Style & Fashion

Developments in Eco-Friendly Fabrics

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D o you love styling yourself in the most vibrant fabrics and making a fashion statement everywhere you go? High five, because so do we! Making such a statement shouldn’t come at the cost of damaging the environment though, which is why we have decided to walk you through the developments in the eco-friendly fabrics industry.

Using this guide, you will be able to make informed decisions as a responsible consumer while planning your next shopping escapade. Here are some of the things you should be aware of.

The Perils of the Fashion Industry

Before talking about the eco-friendly elements in fabrics, it’s important to first understand the perils of the fashion industry, which have created conditions that have made the consumption of all sorts of fabrics unsustainable.

Water Pollution and Scarcity

According to estimates, the world’s second-highest water pollution comes from textile dyeing as leftover water from it is drained into water bodies and ditches. In fact, the water used during the process of dyeing can fill up two million Olympic-sized swimming pools annually. The fashion industry is also the second-largest hogger of the world’s water supply.

Moreover, 500,000 tons of microfiber -the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles– are released annually into the ocean when washing clothes. The polyester and other synthetic textiles released through these fibers constitute about 35% of all microplastics in the ocean, which then compose about 31% of all plastic pollution in the ocean.

Air Pollution

As per the UN, the carbon emissions produced by the fashion industry trump those of all maritime shipping and international flights combined. Due to fast fashion and the overproduction of fabric, nearly 85% of textiles are dumped into landfills annually, with a garbage truck full of clothes being burned or dumped there by the second.

Textile factories in China alone produce approximately three billion tons of soot annually by burning coal to generate energy, which puts people at greater risk of heart and respiratory disease. What’s even more worrisome is the fact that most textile factories globally are based in developing countries with insufficient governmental checks in place, hence allowing this environmental abuse to continue.

The Move Towards Eco-Friendliness

Granted that this fashion business hasn’t been fashioned well for the environment, but not all hope is lost yet! Realizing the damage their practices have been causing to our ecosystems, the fashion and textile industries are progressing towards eco-friendly ways that can help satisfy our clothing aesthetics while being sustainable.

In this regard, sustainable fashion has gained popularity through two main ways: focusing on utilizing biodegradable fabrics, and upcycling/recycling apparel.

Biodegradable Fabrics

Opting for fabrics that are biodegradable (thus decomposing naturally and easily) is a great way to ensure eco-friendly fashion. The quantity of chemicals used typically determines how biodegradable the fabric is, whereby chemical use is directly proportional to environmental damage and non-biodegradability.

Environmentally-conscious fashion brands are now using organic fabrics to change the game for the better, which can be broadly divided into four categories:

Sustainable Vegan and Natural Fabrics
Vegan and Synthetic Fabrics
Semi-Synthetic Sustainable Fabrics (mostly vegan)
Natural Animal-Derived Fabrics (sustainability depending on the source).

Among these categories, some of the most notable examples are as follows:

Organic Cotton: Unlike conventional cotton, this is naturally grown without pesticides and chemicals. It also uses 88% less water and 66% less energy than its mainstream counterpart.
Organic Hemp: This ranks one of the highest on our list of eco-friendly fabrics! Along with having a high yield and low water requirement, it’s also healthy for the soil and comes with the added benefit of absorbing carbon dioxide from the air.
Organic-Linen: Just like hemp, linen is very light and breathable. It isn’t high-yielding but is easier to grow because it requires little pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation.
Cork Fabric: Harvested sustainably from a cork oak by merely shaving away its bark, this vegan fabric is super low-maintenance and consumes the carbon dioxide in large quantities during the tree’s regrowth post-harvestation.
Qmonos: This Japanese fabric is completely biodegradable and comes from synthetic spider silk, making it durable yet comfy and lightweight.
Alpaca Wool: Regarded as one of the most eco-friendly and ethical wools, Alpacas share a great relationship with our ecosystems and support local economies!

Upcycling/Recycling Apparel

While the developments in eco-friendly fabrics are appreciable, upcycling/recycling second-hand clothes from your local thrift store is one of the most practical ways an individual can play their part in tackling the environmental harm that fast fashion has already caused. And its affordability makes the whole experience all the more worthwhile, along with making you look super cute!