Top 5 Eco-Friendly Fabrics for Your Next Purchase
Do you ever check to see if the items you're buying are made from eco-friendly fabrics? It actually makes sense. If you recycle, buy organic, and are conscious of how much energy you use at home, the next obvious step is to purchase clothing and other goods made from eco-friendly textiles.
The issue at the moment is that there is no true labelling regulation that recognises ecologically friendly fabrics, and things labelled as being manufactured from organic materials are always more expensive. If you know what environmentally friendly fibres to search for, you may avoid paying premium costs while still wearing and using ecologically responsible clothing.
Here are 5 environmentally friendly materials.
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is well-known for being one of the most environmentally friendly materials on the market. It is a fast-growing grass that may be harvested after two or three years, does not require replanting, improves soil quality, and can be cultivated without the use of fertilisers or pesticides. Bamboo grass makes a silky fabric that is ideal for baby clothes, bed linen, and towels. It also absorbs moisture, is hypoallergenic, and anti-bacterial.
There has been some worry about the production process since some ways utilise chemicals to boil the leaves and shoots, and formaldehyde-based glue is occasionally used to bind strips of bamboo together, but there are newer methods that generate organic bamboo textiles without the use of chemicals entirely.
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2. Cork
Cork fabric has made its way from the board and the bottle to our bodies. For good reason, the material has proven popular for vegan purses and shoes. Cork is obtained responsibly from a cork oak (yes, a tree) by simply shaving away the bark. While regrowing the bark, the tree consumes more carbon dioxide than most other species of trees. Cork plantations can therefore operate as a carbon sink.
Once collected (every 9 to 12 years), the cork may be left out in the sun to dry before being transformed into something suited for fashion.
Before we put a cork in it, let us leave you with this: cork is an important part of a unique ecology. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species, and our usage of cork is critical to the survival of that environment.
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3. Jute
Jute is not often used in clothing because of its rough texture, particularly in Western countries. Jute, on the other hand, has cultural importance in India and other South Asian nations for ages and is more widely used as a garment fibre.
Jute cloth was traditionally connected with the lower classes in Indian society, owing to its low cost. Jute cloth was also a key component in the creation of a ghillie suit, which is essentially an outdated military outfit meant to assist snipers blend into the natural terrain.
In many ways, jute is quite good to the environment. The jute plant contributes to air pollution reduction by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Each hectare of jute crops absorbs around 15 tonnes of CO2 and emits 11 tonnes of oxygen.
4. Hemp
Hemp, like bamboo, is regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly materials. It is a high-yielding crop that enhances soil quality and may be cultivated without the use of herbicides or pesticides. It is also incredibly adaptable since the fabric it generates may be tough and sturdy, making it excellent for backpacks, or soft and supple, making it ideal for apparel. It is also said to be anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. Furthermore, the production procedure is simple, requiring no chemicals or high-tech apparatus.
The sole disadvantage of hemp cultivation is the cross-over with marijuana, which is also derived from the hemp plant. It is produced in Asia, Europe, and, shortly, Canada.
Also read: What is a Capsule Wardrobe? 5 ways to build a Sustainable Closet
5. Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is a more environmentally friendly fabric option than ordinary cotton.
Why? Organic cotton is farmed without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or fertilisers that can damage the soil and water systems, as well as harm living species. What's more, guess what?
Organic cotton cultivation eliminates the use of hazardous pesticides and use environmentally friendly farming practises.
Producers of organic cotton fabric also prioritise restoring and preserving soil fertility while using as little natural resources as possible.
Final Thoughts
There are additional ways you can assist lessen the environmental effect of the fashion industry besides purchasing garments produced from eco-friendly textiles.
To begin, caring for your garments will make them last longer. This helps you to save money on new garments while also helping to limit the usage of natural resources. You also generate less garbage that must be recycled, burned, or disposed of in landfills. You may also buy worn garments and recycle or mend broken ones instead of discarding them.
