What Are The Most Eco-Friendly Textiles For Clothing

By Alex Assoune Apr 01, 2024

Eco-friendly fashion is much more than a trend. It's a revolution. The sustainable fashion movement is growing and one of the largest force driving changes in the textile and apparel industry today.

One of the best ways to be more sustainable with clothes is to choose eco-friendly fabrics. Most textiles used in the fashion industry are wasteful and polluting.

Fashion is the second-largest polluting industry globally. It produces high amounts of textile waste, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions. It also consumes lots of natural resources, water, and energy.

Textiles made from animal-derived products or byproducts are cruel and unethical. Fur, leather, down, wool, and silk encourage the exploitation of animals for profits. Let's avoid them as they aren't required to make beautiful and functional clothing.

Luckily, some textiles used in fashion are more ethical and environmentally friendly than others. As consumers, we have the option to reduce the impact of our wardrobe with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics.

Here is a short guide to some of the most eco-friendly textiles used for clothing.

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Cotton

Organic cotton and recycled cotton are a great option for eco-friendly clothing. They are much better than conventional cotton. Organic cotton also includes Fair Trade organic and CmiA organic cotton.
Fabrics qualities:

Soft
Breathable
Strong
Clean

Environmental impact:

Bio-based
Biodegradable
Recyclable
Lower air pollution
Low impact on ecosystems
Natural pesticides and fertilizers

Drawbacks:

More land, water, and energy used
Greenhouse gas emissions
Labor intensive and time-consuming
Lower yield
Expensive

Linen

Organic linen is made from flax plants grown organically. It's a very luxurious and sustainable fabric. But it's rare and expensive, a great choice for high-end garments.

Fabrics qualities:

Luxurious
Comfortable
Durable
Resistant
Lightweight
Versatile
Breathable
Absorbent
Anti-bacterial
Quick-drying

Environmental impact:

Natural and bio-based
Biodegradable
Recyclable
Low water footprint
Natural fertilizers and pesticides
No threat to wildlife

Drawbacks:

Poor elasticity
Costly manufacturing
Very expensive

Jute

Organic jute is a very sustainable material, a great eco-friendly alternative. It's also the longest and one of the cheapest natural fibers. It's the most widely used natural material after cotton for various applications.

Fabrics qualities:

Affordable
Strong
Durable
Breathable
Lightweight

Environmental impact:

Natural and plant-based
Biodegradable and compostable
No waste
Soil fertilizing

Drawbacks:

Rough and harsh on the skin

Hemp

Organic hemp is made from hemp plants. It's one of the most eco-friendly textiles but has a bad reputation since it's often mistaken for cannabis. The stigma around hemp should be lifted to make it more popular.

Fabrics qualities:

Breathable
Durable
Hypoallergenic
Anti-bacterial

Environmental impact:

Natural and bio-based
Biodegradable
Recyclable
Low water footprint
Carbon dioxide absorbent
Contaminant removing

Drawbacks:

Low availability
Bad reputation
Poor elasticity

Ramie

Ramie is made from natural fibers extracted from the ramie plant. It's a strong and very versatile fabric used to create lots of fashion items such as dresses, sweaters, blouses, jeans, jackets, or sportswear.

Fabrics qualities:

Strong
Quick-drying
Anti-bacterial

Environmental impact:

Natural and plant-based
Biodegradable
Recyclable

Drawbacks:

Low flexibility
Rare
Costly cultivation
Expensive

Lyocell

Lyocell is a man-made cellulosic fiber, similar to viscose-rayon, acetate, and modal. It's primarily made from cellulose-based resources such as wood. It's a semi-synthetic fabric and a great alternative to petroleum-based textiles.

Fabrics qualities:

Soft
Breathable
Lightweight
Durable
Anti-bacterial
Moisture-wicking

Environmental impact:

Low impact in closed-loop processes
Eco-friendly with sustainable forest management

Drawbacks:

Complex production
Chemical-intensive
Water and energy-consuming

Cupro

Cupro or cuprammonium rayon is considered semi-synthetic and made from regenerated cellulose. The largest producer of cupro fibers is a Japanese company making textiles from post-industrial cotton waste.

Fabrics qualities:

Cheap substitute
Soft
Lightweight
Breathable
Moisture absorbent

Environmental impact:

Bio-based
Water, waste, and chemicals recovery with closed-loop processes

Drawbacks:

Hazardous production
Energy, water, and chemical-intensive

Polyester

Recycled polyester is a synthetic fabric and a much better option than virgin polyester. It's manufactured from PET bottles, industrial polyester waste, or used garments.

Fabrics qualities:

Cheap
Strong
Durable
Versatile
Resistant
Lightweight
Water-repellant
Quick-drying

Environmental impact:

Low water footprint
Lower energy consumption
Low carbon emissions

Drawbacks:

Microfiber and plastic pollution
Chemical-intensive

Nylon

Recycled nylon or polyamide is a synthetic fiber often used in the fabrication of sportswear and swimwear. It's manufactured from post-consumer and post-industrial wastes, such as fabric scraps, carpet flooring, fishing nets, and industrial plastics from landfills and oceans.

Fabrics qualities:

Soft
Durable
Lightweight
Quick-drying

Environmental impact:

Low water and carbon footprint
Waste-saving

Drawbacks:

Difficult to recycle
Chemical-intensive

Bioplastics

Bioplastics, also known as bio-based plastics, biopolymers, or bio-synthetics are bio-based manufactured fibers made from biological sources such as sugar cane, seaweed, starch, or agricultural wastes.

Fabrics qualities:

Strong
Durable
Lightweight

Environmental impact:

Low water footprint
Bio-based

Drawbacks:

In development
Not recyclable
Chemical-intensive

Elastane

Recycled elastane is a synthetic fiber made from post-industrial spandex or elastane waste, a by-product of the fabric manufacturing process.

Fabrics qualities:

Highly elastic
Versatile
Lightweight

Environmental impact:

Low water footprint

Drawbacks:

Difficult to recycle
Chemical-intensive

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.