Elastane Fabric Guide: How Sustainable Is It?
What makes clothing like sportswear more stretchy? The quick answer is elastane (aka spandex or lycra.) While the fabric makes clothes stretchier, it’s not the most eco-friendly material.
What is Elastane?
As most other sources note, elastane is a synthetic fiber. That fiber is made from a type of plastic known as polyurethane. It’s important to know that polyurethane is a carcinogenic chemical.
Beyond elastane putting our wellness at risk, it also harms the planet. In this rare instance, it’s not the plastic that’s the problem.
Polyurethane is one of the most eco-friendly forms of plastic made. It’s biodegradable and not as toxic to the environment.
The main problem with elastane is that it’s made from fossil fuels. Before we get into that, here are some other quick facts about elastane:
- Dr. Joseph C. Shivers invented elastane.
- The use of spandex makes clothing stretch up to 600% more.
- Spandex was popularized by actresses such as Ann-Margret and Joan Collins.
How does elastane harm the environment?
Elastane is made from petroleum. Petroleum contributes to carbon dioxide getting into our environment, contributing to global warming.
Spandex material is also not recyclable and not biodegradable. It might sound confusing since we said that polyurethane is biodegradable and recyclable.
But the problem is that spandex is not just made with polyurethane. It’s blended with other fibers, which results in it not being recyclable or biodegradable.
Is there a sustainable alternative to spandex?
Sorona is a newer fabric that’s partially made of plants and can be recycled. The manufacturing process also produces fewer greenhouse gases compared to spandex. It’s eco-friendly while providing the same stretchiness in clothing that people want.
As we grow more conscious of our environmental impact, we need to put more effort into making sustainable choices. Make your next step towards green living by ditching spandex and pursuing eco-friendly alternatives.
