A Guide to Sustainable fabrics
Sustainable industry broadly creates a combination of supply chain transparency, ethical business practices, uncomplicated accountability, minimum environmental impacts, favourable policies and promoting long- lasting materials. The prime goal of developing a sustainable industry is to create a system which can be supported forever in terms of human impact on the environment and social responsibility. Sustainable materials in the fashion industry refers to fibres that have the lowest negative impact on the planet.
The choice of fibres determine how much environmental degradation is ends up causing. Think of an example of a polyester t-shirt – the affects it has on the resources, the material processing, the use phase and the end phase. The amount of impact it puts on the environment by consuming water, realising micro plastics, green house gas emissions and adding up to landfill waste is negatively massive. But, on a positive note, there are a lot of fibres that creates much less impact on the planet and are proven to be good. These fibres can become a good alternative to wasteful fibres used in the industry.
While is no single fibre that can do all, but comparing to others, these fibres create the lowest environmental impact. Here’s a quick introduction to several environment friendly fabrics:
- 100% Natural Fabrics: Organic Cotton, Organic Hemp, Organic Bamboo, Organic Linen, Cork, Ramie, Banana, Jute & Nettle
- Recycled Fabrics: Recycled Cotton, Recycled Wool, Recycled Polyester, Recycled Nylon
- Responsible Animal Fibres: Sheep Wool, Merino Wool, Alpaca Wool, Yak Wool, Silk, Cashmere
- Semi- Synthetic Fabrics: Lyocell, Orange Fibre, Pineapple Fibre, Cupro
