As the fashion industry is one of the top contributors to environmental pollution, brands must adopt sustainable strategies in the design and production stages. For example, fabrics from renewable and energy-efficient fibers leave a far lower eco-footprint than unsustainable textiles. These fabrics use fewer chemicals, require less water, and release fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Choose Organic
Organic fabrics are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to support a more sustainable fashion industry. They are free of harmful chemicals and are kinder to your skin and the environment.
In addition, they last longer than traditional fabric. This is because they don’t have any of the harsh chemicals that can damage fibers over time. Another reason to choose organic is that they are kinder to the farmers and workers who produce them. Chemical pesticides and herbicides are banned in organic farming, so you can rest assured that the people working on your cotton shirts won’t use any chemicals!
Organic fabrics are also made with fewer resources, leaving a much smaller eco-footprint on the planet. They’re usually made from energy-efficient and sustainably-grown crops, like organic cotton and linen.
Look for Zero Waste
If you want to keep your clothing out of landfill, fashion fabric sourcing from zero-waste materials are the way to go. They are made from recycled materials, meaning they don’t use harmful chemicals or pesticides to produce them. Another benefit of choosing zero-waste fabrics is that they’re incredibly durable and last years. This is particularly useful if you want to resell or give your clothes a second life at online thrift stores, as they will still be in good condition after years of use. Zero-waste fashion designers use smarter yardage utilization when cutting fabric and designing new garments from leftover pieces of fabric. When your pattern pieces are properly placed, this is a fantastic technique to cut down on leftover waste. Upcycling is a growing trend among zero-waste brands, as they can turn old clothes into something else with a lower carbon footprint than buying new ones. They also often produce their clothes made to order, eliminating the overstock problem.
Look for Fair Trade
Using fair trade fabrics is one of the best ways to ensure that the products you buy are ethically sourced and eco-friendly. This is because fair trade labels are certified by third parties who verify that the garments were manufactured in ways that don’t infringe on workers’ rights or environmental standards.
Now, a lot of the biggest corporations in the world are making an effort to buy their goods from fair trade suppliers as well. These companies often do so because they believe that the benefits of fair trade go beyond just ensuring that their employees are paid fair wages. These companies also focus on long-term relationships with their producers, improving efficiencies and increasing market prices. This improves the economy and makes it easier for farmers to sustain their businesses. Another important reason to look for fair trade fabrics is that they help promote sustainable development, protect workers’ rights, and empower marginalized communities. These are the kinds of things that we want to support in our fashion industry and the world as a whole, so it is vital to make an effort to source your products from these kinds of companies.
Look for Recycled
Regarding sustainable fashion fabrics, it’s essential to consider the end-of-life prospects of each fabric you choose. This is especially true of fabrics that require bleaching, coloring with carcinogenic dyes, and chemical processing, all of which can be detrimental to the environment. Recycled fibers have the added benefit of being a source of raw materials for producing new textiles and a great opportunity to create a circular economy. It also allows companies to develop new products without using virgin resources with a significant environmental impact. For example, recycled cotton is a natural and highly sustainable fiber that is produced from post-industrial or post-consumer waste. It is often used in clothing and homewares because it’s soft, breathable, absorbent, lightweight, and easy to wash.
Look for Biodegradable
Biodegradable fabrics are one of the most effective ways to reduce the textile industry‘s environmental impact. They break down naturally by the power of bacteria and fungi in a landfill.
While this sounds great, it is important to note that not all fabrics are biodegradable. Some, like polyester, nylon, elastane, acrylic, polyethylene, and polypropylene, take decades to decompose and produce toxic chemicals as they break down. In addition to affecting the environment, these materials are often left behind in landfills, where they can cause pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This is where it is crucial to look for sustainable fashion fabrics that are made from renewable and biodegradable materials. For example, a company uses cellulose fiber from citrus fruit peels to make vegan, biodegradable, and luxurious silk. It is a closed-loop process that utilizes waste from the world’s largest citrus-fruit industry and has been used in various brands.
