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Eco-friendly materials for clothing are in high demand from environmentally conscious consumers, so why isn’t this a more widespread practice in the sector? The culprit is fast fashion. Fast-moving apparel companies rely on low-cost synthetic materials from manufacturers to keep up with demand. 

Although fashion trends are always changing, it’s occasionally a good idea to look at the labels on those clothes. Being conscious of your sourcing and being able to distinguish between sustainable and non-sustainable fashion materials is the first step towards addressing the rapid fashion problem. Fortunately, we can assist you with getting started! Join us as we explore the top 12 eco-friendly clothing materials.

What are Sustainable Fashion Materials?

Do you know what an eco-friendly material is? Eco-friendly fabrics, another name for sustainable apparel materials, are textiles made from environmentally favorable resources. These resources include recycled fabrics or fiber crops farmed responsibly. But these materials’ sustainability goes beyond where they come from. The sustainability of these materials is also greatly impacted by the manufacturing procedures used to create wearable garments. For a material to be considered fully sustainable, it must undergo minimum environmental impact during every stage of production, from growth and harvesting to spinning and dying. Adopting these eco-friendly materials is essential to encouraging fashion to move toward a more sustainable future.

Key Features of an Eco-friendly Fabric

Below is a list of an environmentally friendly clothing material’s salient characteristics.

  • Organic and Natural Fibers:The majority of environmentally friendly textiles are made from fibers that are obtained from organic or natural sources. Examples of these sources include organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo fabric, which are produced without the use of chemicals or pesticides. 
  • Recycled MaterialsUsing recycled materials can help reduce the environmental impact by preventing the abuse of natural resources, such as recycled fabric clothing, polyester and plastic bottles. 
  • Low-Impact colors:To help with cleaning and reduce pollution, use natural colors or low-temperature processing techniques rather than contaminating water streams. 
  • Recycled MaterialsUsing recycled materials can help reduce the environmental impact by preventing the abuse of natural resources, such as recycled fabric clothing, polyester and plastic bottles. 
  • Biodegradability: Eco-friendly textiles are designed to break down naturally over time, minimizing waste in landfills and promoting a sustainable end-of-life cycle. 
  • Recycled MaterialsUsing recycled materials can help reduce the environmental impact by preventing the abuse of natural resources, such as recycled fabric clothing, polyester and plastic bottles. 
  • Low Energy Consumption: Eco-friendly textiles often use less energy during their production processes. The minimal carbon footprint associated with the fabrication of textiles can therefore be attributed to the technique. 
  • Social ResponsibilityThe majority of sustainable textiles are linked to equitable employment policies that ensure safe working conditions and a livable wage for those employed along the supply chain.
  • Renewable ResourcesSustainable wood pulp is the source of materials used to make environmentally friendly clothing, such as Tencel. As a result, attention is being paid to environmental factors.

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