What does it mean SUSTAINABLE fabric?

UNSUSTAINABLE FABRIC

SUSTAINABLE FABRIC

ALPACA

• alpaca sheep don't require insecticides to be injected into their fleece

• don't require antibiotic treatments

• alpaca wool very long-lasting, wrinkle/frame-resistant, and extremely durable

• warmer than wool

• has no lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic

BAMBOO

• easy to grow without pesticides and quick to replenish itself

• bamboo fabric processing is extremely toxic

• manufacturing of bamboo does raise environmental and health concerns. 

• about 50% of hazardous waste from rayon production (including the bamboo variety) cannot be recaptured and reused and goes directly into the environment

• antibacterial properties of bamboo fabric are not scientifically proven yet

*** Bamboo fabric can be considered more sustainable if it is produced using a mechanical rather than a chemical process. The mechanical process is the same eco-friendly process used to make linen fabric from flax or hemp.

CASHMERE

• cheap cashmere is produced with chemicals and carcinogenic dyes

• cashmere may also be blended with other fibers, such as non-sustainable polyester

*** from an eco-perspective, cashmere is long-lasting and highly durable

COTTON 
Inorganic

• uses more pesticides than any other crop in the world

• pesticides can remain on garments long enough and irritate consumers' skin

• requires more water than organic cotton from irrigation due to poor soil quality

• low-yield crop

COTTON 
Organic

• still use a lot of water but less than inorganic cotton

• safer for farmers because it does not use toxic chemical treatments

• promotes and enhances biodiversity and biological cycles by maintaining healthy soils

HEMP

• harsh chemical herbicides aren’t necessary

• hemp naturally reduces pests, so no pesticides are needed

• returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil

• requires very little water

• fabric production can be done organically through a mechanical process that requires no chemicals

LINEN

*** cheap linen is treated with chemicals in fast-fashion retailers

• requires very little pesticides

• linen is in its most green form when it’s in a natural shade or dyed with natural dyes

• linen is also a bit wrinkly and does not require ironing thus saving energy

MODAL 

*** some people question modal eco-friendliness

*** can be dyed with harsh chemicals (many containing heavy metals) 

• modal is a high yield cellulose biodegradable fiber

• absorbs 50% more moisture than cotton which keeps it odor-free and uses less energy from washing

• machine washes and tumble dries without shrinking (durability fabric)

*** Lenzing Modal® is made from sustainably harvested beech trees and is bleached with an environmentally friendly method

NYLON

• made from petrochemicals which are very polluting to the environment

• nylon is non-biodegradable 

• releases nitrous oxide when manufactured

POLLYCOTTON 

• all “permanent press”, “easy care” or “crease-resistant” cotton fabrics are treated with the toxic chemical, formaldehyde

POLYESTER 

• made from polluting petrochemicals as well

• non-biodegradable and lasts a very long time in landfills

RAYON 

• biodegradable fiber 

• produced from renewable cellulosic plants (such as pine trees, bamboo and beech trees). 

• non-environmentally friendly manufacturing process (uses chemicals and heavy metals)

RAMIE

• natural plant fibers

• requires less water than cotton

• naturally resistant to bacteria and grows healthily without pesticides

• one of the strongest natural fibers (8 times stronger than cotton)

• stain resistant

SILK (Natural)

• it takes thousands of grubs to create a small amount of silk

• the silkworms die during the process of extracting the silk

• the pupae are a rich source of protein, which makes them a popular snack across many Asian countries

• the outer-cocoons are also used as fertilizer or to stuff pillows

• many silks are also dyed with toxic chemicals

SILK VEGAN (Peace Silk)

• this kind of silk is made from the worm casings gathered only after the moths have emerged and moved on

• but this ethical option is not widely adopted as the end product is not as soft

SOY FABRIC

*** watch out for soy blends with polyester and inorganic cotton

• made from byproducts of soy oil processing

• good for bras and panties because its soft and silky

• can be certified organic, sustainable, eco-friendly

TENCEL (Lyocell) 

*** not all Tencel fabric is made from sustainable wood, and can also be dyed with high-chemical dyes

• non-chemical alternative to viscose

• fiber made from the wood pulp of Eucalyptus trees (eucalyptus grows quickly without pesticides, fertilizers, genetic manipulation or irrigation)

• extremely environmentally friendly process (uses less energy and water)

• biodegradable and recyclable 

• absorbs perspiration, doesn’t allow bacteria growth, remains odor-free which means fewer washes to save energy

WOOL 
Non-Organic

• biodegradable and renewable fiber

• scouring (washing) and processing wool use harmful chemicals that pollute the environment, and copious amounts of water

• mass-producing wool often leads to the inhumane treatment of animals

• sheep are often treated with dangerous insecticides to ward off ticks and lice

WOOL 
Organic 

• biodegradable and renewable fiber

• feed and forage used for the sheep from the last third of gestation must be certified organic

• synthetic hormones and genetic engineering of the sheep aren't used

• sheep being grazed in smaller paddocks for shorter periods of time, allowing the paddock to be in recovery for most of the time - better for soil

• organic yarns are often left in their natural state or use non-toxic, organic dyes 

• made according to Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)

RECYCLED POLYESTER

• it is usually made from recycled plastic bottles

• buying recycled polyester means you’re minimising waste and cutting out the fossil fuel industry

RECYCLED
COTTON 

• It is made using post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste

• according to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, it is a more sustainable alternative to both conventional and organic cotton

• help keep cotton clothes out of landfill