5 Most Sustainable Natural Fabrics

We believe a quick investigative search into the clothing labels you are potentially purchasing from can make a significant difference in our contributions towards protecting the planet.

While it can be challenging to avoid purchasing from fast fashion giants, the ever-advancing technology and growing demands for conscious goods is compelling the fashion industry to propel forward toward sustainable change.

Slow fashion utilizes the most eco-friendly sources possible to ensure long-term fashion sustainability. It offers products made from sustainable materials that protect and enhance the environment rather than harming it.

What Are Sustainable Fabrics?

Sustainable fabrics can be made from natural or recyclable materials. Unlike non-sustainable materials, the production process, fiber characteristics, and overall ecological effects of these fabrics are minimal. While no fabric is entirely free of an ecological footprint, superior materials contribute towards building a circular fashion industry through ethical manufacturing and environmentally-sound marketing practices.

Eco-friendly fabrics perform drastically better in water usage, waste reduction, reduced pollution, soil regeneration, etc. The five sustainable, natural fabrics listed below are ones that we should all be aware of and prioritize.

5 Sustainable Natural Fabrics 

• Organic Cotton 

Cotton is among the most prevalently used fabrics globally, but it also consumes an excessive amount of water and chemicals which are environmentally harmful. Organic cotton is a natural fiber that is substantially more eco-friendly. Cultivated without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals, it is a safer, more eco-friendly choice. Compared to conventional cotton, organic cotton uses 91% less water, 62% less energy, 70% less acidification, 46% less global warming potential, and 26% less soil erosion risk. 

• Organic Hemp 

Hemp is a super versatile crop that can be used to produce a variety of different products. It is used in various industries including clothing, food, skincare, etc. When it comes to hemp’s role as a fabric, its excellent functionality, proclivity to softening after washing, and easy maintenance have made it one of the choicest materials for apparel for decades. Like organic cotton, organic hemp consumes minimal water, uses no chemicals, and is naturally environmentally friendly.

• Organic-Linen 

Organic linen is delicate, light, sturdy, and naturally moth-resistant. A striking highlight of the fabric is its ability to decompose in two weeks if pure and untreated. In comparison to conventional fabrics that take 20 to 30 years to break down, and even up to 500 years for polyesters, organic linen is a winner in the realm of sustainability. Additionally, there is relatively little waste because the entire plant can be utilized. The production process is rather mechanically detailed, but the fabric remains one of the finest environmentally friendly alternatives available.

• Organic Bamboo (Bamboo Linen) 

The bamboo fabric market is diverse. While certain varieties of this fabric are produced ethically and sustainably, some go through intensive chemical processes. This is why it's critical to know how bamboo is treated to make the fabric. The best quality and eco-friendly bamboo fabric are mechanically produced using non-cellulose extraction techniques. The result is bamboo linen, a soft, cuddly, and absorbent fabric that can be used to manufacture various clothing items. Make sure to choose bamboo fabric produced using a mechanical over chemical approach to avoid plasticized bamboo rayon or viscose.

• Cork  

Cork fabric is a natural textile constructed from the tough layer of oak tree bark. Well-known for leaving a lesser environmental and carbon footprint, all materials used in cork processing and weaving are organic. Cork fiber is 100% biodegradable, recyclable, compostable, and natural. The cork oak tree requires no fertilizers or pesticides to grow, and also doesn't discharge microfibers that contaminate rivers, lakes, and seas. Additionally, burning cork-made products doesn't release any hazardous gasses. Cork fabric is one of the few natural fabrics with ample environmental advantages.

How to Determine the Sustainability of Fabrics

The term greenwashing isn't uncommon in today’s fashion industry. Greenwashing is the practice of businesses creating deceptive marketing materials and branding that makes them appear to be environmentally friendly without actually adopting sustainable practices. Many fashion houses and firms frequently employ greenwashing strategies to persuade customers to buy their products under the guise of being sustainable.

Understanding clothing labels is an excellent way to avoid being a victim of greenwashing and to identify the true materials used to make your apparel.

Look out for the certifications like GOTS, Oeko-tex, Cradle to Cradle, etc., on clothing labels when you're attempting to shop sustainably.

The Unsustainable Fabrics

Despite the amazing natural, sustainable fabrics and innovative technology-driven alternatives, the majority of clothing is still manufactured from non-sustainable materials. The largest offenders are fast fashion companies who frequently use these materials to create clothing with cheap price tags and poor quality without appropriately compensating workers or guaranteeing safe working conditions. These garments are also extensively disposed of in landfills, eventually contaminating their surroundings with harmful substances and microplastics. It’s important to steer clear of such fabrics that only wear down the planet and endanger our health. Here are some of the top non-sustainable materials to stay away from that are bad for the environment and people.

5 Least Eco-Friendly Fabrics 

• Polyester— Polyester fabrics are created from a synthetic, man-made polymer, making it equivalent to plastics. They release microplastics and take hundreds of years to decompose, making them one of the most environmentally damaging fabrics.  

• Rayon— Rayon fabrics may be made from natural wood pulp but they are first converted into cellulose using hazardous chemicals and solvents. This makes them unsustainable and harmful. 

• Nylon— Nylon is frequently manufactured from fossil fuels. It is a smooth thermoplastic that is melted and transformed into fabric. The production of nylon fabric involves massive amounts of poisonous, hazardous chemicals.  

• Acrylic— Like nylon, acrylic is constructed from plastic fibers produced by burning fossil fuels.  

• Conventional cotton— Cotton is natural fiber but conventionally produced cotton poses many issues owing to the heavy exercise of water, pesticides, chemicals, etc.

The key to ensuring your fabrics are healthy for the environment and your body is to make sure it is 100% natural and certified organic. Thanks to the fresh wave of emerging brands addressing clothing made from organic materials, we now have more organic clothing options than ever before.

Conclusion  

Information and awareness are among the most crucial steps in purchasing sustainable clothing. The fabric choice is what helps bridge the gap when you're aiming to make eco-conscious fashion decisions.

Looking to offer products made from sustainable fabric to your customers? Give us a call at 949-680-4004 or email us at gallant@gallantintl.com.