The increasingly daunting environmental issues have attracted the attention of more and more people, and the importance of eco-fashions has gradually become more prominent.
An increasing number of brands and individual workers are pinning their hopes on material innovation, developing a wide range of sustainable fabrics from various perspectives of green concepts, in the hope of reversing the impact of the fashion industry on the environment.
Sustainable natural and plant-based fabrics
1. Organic cotton
Organic cotton is one of the most natural fabrics.
In organic cotton production, the main approach is natural farming management using organic fertilizers and biological pest control, without the use of chemical products. The entire process, from seeds to agricultural products, is natural and pollution-free.
From an ecological perspective, organic cotton cultivation uses 62% less energy and 88% less water compared to traditional cotton cultivation.
Relevant certifications prove that these fibers were grown that these cotton fibers were grown without any chemicals and processed without any chemical substances, ensuring that the final garments are chemical-free.
Organic clothing brands use this fabric in almost all types of clothing: organic underwear, organic mattress protectors, organic maternity wear, organic baby wear, and so on.
2. Recycled cotton
Recycled cotton is produced from industrial or consumer waste.
Many slow fashion brands use it, indicating that your favorite cotton underwear or sustainable jeans are made from industrial waste or other recycled cotton clothing.
3. Organic hemp
Hemp is one of the most environmentally friendly natural fabrics.
It has a high yield, is beneficial to soil growth, and requires significantly less water than cotton.
It is considered a carbon-negative material, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Due to its numerous benefits, such as natural sunscreen and antibacterial properties, and the fact that it is more difficult to cultivate, hemp tends to be slightly more expensive than other sustainable organic fabrics.
4. Organic flax
Flax is almost as sustainable as hemp.
The fabric is ultra-light and breathable, and the only difference lies in the fact that linen is extracted from flax plants.
Its growth requires minimal fertilizer, pesticides, and irrigation. However, unlike hemp, flax does not have a high yield.
However, linen is still quite popular, and textiles ranging from linen clothing to linen bedsheets are all considered among the most popular fabrics.
5. Organic bamboo
Bamboo cloth can be harvested without killing the plant itself.
This indicates that bamboo can renew itself very quickly and is also one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.
Like hemp, bamboo consumes than some trees.
Moreover, it doesn’t require a large investment and can survive solely on rainfall.
Organic bamboo can be transformed into one of the most sustainable fabrics, but this does not mean it will always remain so.
Based on its processing method, it may involve chemically intensive processes and bring about harmful impacts.
Mechanical processing is a relatively environmentally friendly method, but it only accounts for a small portion of the market.
6. Cork cloth
Cork cloth has moved away from its traditional association with wooden boards and bottles, and has become more closely associated with our clothing.
This material has become a popular choice for making vegan bags and shoes.
Cork is harvested from cork oak trees by scraping off their bark. When the cork oak trees regrow their bark, they consume more carbon dioxide than most other types of trees.
Therefore, cork plantations can actually serve as carbon sinks. Once the cork is harvested, it can be dried in the sun and transformed into fashionable products using only water.
Sustainable synthetic fabrics
1.ECONYL
ECONYL is a type of recycled nylon, made from recycled nylon synthesized from ocean plastics, discarded fishing nets, and used fabrics.
Although it feels exactly the same as nylon, this fabric is manufactured using a closed-loop system, which requires less water.
2. Recycled polyester
Recycled polyester is also known as RPET. Single-use plastics are clearly causing serious damage to our environment, and many brands have found ways to give second lives to plastic bags, bottles, and textiles that were previously landfilled.
Recycled polyester has a wide range of applications and can exhibit many different sensations and functions.
Recycled polyester can be used to manufacture lightweight and elastic sportswear, as well as various thick and fluffy sustainable products.
Sustainable fashion brands such as Patagonia, prAna, and Reformation have been using it for many years.
Sustainable semi-synthetic fabric
1.Tencel lyocell Fabric
TENCEL™ is the trademarked brand name for Lyocell and Modal produced by the Austrian manufacturer Lenzing., is a semi-synthetic or cellulose-based fabric. Tencel lyocell Fabric has become very popular in the sustainable fashion industry.
Lenzing is the world’s most renowned producer of lyocell and modal.
It is made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, which does not require a large amount of water and pesticides.
In terms of the TENCEL™ brand, only sustainably managed forests are used.
The production of lyocell is also sustainable, as it requires less water than other fabrics and is carried out in a “closed-loop system”. Advanced processes enable a solvent recovery rate of up to 99.7%.
2.Modal Fabric
Modal Fabric is another semi-synthetic fabric, renowned for its superior comfort and breathability.
Just as Lyocell is made from eucalyptus, Modal is made from beech trees.
Although it employs a production process similar to that of unsustainable viscose rayon fabric, it utilizes a closed-loop production process with the same recycled water and solvents as lyocell, resulting in significantly less waste and chemicals involved.
Their products are also carbon neutral and are made solely from wood harvested from certified sources.
These are all reasons why we prioritize the consistent use of Lenzing’s TENCEL™ and Modal brands.
3. Bamboo Lyocell
Nowadays, the popularity of bamboo is soaring, and its ingredients can be seen in products such as eco-friendly underwear and sunglasses.
Like conventional or TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, Bamboo Lyocell is also manufactured using a closed-loop process, allowing for the reuse of chemicals and water.
However, as we briefly mentioned earlier, bamboo can also be unsustainable, and it is easy to confuse closed-loop bamboo lyocell fiber with bamboo viscose, both of which require a large amount of chemicals to transform pulp into silk-like fibers.
Some pajama brands, such as supplier Monocel, have begun to create their own sustainable bamboo fiber indicators.
4.Ecovero
Lenzing™, the brand responsible for most of the world’s lyocell and modal products, has launched a new viscose fiber called Ecovero.
Compared to ordinary viscose fibers, these fibers have a 50% reduction in carbon emissions and water usage. They are sourced from various sustainable wood and pulp sources, meeting the highest environmental standards.
5.PINATEX
PINATEX is a plant-based leather made from pineapple leaves, and has entered the sustainable fashion industry as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather.
It is essentially a food by-product made from waste pineapple leaves, reducing resource waste, and can naturally degrade even when frequently used in combination with wooden PLA.
6. SCOBY Leather
For those who enjoy drinking Kombucha, take a closer look. Those seemingly ordinary floating particles at the bottom of the bottle could potentially be the leather of the future.
Kombucha is fermented using a living culture called SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), and this paste-like bacteria can also be turned into leather.
SCOBY’s leather evidently does not require animals, is biodegradable, and does not necessitate heavy metals or other tanning chemicals. Furthermore, it is significantly cheaper than real leather.
7.S.CAFE
Thanks to S.CAFE, your coffee can stay fresh for longer.
This process involves using ground coffee beans and transforming them into yarn. The finished product is quickly dried and provides natural UV protection.
Clothes made from S.CAFÉ provide excellent odor control and UV protection, keeping you fresh all day., while maintaining a comfortable and eco-friendly state.
8.QMONOS
If you wear clothes made of Qmonos, you will feel as if you are in a science fiction movie.
This is because this Japanese fabric is made from synthetic spider silk, produced using microorganisms and spider silk genes.
This fiber is stronger than steel, yet it remains lightweight and comfortable.
It is fully biodegradable, and as they mentioned in the movie, no spiders were harmed in the production of this fabric.
9.BREWED PROTEIN
Spiber, the Japanese company that brought us Qmonos, has launched a new eco-friendly fabric: BREWED PROTEIN.
Similar to the combination of SCOBY and QMILK, Brewed Protein is a filamentous protein fiber produced through the fermentation of plant-derived biomass.
Its versatility is one of its strengths for sustainable development, as it can be processed into thin filament-like threads, cashmere-like yarns, or hardened into resin resembling turtle shells.
In addition to its wide range of applications, it is fully biodegradable (does not decompose into microplastics), vegan, and produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared to similar animal-derived protein fibers.
10.APPLE ECO LEATHER
APPLE ECO LEATHER (also known as Pellemela, originally referred to as Pellemela in Italian) is another type of vegetable leather made from waste materials from the apple juice industry.
It is manufactured by Frutmat, an Italian company specializing in the recycling of biological waste.
On its own, it is fully biodegradable, waterproof, breathable, and durable.
11.WOOCOA
Alternative plant-based wool has become popular worldwide, including this wool made from hemp, coconut fiber, and mushroom enzymes.
This pure plant-based wool is not only animal-friendly, but also sustainable!
12.CUPRO
Cupro (also known as cupra) is a silk substitute made from recycled cotton apparel or cotton linters, which are a by-product of cotton cultivation and consist of the short hairs that adhere to the seeds after harvesting.
Similar to Lyocell and Modal, natural cotton fibers are transformed into semi-synthetic fabrics through chemical treatment.
Of course, this is done through a closed-loop process, where almost all the water is recycled.
13.QMILK
QMILK claims to be “the material of the future”.
This material utilizes casein, a by-product from the dairy industry, to create a natural, compostable, flame-retardant, and silky-smooth fabric.
Natural fabrics derived from animals
1. Wool
As a natural fiber, wool can be regarded as an alternative to plastic/petroleum-based synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester.
It is durable and typically does not require a large amount of chemicals during the processing stage.
Moreover, wool fabric can be naturally biodegradable.
2. Merino wool
Merino sheep differ from other types of sheep in that their skin is wrinkled, which means they produce more wool.
Much of the world’s merino wool originates from Australia. The wool fibers are fine, and the fabric woven from it is delicate, soft, considerate, and comfortable.
Every year, Merino sheep produce new wool, making Merino wool a sustainable and renewable fiber source, while also being biodegradable.
3. Alpaca wool
Alpaca and camel are related. Most of the world’s alpacas are still raised in their native habitat, typically in Peru. Alpaca wool is considered one of the most ethical and environmentally friendly types of wool.
Alpaca wool boasts at least 22 natural colors. Its processing avoids the hazards of chemical substances, making it gentler on the skin and more environmentally friendly.
4. Cashmere
Cashmere is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. Its fibers can be as fine as 15 micrometers, making it suitable for making soft and comfortable eco-friendly sweaters. It is also a fully biodegradable fabric.
It originates from goats raised in mountainous areas of Asian countries such as Mongolia. In terms of the working conditions of goat herders and the ecological environment for goat farming, some environmental protection concepts may differ.
However, in terms of cashmere itself, it is sustainable and biodegradable.
5. Camel hair
Camel hair is considered one of the most sustainable types of animal fibers.
The type of camel used is a Bactrian camel, which sheds its hair naturally.
This means that the likelihood of causing harm or suffering to camels is reduced, and these camels are typically kept by small-scale family farmers, which also helps to minimize environmental damage.
Camel hair is fully biodegradable and does not require dyes or chemicals during processing.
6. Yak hair
Yak hair is a substitute for cashmere, and it is very soft and warm.
It is harvested from the outer coat (yielding coarser fibers) or downy undercoat (yielding softer fibers) of free-range yaks on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Yaks shed a large amount of hair throughout the year, so harvesting fur actually does not directly involve the animals, but rather utilizes something that biodegrades naturally in the environment.
7. Down
Down comes from ducks or geese. From the perspective of sustainable development, down jackets utilize a by-product that would otherwise be wasted in the global food industry, reducing the waste of feathers.
8. Silk
Silk is beneficial to the skin due to its antimicrobial properties, and it is also beneficial to the environment due to its complete compostability.
It is produced by “wild silkworms” or, in most cases, domesticated silkworms.
Peace Silk adopts a humane sericulture method and verifies its production under the guarantee system of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Also known as “Ahisma Silk”, the non-violent production process allows silkworms to live a natural and humane life, ultimately evolving into butterflies.
