Growing awareness about environmental problems is pushing people to shift towards green choices. There has been a considerable drift towards eco-friendly approaches in all walks of life including fashion. For every individual, sustainable eco-friendly fabrics don’t only create positive environmental impacts, they are the beginning of a sequence of sustainable practices to help all of us. If you have been curious about what fabrics are friendly to the environment or which ones you should care for, then this guide will assist!
1) What Are Eco-Friendly Fabrics?
“Eco-friendly fabrics are cloth materials made while causing the least harm to the environment or even negative impact.”
These types of fabrics aim to enhance farming methods that are less harmful or difficult, production processes, and utilize recycling approaches. This is so that the fabrics do not destroy the ecological balance. Normal fabrics cause environmental destruction by poison and non-notable chemicals. However, eco-fabrics use organic, compostable, or remade materials. They demand lower temperatures, pesticides, and energy during the production phases.
Figure no 1 Eco-friendly Fabrics
Using eco-friendly materials is a great way to fight pollution and also save the planet for future generations by conserving resources. If you are a consumer, designer, or trader, the selection of materials doesn’t only change a lot but also has a profound impact.
2) Most common sustainable fabrics
Are you curious about what materials are sustainable? Okay! In this section, let’s explore some of the eco-friendly fabrics that are quite common and the reasons why they are eco-friendly.
i) Organic Cotton
Cotton that is organically grown is not made using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. It not only saves harm to the soil but also improves farmers’ health. It uses less amount of water as compared to normal cotton and is also bio-degradable. If you’re looking at textiles for clothes or home fabrics and the product contains organic cotton, you are encouraging the use of more eco-friendly methods.
Figure no 2 Organic cotton
ii) Linen
Made from the flax plant, a crop that does not need a lot of water or pesticide to grow. Linen is known to be very strong and has a good weathering capability while also being biodegradable. Table covers, curtains, and the like makes garment linens an excellent choice.
iii) Better Cotton
Better Cotton is an initiative for improving the growth and harvesting of raw cotton. While Better Cotton is indeed not 100% organic it fully understands the need to look after environmental and social concerns.
iv) Hemp
Hemp fabric is a miracle in the realm of eco-friendly fabrics. It grows fast, does not require much water, and does not require pesticides. Fabric hemp is sturdy and tough, as well as being water efficient and protected from mold and harmful rays. Hemp textile is ideal for clothing, bags, and even home decor.
Figure no 3 Hemp
v) Cork
Cork is sourced from the bark of cork oak trees that’s turned into fabric. The harvesting of cork does not damage the tree so it grows back. Thus, it can be harvested over and over again. Cork is light, water-resistant, and incredibly tough. It is commonly used for bags, shoes, and other items.
Figure no 4 Cork
vi) Bamboo Linen
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that does not require any pesticide whatsoever, and only very little water. Bamboo linen fabric is made by physically destroying bamboo fibers rather than chemically processing them. Thus, it is being more environmentally friendly. The final product, fabric, is soft, breathable, natural, and decomposable making it a desired material in clothing and bedding.
vii) Recycled Polyester
On one hand, ordinary polyester comes from crude oil resources, on the other hand, recycled polyester reduces the amount of plastic waste. Waste plastic bottles or old fabrics are turned into strong fabric. Therefore, it helps to prevent them from going into landfills. Recycled polyester may not be naturally decomposable but it reduces the creation of new plastic and saves energy consumption.
viii) Tencel Lyocell
Tencel Lyocell uses wood pulp harvested through responsible methods. Moreover, it generally comes from the wood of eucalyptus trees. The process of production follows a closed-loop system. Hence, there is the reuse of water and chemicals which leads to conservation. The fabric is absorbent, and gentle and is able to decompose, making it suitable for usage in activewear as well as day-to-day clothing.
Figure no 5 Tencel Lyocell
ix) Econyl
Econyl is a type of nylon that is manufactured from used materials such as old fishing nets and plastic. This is better than the conventional nylon which is non-biodegradable as well as requires large amounts of resources. It is usually applied for swimwear, outerwear, or any accessories. Because it is eco-friendly and also has very good quality standards.
Figure no 6 Econyl
x) Wool
Wool is a biodegradable and renewable fabric sourced from animals. When produced responsibly, wool can be highly sustainable. You should choose products certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) to ensure ethical and environmentally safe practices. Known for its warmth, wool is perfect for making clothing and blankets that provide excellent insulation.
xi) Pinatex
Pinatex is a recently developed sustainable material that is derived from the fiber of a pineapple leaf. This fiber replaced leather as it is cheap and can be used to create shoes, bags, and furniture. Pinatex helps use farm waste and instead of harming the environment, helps promote healthy farm practices.
xii) SCOBY Leather
SCOBY refers to the “Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast”, a type of leather that is suitable for vegans and is also biodegradable. It requires a fertile environment to grow, so it is made through a fermentation process. Although still in its nascent phase, SCOBY leather has a lot of potential in the world of sustainable fashion.
Figure no 7 SCOBY leather bag
3) Making Sustainable Choices
Yes! Adding greens to your dressing style might be simpler than you might expect. Many designers and brands are looking into these trends for amazing output. Do you want to use any of the eco-friendly fabrics to make jackets or any other clothing item? If yes! Then one such source is Liling Clothing, which offers a range of clothing services from jackets to shirts to pants that promise sustainability practices within quality standards. In this case, you can look fashionable from the outside and be satisfied from the inside as you are not participating in environmental pollution!