First, we need to ask where the material came from. Does it come from stripping raw materials, destroying agriculture and farming practices, or does it come from animals? Or are the materials sustainably grown or recycled? We will first explain how to define sustainable fabrics, then discuss where to find sustainable fabric suppliers and how to tell if they are legitimate.. Then we'll discuss some of the most sustainable and least sustainable fabrics.
If you care about sustainable fashion, you will be aware of some of the above, as well as the importance of sustainably manufactured and sourced fabrics. Custom fashion swimwear.
What's in the label? What do we look for when we choose sustainable fabrics? Whether you're a clothing manufacturer or a fashion lover who doesn't like fashion influences, choosing more sustainable fabrics is one area where our choices can have a tangible impact on the well-being of people, the planet and animals.
But there's a lot of debate about which fabric is better. Does plant-based always equal good and synthetic equals bad? What new and innovative materials are supporting their claims with evidence? Let's take a quick look.
Organic hemp
Cannabis is a versatile plant that can be used to make anything from food and building materials to cosmetics and fabrics. It is actually one of the oldest fibers used in clothing, having been used for hundreds of years due to its four-season suitability and ability to get softer with washing. If cannabis is grown organically, without the help of chemicals to speed up the process, then it is a truly sustainable fabric.
Organic cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber and one of the most common fabrics, but often it can cause a lot of problems. It is water-intensive and chemical-intensive, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Organic cotton is grown in a way that does not use pesticides or chemicals, making it more environmentally friendly than regular cotton. You can double check if your cotton is organic by checking to see if it is GOTS certified. If you want to go further, recycled cotton is a more sustainable option.
Recycle
Cotton is one of the most common fabrics in the world. Light and breathable, this plant fiber is a wardrobe staple. But growing cotton can be problematic: conventional cotton is one of the most demanding chemicals to grow. It requires a lot of pesticides, so it can harm the planet and the people who grow it.
Organic cotton can be a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton and has been booming in recent years. In theory, it aims to minimize the environmental impact of cotton production by trying to remove harmful pesticides and other chemicals from the production process. GOTS certified cotton is often the preferred recommendation for consciously grown cotton, which is gentler to the earth and the people who created it.
ECONYL
Another recycled material to consider is ECONYL. Synthetic waste from recycling, such as industrial plastics, waste fabrics and fishing nets in the ocean. Although the ECONYL yarn comes from recycled materials, it is said to be of the same quality as the original nylon yarn. ECONYL manufacturing uses less water and produces less waste than conventional nylon yarn manufacturing. In the manufacturing process of ECONYL, waste is collected, cleaned and minced and then depolymerized to extract the raw material called caprolactam. Caprolactam is then repolymerized and converted to ECONYL yarn.
Recycled polyester
Single-use plastics are clearly wreaking havoc on our environment, and many brands have come up with ways to give landfill bags, bottles and textiles a new lease of life.
Recycled polyester (just like its original polyester) is super versatile and can take many different feel and function forms. Recycled polyester can be used to make sustainable wool from lightweight, stretchy ethical sportswear to thick, fluffy wool.
Sustainable fashion brands have been using them for years.
Here are some things to look for on clothing labels as you try to shop sustainably:
You've almost certainly seen the Fairtrade Mark logo before, which appears on product labels to indicate who made your clothing and that it meets Fairtrade standards. Standards focus on ensuring fair trade terms, good prices and longer lead times for workers and producers.
Certified Cradle to Cradle® is an eco-label that allows fabric or apparel products to receive basic, silver, gold or platinum level certification based on efforts in areas such as eco-materials, social responsibility, water conservation, renewable energy and recycling.
The Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) are developed by leading standards bodies to unify existing standards in the field of sustainable textile processing. The standard looks at all stages of fabric making, including the collection of raw materials, the manufacturing process and responsible labeling.
The Green Manufacturing label certifies that products are produced in factories that respect the environment and the universal rights of workers. This helps consumers know exactly where their fabrics and clothes come from.
If you're looking for the right eco-friendly swimwear manufacturers for your niche market, Welonswimwear has excellent quality control and is environmentally conscious.
The International Oeko-Tex Association tests textiles for hazardous substances and provides certification for textiles that do not use hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process.
