10 Most Sustainable Fabrics (2022)
Sustainability is about more than if a material breaks down at the end of its life. Considerations such as how much water, the amount of land, and how long a crop takes to grow should also be noted. Let’s take a look at some common fabrics that are labeled as “sustainable.”
1. Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is more sustainable than non-organic cotton. Research showed organic cotton uses roughly 90% less water than conventional cotton.
In the interest of full transparency, some have contested the research. Organic cotton is grown mostly using rainwater, so it reduces the pressure on the water system.
It’s better for the soil than conventional cotton. Organic cotton does not use any toxic chemicals. Crop rotation is used to protect the plants from pests and diseases.
If the field has proper crop rotation it will also lead to healthier soil. This is good for the climate because healthy soil pulls carbon from the atmosphere. Since organic cotton is not treated with harmful chemicals, it is also biodegradable.
2. Organic Linen
Organic linen is considered one of the most sustainable fibers in the world. There are never any fertilizers or pesticides used when growing organic linen.
This is important because these pesticides can lead to water and soil pollution. Organic linen is compostable and biodegradable as long as it is not treated with harmful products.
Unfortunately, less than 1% of the world’s total linen is organically grown. Brands like Eileen Fisher and other sustainably sourced linen brands are moving the needle forward on the demand for organic linen clothing.
3. Organic Hemp
Organic Hemp is also considered one of the most sustainable fibers in use today. Hemp is a natural, renewable fiber that grows quickly in a variety of climates. It does not require pesticides or fertilizers to grow, and little water is needed.
Hemp produced 250% more fiber than cotton. It is compostable and biodegradable unless there are harmful additives added to it.
Hemp can be beneficial for the soil too. It replenishes vital nutrients and can extract harmful pollutants like mercury and zinc. The root system minimizes erosion and it can be planted on the same land repeatedly.
It is commonly used as a crop rotation crop when more nutrients are needed in the soil. The processing of hemp can have harmful impacts on the environment from the use of pesticides.
Even though fertilizers are not necessary, they are still used. Hemp is also a labor-intensive crop.
4. Pinatex
Pinatex is a natural material commonly used as an eco-friendly material for vegan leather. It is made from a byproduct of the pineapple fruit harvest. By using these leaves, less organic waste is going to the landfill which means fewer methane emissions are produced.
The finished product is not biodegradable. It is usually a mix of 80% pineapple leaf fiber and 20% PLA, or plastic.
This means if it does degrade, it will leave a toxic residue behind. The good news is this is a problem that is actively being worked on to come up with a more sustainable solution.
5. Tencel
Tencel is a trademarked name. It is a fabric made from sustainably sourced raw wood fibers.
It is biodegradable and the materials are sustainably harvested. Less-toxic materials are used and 99% of the chemicals and solvents are recycled.
Tencel is not perfect. There are still harsh chemicals and dyes used when making the products, but it is said to use 40% less energy from non-renewable resources than cotton.
6. Bamboo
Bamboo is easy to grow and does not require the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Bamboo can survive in shallow, rocky soil which is great because it regenerates from its roots.
The crop will grow to its maximum height in one season, meaning even if it is used for lumber, it will grow back in a year. This is way less time than most trees, some of which take 100 years to reach maturity.
7. Econyl
Econyl is a material that recycles synthetic waste from ocean pollution into clothing. The material is made from recaptured fishing nets left behind by fisherpeople that have become a threat to marine life.
The process takes the plastic waste and makes it into a nylon yarn that is the same quality as virgin nylon, but more sustainable. Most of the products made from this material are for swimwear and surf brands.
8. Qmonos
Qmonos is a synthetic material made with microbes and spider silk genes. The fiber that is made from this fusion is said to be the toughest fiber in nature.
It is five times stronger than steel, very lightweight, more flexible than nylon, and biodegradable. No spiders are harmed to make this material. It is said to be a more sustainable and ethical alternative to silk and nylon.
9. Recycled Polyester
There is a debate on whether using recycled polyester is sustainable or not. The reduction of plastic waste is a noble goal, but turning plastic bottles into clothing garments prevents them from being recycled again.
Microfiber shedding is one of the largest polluters of microplastics. When fabrics made of recycled polyester are put into a washing machine, some of those fibers will be shed into the water where they can easily be mistaken for fish food by sea life.
The chemicals used in the materials may also leach into the water system as pollution. This material is not biodegradable and will sit in a landfill and degrade at a ridiculously slow rate.
10. Cork
Cork is a natural material made from the bark of cork oak trees. The tree is not cut down to harvest the cork.
It is a delicate process that involves peeling the cork away from the tree using large axes. The harvesters are taking great care to make sure the living section of the tree is not hurt.
Cork trees take 25 years to reach maturity. They can be harvested every 9 years after that. A single tree can live up to 300 years and provide more than 1.5 tons of cork.
The trees do not need fertilizer, pesticides, or pruning to thrive. They absorb up to 5 times more carbon than they put out making their carbon footprint lower than many other materials.
