Which Types of Fabric are Best for the Environment: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Textiles

In a world increasingly concerned with climate change and natural resource depletion, your fabric choices matter more than ever. Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement towards a more responsible way of living. Opting for fabrics that are kind to the environment means you’re not only looking good but also doing good for the planet. So, as you comb through clothing racks or choose fabric for your home sewing, keep an eye out for materials that align with your eco-conscious values.

• Learn more about certifications for fabrics to help you make eco-friendly and ethical choices 

1. Linen

Linen is a natural fiber that is made from the flax plant, which requires fewer pesticides and a lot less water than cotton. This fiber is also biodegradable and extremely durable, meaning that products crafted from linen will usually last longer than those made from other materials. Fewer replacements mean less production and waste.

The process of turning flax into linen is also relatively low impact. Unlike other fibers, minimal chemical processing is required. Flax cultivation can also enhance biodiversity and improve soil health, adding to linen’s green credentials. So when you’re picking out your next garment or set of sheets, considering linen could be a small but meaningful nod towards environmental sustainability.

In terms of laundering, linen often requires less aggressive washing, which contributes to energy savings and reduced water usage. When washed, it performs well at cooler temperatures. This not only conserves energy but also minimizes the fabric’s environmental footprint over time.

2. Organic cotton

Grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic cotton offers a sustainable alternative to conventional cotton. This is significant because conventional cotton farming is often linked with heavy chemical use, which can be harmful to soil and water supplies.

Organic cotton farming involves crop rotation and biological pest control, leading to healthier soil that can support agriculture longer without degrading. This holistically benefits the ecosystem by promoting biodiversity. Moreover, the water consumption in organic cotton farming is generally lower since healthy, organic soil retains water more efficiently.

When you opt for products made from organic cotton, not only are you choosing a high-quality fabric, but you’re also supporting agricultural practices that are more ethical toward the farmers involved. 

You can check for certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) when shopping for organic cotton. This ensures the fabric meets rigorous ecological and social criteria.

3. Lyocell (Tencel) and modal

Lyocell (often known by the brand name Tencel) and Modal are also among your top choices for sustainable fabrics. Both fibers are a type of rayon that re derived from renewable cellulose wood pulp and have gained popularity due to their eco-friendly manufacturing processes and biodegradability.

Lyocell is particularly renowned for its closed-loop production process, which recycles water and solvents. This method minimizes waste and reduces environmental impact, making it a sustainable option for your wardrobe. It is produced using less water and more sustainably sourced wood than other types of rayon (often from eucalyptus trees).

In comparison, modal fabric, which originates from beech trees, is praised for its energy-efficient production process. It’s a variant of rayon, but it is processed using fewer chemicals and is also usually made with a closed loop manufacturing process, making it a better choice for the environment than viscose rayon.

4. Hemp

Cultivated for thousands of years, hemp is not only durable but also gentle on the earth. Hemp needs significantly less water compared to cotton, and is naturally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Like linen, hemp is also an extremely durable fabric, outperforming many other fibers over time.

In the textile industry, using hemp as a raw material leads to more eco-friendly production, minimizing environmental footprints. Thanks to its growth characteristics and minimal processing requirements, hemp fabric has a lower overall ecological impact. 

Beyond clothing, hemp is versatile, often used in producing paper, insulation, building materials, and more. Its wide range of applications underscores its environmental benefits and showcases why hemp is considered an attractive alternative to more conventional, less sustainable materials.

5. 100% recycled fabric

When you choose 100% recycled fabric, you are selecting materials that have a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Recycled fabrics are repurposed from pre- or post-consumer waste, which means you’re not only conserving raw materials but also minimizing the additional energy required for new textile production.

Benefits of 100% Recycled Fabric:

• Reduces Waste: Keeps plastic out of landfills and reduces the demand for virgin resources.
• Saves Energy: Lower energy consumption compared to producing new fibers.
• Conserves Water: Significant water savings, since the textile production process is water-intensive.

Types of Recycled Fabrics:

• Recycled Cotton: Salvaged cotton fabric scraps or cotton waste from the manufacturing process.
• Recycled Polyester (rPET): Made from post-consumer plastic bottles, contributing to less plastic waste.
• Recycled Wool: Reuses wool garments and scraps, eliminating the need for new wool processing.

Remember, the quality of recycled fabrics can vary based on the recycling techniques and the original materials used. Products made from recycled materials are generally free from the environmental burden associated with raw material extraction and initial fiber processing.

Fabrics that did not make this list:

Some types of fabric have a reputation for being environmentally friendly, but don’t quite measure up. These materials aren’t necessarily the worst for the environment, but they’re often greenwashed and don’t quite live up to their potential.

• Viscose Rayon: Although viscose is biodegradable and is derived from wood pulp, viscose rayon is burdensome on the environment due to its chemically intensive production process. It contributes to pollution and can often result in deforestation when not sourced responsibly. In addition, the chemicals involved in the production process are highly dangerous for the workers.
• Bamboo: Bamboo fabric often gets praise for the rapid growth and renewability of the source plant. However, unless it uses modal or lyocell manufacturing methods, converting bamboo into fabric typically involves harmful chemical processes, negating much of its initial green potential.
• Conventional Cotton: While conventional cotton is a staple in textiles, it’s notorious for its water-intensive cultivation. Pesticide use in growing conventional cotton also poses significant environmental and health risks and low income farmers and workers in the conventional cotton industry are often taken advantage of.
• Wool: Wool provides natural warmth and durability but its environmental impact comes from sheep farming which contributes to land degradation, water pollution, and methane emissions. There are also animal welfare issues associated with many different types of wool products.
• Silk: Despite being a natural protein fiber, silk production is resource-heavy, particularly in terms of water and energy use. The traditional silk farming method also raises ethical concerns regarding the treatment of silkworms.

Learn about the types of fabric that are WORST for the environment