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35 Most Sustainable Fabrics In The Market (Know Your Materials)

35 Most Sustainable Fabrics In The Market (Know Your Materials)

Most Sustainable Fabrics

There is an increasing awareness about the environmental consequences of our lifestyles and how we consume. That’s why it’s a no-brainer that people are looking at ways to live more sustainably in their daily lives and choose products that help them do this.

Sustainable fabrics are created with materials that have been responsibly sourced from environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable sources. The fabric is then manufactured with minimal impact on the environment and factory workers.

The sustainable fabrics I’m showing you today will help you do your part for the planet while looking beautiful!

Why We Should Go For Sustainable Fabrics

Why We Should Go For Sustainable Fabrics

Have you always wondered why the planet should be saved? Well, the reason is simple. If the Earth were a human being, it would have been diagnosed with cancer a couple of decades ago.

Scientists fear that if humans continue to destroy the planet, it may enter a perpetual ice age within one generation.

When one thinks about fashion and sustainability, the only thing that springs to mind is eco-friendly designs. Sustainability has its roots in the textile industry and emphasizes on the manufacturing phase of clothes.

Sustainable textiles differ from conventional textiles as they are more earth-friendly. There are several reasons why we should go for Sustainable fabrics.

1. Sustainable fabrics save natural resources 

Recycled fibers have emerged as a far more environmentally friendly alternative since they ease the strain on virgin resources and address the expanding waste management issue.

For comparison, the manufacture of virgin nylon uses 70,000 barrels of oil and produces 57,100 tons of CO2 for every 10,000 tons of ECONYL® raw material used in our swimwear.

2. Sustainable fabrics reduce your carbon footprint

On the other hand, environmentally friendly manufacturers frequently utilize materials made from natural or recycled fibers that require little to no chemical processing, little to no water, little to no energy, and no fertilizers or pesticides to grow.

Most organic materials, like TENCELTM (produced from sustainable wood pulp) and linen, hemp, and organic cotton, are biodegradable.

These sustainable materials are beautiful choices that are kind to the earth.

3. Sustainable fabrics save animal lives

You may not be surprised to learn that the fashion business will kill for fashion. For instance, it’s a frequent misperception that leather is a byproduct of the meat business.

This isn’t always the case, though. Over 430 million animals are thought to be killed and slaughtered annually by the leather industry alone. 

There is a cruelty-free alternative for almost every fashion material, thanks to sustainable fashion brands.

Examples include polyester made from ocean trash (sounds familiar, doesn’t it? ), bags made from recycled seatbelts, plant-based compostable sneakers, silk made from yeast, and bio-fabricated vegan wool.

However, one of the most popular leather substitutes nowadays is made from pineapples. The fabric is made from pineapple leaves used as byproduct waste during harvesting.

4. Sustainable fabrics require less water

A crucial resource for the apparel sector is water. It is utilized in almost every step of the dyeing and finishing procedure for our clothing.

A staggering 2,700 liters of water are required to make just one T-shirt. Particularly dependent on water, cotton is typically farmed in hot, dry climates where water is already in short supply.

Conversely, when compared to conventional cotton, organic cotton uses 91% less water. Yet only 1% of cotton produced worldwide so far is organic.

This is mainly because organic growers only utilize non-GMO seeds. After all, they are far more expensive and frequently require additional material and equipment investments.

5. Sustainable fabrics supports fairer and safer working conditions 

Eco-ethical companies promote offering their employees fair wages, good health benefits, and humane working conditions. These companies’ worker pay is typically above average.

They typically demonstrate a greater goal of ending poverty by providing economic possibilities for needy individuals. We all want to feel excellent about the things we wear, which includes feeling great about the circumstances of their manufacture.

Do you agree that the well-being of those engaged is just as important as the welfare of the environment and animals?

6. Sustainable fabrics teach us how to love our clothes again 

It is just so simple to overlook the lifetime and story behind a piece of clothing when admiring it in a store.

In actuality, the industry pushes us to be disengaged, which is why we are. But being aware of all the drawbacks of this sector should encourage more thoughtful consumption. one that respects people, animals, and the environment.

It’s time to acknowledge how our purchasing choices affect other people.

Not as a minor aspect of our contemporary lifestyles that varies with the seasons but as a human and environmental duty that may significantly impact the planet’s future.

Why These Fabrics Are Sustainable?

Why These Fabrics Are Sustainable

To keep up with demand, makers of fast fashion are forced to rely on virgin synthetic materials, which are quick to produce and inexpensive.

Textiles make up 7.7% of municipal solid waste in landfills, however, can take decades or more to biodegrade (polyester, nylon, or acrylic). It’s time to slow down, and it’s also time to examine our clothes labels more carefully.

But how can we tell which materials are environmentally friendly and which are not? There isn’t a single “ideal fabric” that can address every issue.

All new materials require resources to develop, and while we adore vintage and used clothing, depending on the substance, those items may also contribute to the microplastics issue.

Sustainable fabrics are frequently created from natural or recycled resources to minimize the harm caused by the manufacturing process, the characteristics of the fibers, or the overall environmental impact.

These materials can also help with waste management, water conservation, reduced carbon emissions, and soil regeneration, albeit, as was already noted, no fabric is completely sustainable.

The term “sustainable fabrics” is frequently used to refer to various eco-friendly materials, and many fabrics have earned this designation for various reasons. Fabrics are also a shifting aim, just like sustainability.

Thus, no one fabric can accomplish it all. However, it is hoped that we can develop a more open fashion business through ethical production and eco-friendly growth methods.

Best Sustainable Fabrics In The Market

1. Viscose

Viscose

Viscose is another material sought after for eco-friendly apparel, but this again depends on how it is created!

Viscose, a form of semi-synthetic rayon fabric manufactured from wood pulp, is frequently used as a replacement for silk. Lyocell, Tencel, Modal, and Refibra are a few examples of viscose created from sustainable forests using a much kinder chemical process.

For instance, the production of Lyocell is entirely waste-free since every byproduct is recycled in some form. This eco-friendly substance is soft, lightweight, breathable, and absorbent.

Can viscose be biodegraded? It is, indeed! Despite not being the most environmentally friendly material available, viscose is a wonderful biodegradable fabric compared to acrylic, nylon, and polyester.

2. Seacell

Seacell

A sustainable manufacturing process combined with the distinctive environment of Icelandic waters resulted in Seacell fabric.

Crushed seaweed and Lyocell, a fiber created from wood pulp, are combined to create it.

Because of its very high antioxidant content, seacell apparel protects from the cold and the environment and more subtle skin protection.

The minerals and vitamins the fabric absorbs during creation assist in preventing free radical damage in skin cells, resulting in a brilliant fusion of fashion and science.

3. Organic Cotton

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically manipulated seeds (GMOs).

Though it is not always a given without the proper certifications or openness, this typically signifies a sustainably managed cloth production process.

A GOTS or OCS certification is preferable, but consider that organic certifications can be pricey.

4. Recycled Cotton

Recycled Cotton

Utilizing either post-industrial or post-consumer waste, recycled cotton is created.

This is used by many slow fashion firms and for a good cause. This implies that your preferred eco-friendly cotton underwear or eco-friendly blue jeans might be created using leftover fabric from the manufacturing process or other recycled cotton clothing.

Cotton that has been previously used helps keep used clothing out of landfills.

However, certifications and regulations are challenging because it’s difficult to determine where recycled cotton comes from.

Because a garment can be recycled into recycled cotton even if it contains some synthetic blend (as long as that blend is 4% or less), it is challenging to determine whether it is pure cotton (and could therefore be composted).

5. Organic Hemp

Organic Hemp

A versatile plant, hemp may create various products, including food, building materials, cosmetics, and textiles.

Due to its all-season applicability and capacity to become softer the more washes it receives, it is one of the oldest textiles still in use.

Hemp is also a relatively low-maintenance plant. It is inherently eco-friendly and requires little water and no pesticides.

Even nutrients are returned to the soil! Hemp is a fully sustainable fabric if cultivated organically, without using chemicals to speed up the process.

6. Organic Linen

Organic Linen

Since hemp has been grown for hundreds of years, needs no upkeep, and degrades naturally, organic linen has many of the same advantages as hemp.

Additionally, it is delicate, light, durable, and naturally resistant to moths. There is extremely little plant waste because linen fabric can be made from every component of the plant.

Although the production process involves a lot of mechanical labor and produces some pollutants, the fabric is still one of the most environmentally friendly solutions.

7. Organic bamboo (Bamboo Linen)

Organic bamboo

It is possible to harvest bamboo without harming the plant itself. Bamboo can regenerate quite quickly as one of the plants with the quickest growth rates on earth.

Bamboo uses more CO2 than some trees, similar to hemp. It can thrive on rainwater and doesn’t need a lot of input.

One of the most environmentally friendly fabrics can be made from organic bamboo, but that doesn’t mean it always is.

It might include chemically intense processes, with all the adverse effects that go along with it, depending on how it’s processed. Less than 4%).

8. Cork

Cork

Our bodies have replaced the board and the bottle with cork fabric. For a good reason, the material has gained popularity for vegan handbags and shoes.

By shaving away the bark, cork is sustainably obtained from a cork oak (yep, it comes from a tree). To prolong its life, Quercus suber should be harvested.

The tree absorbs more carbon dioxide than most other species of trees while it is regrowing its bark. Plantations that produce cork can so serve as a carbon sink.

9. Lyocell

Lyocell

Lightweight wood pulp fabric called Lyocell has excellent qualities such as being very absorbent, anti-bacterial, odorless, and moisture-resistant.

Lyocell is biodegradable since the wood pulp is a plant-based material, contributing to its sustainability as a fabric.

Tencel is the most well-known lyocell brand.

Although cellulose fibers must be produced through the chemical digestion of wood pulp, the water and chemicals used in the process are typically recyclable.

This significantly reduces the number of new chemicals and water needed for production.

10. Modal

Modal

Another semi-synthetic fabric with a reputation for excellent comfort and breathability is modal.

Modal is created from beech trees, like lyocell, which is made from eucalyptus pulp.

It uses the same closed-loop production method of recycling water and solvents that is also utilized for lyocell. Still, it produces less waste and chemicals than unsustainable viscose rayon fabric.

Up to 99% of the solvent is recycled in the brand-name TENCELTM modal.

Additionally, their product is carbon-neutral and only uses wood that has been legally collected; these are all reasons to choose manufacturers who use TENCELTM from Lenzing.

11. Bamboo Lyocell

Bamboo Lyocell

These days, bamboo is widely used in various products, from eco-friendly sunglasses to ethical lingerie. This is because bamboo’s popularity is on the rise.

Like conventional or TENCELTM lyocell, bamboo lyocell is produced using a closed-loop system that recycles water and chemicals.

However, as we briefly noted, bamboo can also be highly unsustainable, and bamboo viscose can easily be mistaken for closed-loop bamboo lyocell.

Both of them involve plasticizing the pulp into silky fibers using a variety of chemicals.

So keep an eye out for bamboo lyocell that has been processed in a closed-loop system and uses few hazardous chemicals.

A few companies that produce bamboo socks and pajamas, as well as the supplier Monocle, have begun developing their own sustainable bamboo lyocell measurements.

12. Ecovero

Ecovero

Lenzing, the company that produces most of the lyocell and modal used worldwide, has just introduced a new type of viscose fiber called Ecovero.

These fibers, which come from various sustainable wood and pulp sources and fulfill the highest environmental criteria, are 50% less polluting and use less water than conventional viscose fabric.

Regarding sustainability, Lenzing and its products set the bar extremely high.

Suppose you see their name attached to a brand. In that case, you can be confident it was produced utilizing closed-loop techniques and that you are selecting some of the most environmentally friendly textiles available.

13. Pinatex

Pinatex

While the pros and cons of leather and vegan leather are still up for dispute, Piatex offers a sustainable alternative to both questionable materials and animal byproducts.

The substance, which Ananas Anam first created in 2017, is made from discarded pineapple leaves that would otherwise be burned.

Unless it is combined with petroleum-based glue, which is occasionally the case, it can also spontaneously biodegrade.

14. Scoby Leather

Scoby Leather

Your “buch bottlestrange’s” floating objects may contain the leather of the future.

Here’s the gist if you don’t drink kombucha: The living culture material known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), used to ferment kombucha, can also be used to make leather.

After being spread out on a mold to dry, the SCOBY leather is produced into tea-based vegan shoes, wallets, and clothing.

It’s not as disgusting as it sounds, we assure you.

Naturally, SCOBY-based leather doesn’t use animals, is biodegradable, uses no heavy metals or other chemicals during the tanning process, and is considerably less expensive than genuine leather.

15. S.Cafe

S.Cafe

Your “buch bottlestrange “‘s floating objects may contain the leather of the future.

If you don’t consume kombucha, the general idea is that S.Cafe will make your coffee last a little longer.

Ground coffee beans are used in the process to create sustainable yarn. The final product dries rapidly and offers UV protection naturally.

You might have a coffee odor all day (though we wouldn’t mind that either), but at least you’ll be dry, comfortable, and eco-friendly!

16. Qmonos

Qmonos

Qmonos, synthetic spider silk created utilizing spider genes and microorganisms, is one of the most intriguing materials we’ll discuss today.

Since no spiders were harmed in cloth manufacturing because it is synthetic, it is vegan-friendly and non-animal-harmful.

Amazingly, the fiber is five times stronger than steel, giving it exceptional durability. Despite this, the cloth is thin and flexible.

Though 100% biodegradable Qmonos is a fantastic sustainable fabric option, it is essential to note that it is costly and difficult to find.

17. Brewed Protein

Brewed Protein

Your “buch bottlestrange “‘s floating objects may contain the leather of the future.

Here’s the gist if you don’t consume kombucha: That cup of coffee can go a long way.

Brewed Protein is the newest environmentally friendly fabric to hit the market, and it comes from the same Japanese business, Spiber Inc., that created Qmonos.

Brewed Protein, produced by fermenting biomass obtained from plants, is a silky protein fiber that resembles a cross between SCOBY and QMILK.

One of its sustainable strengths is its adaptability; it can be turned into threads resembling cashmere or fine silk or hardened into a resin resembling a tortoise shell.

Aside from the numerous uses, it is entirely biodegradable (without degrading into microplastics), vegan, and generates much less waste. 

It has many uses in addition to being entirely biodegradable (without disintegrating into microplastics), vegan, and emitting significantly fewer greenhouse emissions than fibers made from equivalent animal protein sources.

You probably won’t find it in too many places because it’s new, but Spiber and The North Face just worked together to produce The Moon Parka, the first outdoor jacket made of brewed protein.

18. Apple Leather

Apple Leather

Apple Eco Leather, also available in vegan leather, is created from waste from the apple juice industry and goes by the name Pellemela in Italian.

It’s produced by the Italian company Frutmat, which also goes by that name for tissue in a Kleenex-like situation. This company specializes in recycling biological waste.

On its own, it’s fully biodegradable, waterproof, breathable, and super durable.

That’s why you’ll pretty much only find it in purses, wallets, eco-friendly handbags, ethical sneakers, and sustainable running shoes.

19. Woocoa

Woocoa

This alternative plant-based wool, manufactured from hemp, coconut fibers, and mushroom enzymes, has become quite popular.

This vegan wool is both sustainable and animal-friendly.

20. Cupro

Cupro

Cupro fabric, also known as Cupra, is a vegan substitute for silk created from cotton linter, a waste product of cotton production, or recycled cotton clothing.

The little fuzz that remains on seeds after harvest is known as linter.

Natural cotton fibers are exposed to chemicals, like lyocell and modal, to create a semi-synthetic fabric. Of course, a closed-loop technique is used, recycling almost all of the water.

This fabric is one of the least sustainable on the list, even though it is both recycled and semi-natural (and hence much more sustainable than any non-recycled synthetic).

Some believe that the primary use of cupro cloth is just to generate revenue from the garbage collected in nations like China (greenwashing warning!).

21. Q Milk

Q Milk

Self-described as the “material of the future,” QMilk. And perhaps it is! It certainly has a futuristic feel to it.

The material creates an organic, compostable, flame-resistant fabric, and velvety smooth using casein, a milk protein obtained as a byproduct of the dairy industry.

But keep in mind that QMilk isn’t vegan.

22. Econyl

ECONYL

Since ECONYL is created from recycled nylon waste, it has gained popularity since Aquafil first offered it in 2011.

This upcycled nylon is produced using a closed-loop system, which saves water and lessens waste.

It is made from recycled materials like fishing nets, waste fabrics, and industrial plastic. ECONYL® can shed microplastics like virgin polyester, nylon, and plastic.

Thus, it’s worthwhile to experiment with a washing bag or do less frequent washing.

23. Recycled Polyester

Recycled Polyester

Recycled polyester is PET from plastic water bottles that have been processed into fibers (PET is the chemical used to make polyester).

The fabric is recycled and prevents plastic from ending up in landfills.

We advise looking for recycled polyester because it is less damaging than its virgin equivalent and produces fewer carbon emissions during production when a garment can’t be constructed entirely of natural fibers (for example, stretchy garments like underwear or leggings).

24. Sheep Wool

Sheep Wool

Wool can be used in place of synthetic fibers made of plastic or petroleum, such as nylon and polyester, because it is a natural fiber.

It has a long lifespan and commonly uses few chemicals throughout the processing phase.

The majority of animal husbandry, including those that breed sheep for wool, has been linked to environmental deterioration and land removal.

Additionally, several ethical and animal welfare issues have been raised about wool production.

We had to learn as much as possible about this problem since we care about animals.

25. Merino Wool

Merino Wool

The skin of merino sheep is wrinkled, which results in more wool than other species of sheep.

Australia produces a sizable portion of the world’s merino wool, and many of its operations engage in the horrifying practice known as “mulesing.”

There is such a thing as ethical merino, especially if it comes from New Zealand, where mulesing is unacceptable, and animal welfare regulations are very high.

Don’t be afraid to confront brands with complex questions regarding their transparent sourcing policies.

26. Alpaca Wool

Alpaca Wool

While it won’t pass muster with vegans, alpaca is considered the most environmentally friendly type of wool available for those who desire it in their clothing.

Alpacas are gentle on the grass because they have lighter footpads that don’t harm the ground beneath them and because when they eat, their teeth cut the grass rather than pull it out, allowing it to continue growing.

In addition to minimal maintenance, alpacas don’t require a lot of food or water to survive. Alpacas are primarily located in Peru.

Therefore purchasing this natural fiber also supports local indigenous populations who don’t raise these animals in intensive farming practices.

27. Cashmere

Cashmere

Cashmere is one of the world’s most popular and entirely biodegradable fabrics for luxuriously soft and warm eco-friendly sweaters.

Its fibers reach a maximum diameter of 15 microns (compared to 100 microns of a human hair). Goats raised in the hilly areas of Asian nations like Mongolia are the source of this product.

Unfortunately, this cloth has a lot of negative environmental and ethical connotations.

Specifically, issues relating to goat herders’ labor conditions and the environmental effects of goat rearing.

Thankfully, cashmere may be sourced sustainably; nonetheless, it’s crucial to read the fine print.

To maintain the fibers and avoid the risk of hurting or frightening the animals, look for those who employ hand combing procedures.

28. Carmel

Carmel

One of the most environmentally friendly animal fibers is camel wool. There have been fewer documented instances involving camels where animal welfare is an issue with other types of wool.

The Bactrian camel, which is the type utilized, sheds naturally.

This implies that the camel is less likely to suffer harm or pain. Small-scale, family farmers, are usually responsible for raising these camels, lessening the environmental impact.

Camel wool doesn’t need to be processed with chemicals or colors because it is entirely biodegradable.

Even the most environmentally friendly fashion lines available today are sadly hard to come by.

29. Yak wool

Yak wool

Yak wool is an excellent substitute for cashmere, which is very soft and toasty.

It is taken from Yaks bred outdoors on the Tibetan Plateau, either from the outer coat, which produces a coarser fiber or from the undercoat, which produces a softer fiber.

Yaks shed a lot throughout the year. Thus, harvesting the fur doesn’t involve the animal in any way and instead uses material that would otherwise just biodegrade in nature.

The nomadic herders who tend to these herds receive additional compensation.

Ethical yak wool is now being used by companies like Reformation, which appears in many of our brand guides for sustainable fashion.

30. Vegetable Tanned Leather

Vegetable Tanned Leather

A fiber made from animals is leather. Generally speaking, it employs the skin of animals produced for meat (sustainably re-purposing a byproduct), although it has also come under fire for ethical and environmental concerns.

First off, leather is either produced by slaughtering 1 billion animals annually for its own sake or as a byproduct of the meat business (which is better, but still not great since the meat industry is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and heartbreaking unethical treatment of animals)

Second, the 250 chemicals used in tanning leather, including cyanide and arsenic, are just as harmful to the environment as they are to tannery workers.

It also won’t biodegrade! The leather should ideally be repurposed, so you’re just making the most of damaging, non-renewable material.

There is no other genuine ethical leather available than this.

No animal should be killed for the sake of a coat or a pair of unethical boots, regardless of how sustainable the item is, so if you choose pure leather, make sure it’s a byproduct.

Regarding processing, chrome-free tanning is superior to conventional tanning but is still far from environmentally friendly.

Instead, seek out manufacturers that make a point of using vegetable tanning or sustainable natural dyes.

Even vegetable-tanned leather, which is theoretically a natural material, isn’t perfect because it takes a long time to decompose.

31. Down

Down

Due to worries about animal cruelty, down and feather clothing and bedding are highly sought-after but also subject to intense scrutiny.

After all, down does originate from ducks or geese.

However, from a sustainability perspective, down utilizes byproducts of the global food sector that would otherwise be wasted.

Even though it’s disgusting, millions of geese and billions of ducks are grown for meat, and using down makes good use of the feathers that would otherwise be wasted.

To ensure no wrongdoing and that no animals are harmed just to harvest their feathers, we always want to seek certificates in the agricultural animal industry, particularly in ducks and geese.

32. Silk

Silk

Silk is produced by silkworms that exclusively eat the easy-to-grow, pollution-resistant leaves of the mulberry tree.

Due to the features of this plant, producing silk is a relatively waste-free process.

However, because silk requires the use of animals, it’s important to research companies and make sure they use moral production practices.

Be sure to look for Ahimsa silk (or Peace silk).

33. Bananatex

Bananatex

Banana Tex® is exceptionally resilient and sturdy while still being elastic, light, and soft.

The Natural White colorway is undyed and depicts the actual color of the fibers. Bananatex® can be made waterproof by applying an all-natural wax coating. The end product has a silky and distinct hand feel.

Bananatex has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold, the highest level of certification available for secure, circular, and ethically produced products.

34. Tencel

Tencel

Tencel is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics because it is completely compostable, biodegradable, and derived from verified wood sources.

Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given it the BioPreferred designation, which is only for goods made from renewable resources

35. Deadstock

Deadstock

Although not a specific type of cloth, companies that advertise themselves as sustainable frequently employ deadstock fabric.

Deadstock fabric, which could be slightly damaged, overordered by the original owners, or marketed as fabric scraps, is a simple old fabric that hasn’t been sold.

Because these textiles already exist and were produced decades ago, no new harmful manufacturing methods are required to create vintage deadstock.

Deadstock is not always sustainable, though. This is because certain firms purposefully overproduce fabric in anticipation of consumers purchasing it at a reduced price.

Additionally, you can purchase low-quality fabric because some deadstock textiles may not have been used due to too many problems.

You’ll be making a sustainable decision if you stick with old deadstock.

Conclusion

Have you ever wondered how to avoid buying clothes that are harmful to the environment?

Or maybe you’re trying to cut down on the amount of clothing you buy? Maybe you haven’t thought about fabric in terms of sustainability before. I get it. But I just wanted to tell you that better options exist.

And I’m talking about sustainably sourced, fair trade, organic fabrics which are better for your health, wallet, and our environment — and are super easy on the eye!

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