What makes fabric sustainable?

In order to find and understand what makes a sustainable fabric, there must be a fine definition of the word sustainable. A fabric that is sustainable, “Is good for the environment, good for society, and makes good money.” (Reformation) What this means is that there aren’t harmful chemicals used to make the fabrics, the fabrics don’t intrude on society such a child or slave labor, and if the fabric is bringing in money that money is used to make more sustainable material or help in other ways.

While looking for sustainable material you must also consider what goes into making the material. There are four things EcoWatch, a certified B corporation that reports on environmental news, says to consider when looking at the production of material:

 Energy- It takes agricultural energy to produce natural fibers and mining or processing for synthetic fabrics. Energy also is needed for production, processing and shipping of the fabric and finished product.

Toxic Chemicals- Pesticides, dyes, and bleaches/chemical processing are used for fibers like bamboo or rayon.

            Land/Natural Resources- Natural fibers can require large areas for production and synthetic ones typically require petrochemicals.

Water- Nearly all fabrics require some water use during production, with cotton requiring the most.

While most textiles on the market have their benefits, there are five materials currently on the market that are considered the most sustainable. These materials are organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, organic wool, and recycled polyester (Sustainable Fashion & Fabrics). To choose one textile we must compare these 5 materials based on how sustainable they are, what the drawbacks of the material are, and how easily are they sourced in the United States.



Sources:

"Reformation." Reformation. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

EcoWatch. "7 Eco-Friendly Fabrics That Will Green Your Wardrobe." EcoWatch. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.