Recycled cotton is made from post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste. According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, recycled cotton is a more sustainable alternative to conventional and organic cotton. It has the potential to help reduce water and energy consumption, as well as helping to keep cotton clothing out of the landfill - which is why we consider it to be one of the most sustainable fibers on the market.

b) Organic hemp

Although hemp has been used for centuries to create all kinds of goods, the plant is most often associated with the hippie subculture prevalent in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hemp is returning to popularity and for good reason - it is a extremely sustainable harvest! This specific type of cannabis plant grows quickly, does not deplete the soil and does not require pesticides. Hemp creates a strong and durable fabric that does not irritate the skin. This is different from many artificial fabrics found in most fast fashion stores.

Hemp looks a lot like linen and can be easily wrinkled like airy fabric. The natural product is not resistant to color, which means that it does not produce vibrant colors unless aggressive chemical dyes are used. Hemp that is not dyed or naturally dyed can produce beautiful, yet muted tones.

c) Organic linen

Linen is another natural fiber that we have grown for centuries. Similar to hemp, it is derived from a very versatile crop: the flax plant. Flax requires minimal water and pesticides and even grows on poor quality soil. In addition, each part of the plant is used, so that nothing is wasted. The linen is strong, naturally resistant to the moth and, when untreated (ie, not dyed), fully biodegradable. In addition to being good for the planet, it is also light and can withstand high temperatures, absorbing moisture without containing bacteria. How not to like it?

d) Silk

Although silk is a natural fiber and can be inherently cultivated in a sustainable manner, there are ethical questions about the luxury product. Silk originated in the 27th century BC in China. Since ancient times, the fiber has been cultivated from silkworms that survive completely on mulberry leaves. This process can have a low impact because mulberries are resistant to pollution and easy to grow. However, many criticize silk production for its harsh treatment of silkworms. The most traditional manufacturing process boils living silkworms to gather the cocoons, which create the fiber.

Ahimsa, or Peace Silk is a great alternative to that! Instead of killing the worms, Peace Silk waits until the cocoon is spilled naturally. Finally, it is again important to be careful with companies that take natural material and use toxic chemicals to break it into fiber or to dye the fabric a different color. Don't be fooled by shiny objects!


Natural and sustainable fabrics have the advantage of being biodegradable and avoiding the use of plastics that go hand in hand with the fossil fuel industry. However, not all natural fabrics made the list: bamboo, wool and leather bring their own complex problems, which means that we are cautious when recommending them right away.

Fashion is all about innovation, so what is the industry doing to create new sustainable fabrics? Here are some of the new types of high-tech synthetic fibers that have also made our list.

2) Sustainable fabrics: synthetic

Recycled polyester

Virgin polyester is known as one of the least sustainable fabrics out there. While this may not be entirely true, there is an incredibly damaging process used to make the synthetic material. Polyester is man-made and uses a lot of chemicals, water and other fossil fuels. However, like cotton, there is an alternative that gains popularity.

Recycled polyester uses PET (the chemical used to create polyester) from plastic water bottles and breaks them down into fibers. This process uses almost half the amount of energy that creating virgin polyester does! The recycled fabric keeps plastic out of landfills and can be recycled multiple times. Surprisingly, recycled polyester can look very soft and lighter than virgin polyester, but it's never a bad idea to double check this fabric label!

3) Sustainable fabrics: futuristic and innovative

a) Sustainable fabrics: Tencel

TENCEL® is a lightweight cellulose fabric, which means it is created by dissolving wood pulp. The fiber is produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. It has grown in popularity recently, as it is 50% more absorbent than cotton and requires less energy and water to produce. In addition, the chemicals used to produce the fiber are managed in a closed-loop system. This means that the solvent is recycled, which reduces hazardous waste.

In addition, Tencel has anti-bacterial properties, which makes it perfect for active clothing!

b) Sustainable fabric: Pinatex

When it comes to vegan leather alternatives, Piñatex is the material to watch. This futuristic material made from pineapple leaf fiber and manufactured by Ananas Anam was featured at Vogue in 2017! Who knew that pineapple food can also be worn?

It is not just a cruelty-free substitute for leather, it is natural and sustainable. As Piñatex is produced from a food by-product, it reduces waste and helps agricultural communities that grow these fruits!

c) Sustainable fabric: Econyl

Another recycled fabric that we really like is Econyl. This fiber, created by the Italian company Aquafil, uses synthetic waste, such as industrial plastic, used fabric and ocean fishing nets, then recycles and regenerates them in a new nylon thread with the same quality as nylon.

This regeneration system forms a closed circuit, uses less water and generates less waste than traditional nylon production methods. The residues are collected, cleaned and crushed, depolymerized to extract nylon, polymerized, transformed into threads and then resold in textile products. Econyl is a promising fiber, much more sustainable than nylon.

We must warn that traditional Econyl washing can still release plastic microparticles that can end up in the ocean. Therefore, with this product, it is better to use items rarely washed, such as sneakers or to buy a Guppy bag.

d) Sustainable fabric: Qmonos

Spiders are not only small (or, in Australia, huge) and sometimes scary - they are also a great source of inspiration for sustainable fashion. In fact, Qmonos, a synthetic spider silk, was recently developed through the fusion of genes and microbes from spider silk. The fiber is said to be five times stronger than steel, nature's most resistant fiber, although it is very light, more flexible than nylon and fully biodegradable.

No spider is grown or harmed in the manufacturing process, making Qmonos a more sustainable and ethical alternative to silk and nylon.

At Good On You, we always recommend that you check a brand before buying. Look for transparency and whether the brand is providing information about the fabrics it uses, where they come from and how they are handled. It is also important to consider working conditions and manufacturing when thinking about the sustainability of a fabric. Be sure to choose transparent and open brands to ensure that you make the most ethical choice. And when in doubt, know that buying second hand is almost always the most sustainable option.



Translated from source (link below)

Source:

https://meiosustentavel.com.br/tecidos-sustentaveis/

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