Shopping Consciously
When it comes to shopping sustainably choosing the right fabrics is one of the most significant ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Not all fibres are created equal and some materials are far more eco-friendly than others. Here are 10 Eco-Fabrics ranked from least to most sustainable based on their environmental footprint and benefits.
10. Silk
Silk is a natural protein fibre that comes from silkworm cocoons. It has been used for centuries for its luxurious texture strength and sheen. Traditional silk production known as sericulture involves harvesting silkworms before they emerge from their cocoons.
Pros: Silk is biodegradable and incredibly durable which means garments made from it last a long time. It is breathable hypoallergenic and has a luxurious texture.
Cons: Silk production uses a lot of water and energy. Traditional methods involve boiling or chemically treating silkworm cocoons which raises ethical concerns.
Ways to Support Improvements: Look for peace silk (Ahimsa silk) which lets silkworms mature and emerge naturally. Support brands that prioritise sustainable and cruelty-free silk production or choose plant-based silk alternatives like soy silk and orange fibre silk.
Learn more about peace silk here
9. Wool
Wool is a natural animal fibre obtained from sheep goats alpacas and other mammals. It has been valued for its warmth and durability for centuries.
Pros: Wool is renewable biodegradable and provides excellent insulation. It is moisture-wicking and naturally resistant to odours.
Cons: Wool production requires a lot of land and water. There are concerns about animal welfare including unethical shearing practices.
Ways to Support Improvements: Look for ethically sourced wool certified by standards like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Support brands committed to humane animal treatment.
Read more about ethical wool production
8. Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides fertilizers or genetically modified seeds making it a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional cotton.
Pros: Organic cotton is softer safer for farmers and better for the environment. It promotes soil health and is biodegradable.
Cons: It still uses a lot of water and since it has lower crop yields it can take up more land.
Ways to Support Improvements: Choose GOTS-certified organic cotton and invest in durable high-quality cotton products.
More on organic cotton farming
7. Lyocell (Including Bamboo Lyocell)
Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fibre made from wood pulp including eucalyptus oak and bamboo. It is produced using a closed-loop system that recycles solvents and water.
Pros: Lyocell is soft breathable and biodegradable. Bamboo lyocell in particular has antibacterial properties moisture-wicking capabilities and durability making it ideal for activewear and undergarments.
Cons: Some production methods use harmful chemical solvents if not properly managed. Certain bamboo fabrics labeled as lyocell may be processed using environmentally harmful methods.
Ways to Support Improvements: Choose TENCEL-certified lyocell to ensure sustainable production and avoid chemically processed bamboo lyocell.
6. Linen
Linen is a natural fibre made from flax plants. It has been used for thousands of years and is known for its durability and breathability.
Pros: Linen uses very little water or pesticides and it is lightweight biodegradable and gets softer with wear.
Cons: Linen wrinkles easily and can be expensive due to labour-intensive production.
Ways to Support Improvements: Choose organic linen and invest in timeless linen garments that last for years.
5. Hemp
Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated plants and is known for its strength and sustainability.
Pros: Hemp grows quickly with little water and no pesticides. It improves soil health absorbs CO2 and is highly durable.
Cons: Hemp fabric has a stiffer texture compared to cotton. It is less widely available and often more expensive.
Ways to Support Improvements: Support hemp-based clothing brands and advocate for policies encouraging industrial hemp farming.
Discover more about hemp textiles
4. Banana Fibre
Banana fibre is extracted from banana plant stalks which would otherwise go to waste. It is a strong biodegradable fabric that is also used in feminine hygiene products due to its high absorbency breathability and antibacterial properties. While newly recognised as a textile resource banana plants are widely available in tropical regions making it a scalable and sustainable option.
Pros: It is a zero-waste textile that is naturally strong breathable and requires little water or pesticides. Its use in hygiene products provides a biodegradable alternative to synthetic materials.
Cons: While banana fibre is widely available supply chains for large-scale textile production are still being developed.
Ways to Support Improvements: Encourage local harvesting of dead banana trees for processing. Support companies that use banana fibre in their products and advocate for better supply chains.
3. Ramie
Ramie is a plant-based fibre that has been cultivated for thousands of years often blended with cotton or wool for added strength. It is one of the oldest textile fibres used in ancient China Egypt and Southeast Asia.
Pros: Ramie is highly durable resistant to bacteria and mold and requires minimal water and pesticides. It gets softer with each wash and is naturally resistant to wrinkles.
Cons: Ramie can be stiff and coarse making it less comfortable in its raw state. It also requires extensive processing to be spun into a fine fabric.
Ways to Support Improvements: Look for ramie blends combined with organic cotton or hemp for a softer feel. Support brands that use ramie from responsibly managed sources.
2. Nettle Fibre
Nettle fibre also known as Himalayan or wild nettle fibre is derived from the stems of nettle plants. It has been used for centuries as a strong breathable alternative to cotton and linen particularly in colder climates where nettle grows abundantly.
Pros: Nettle fibre grows without pesticides requires little water and provides natural insulation making it suitable for all seasons. It is biodegradable and highly durable.
Cons: Nettle fibre is not widely available making it difficult to source on a large scale. Processing nettle fibres is labor-intensive which increases production costs.
Ways to Support Improvements: Increase consumer interest in nettle fibre to drive more brands to invest in its production. Look for artisans and brands that source nettle fibre responsibly and support initiatives promoting sustainable nettle harvesting.
Read about nettle fibre innovations Ramie is a plant-based fibre that has been cultivated for thousands of years and is often blended with cotton or wool for added strength.
1. Piñatex (Pineapple Leaf Fibre)
Piñatex is an innovative textile made from pineapple leaves repurposing agricultural waste into a durable biodegradable alternative to leather. Pineapple plants are widely grown in tropical regions making them an abundant and sustainable resource.
Pros: It is cruelty-free biodegradable and repurposes agricultural byproducts. It provides a vegan-friendly alternative to leather for accessories and outerwear.
Cons: Although pineapple plants are widely grown Piñatex production is still developing and supply chains need to be scaled up for wider accessibility.
Ways to Support Improvements: Encourage the growth of sustainable Piñatex supply chains. Support brands using Piñatex and explore local pineapple farming initiatives contributing to ethical production.
Sustainable fabrics help us make more eco-friendly clothing choices. By learning about different materials and their impact we can support brands that prioritize ethical production. As new innovations emerge the fashion industry can move towards greater sustainability. Choosing biodegradable and responsibly sourced fabrics is a simple yet effective way to reduce waste and lower our environmental impact.
What is your favorite sustainable fabric and why?
References:
- Peace Silk: https://www.peacesilk.com/
- Responsible Wool Standard: https://textileexchange.org/responsible-wool-standard/
- Organic Cotton Farming: https://www.textileexchange.org/organic-cotton/
- TENCEL Lyocell: https://www.tencel.com/
- Hemp Textiles: https://hempfoundation.net/
- Piñatex: https://www.ananas-anam.com/
