Organic Textiles

Organic Textiles

• Organic textiles have the drawback of breaking down quickly because the natural fibers eventually disintegrate. This is a problem when products are bought to be used for 10+ years, but within a capitalist economy consumers are replacing their products well before they break down. Consumers are throwing away bags, clothes, and other fabrics, so having organic textiles that will breakdown in the landfill end up being beneficial. While synthetics fibers are strong and can be used in products that are used for a long period, they run into a problem when they are thrown away. The synthetic fibers will stay together creating more trash in landfills, and when they do start to degrade they will release the chemicals that were used to produce them.

• 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). Organic Hemp, and Cotton are comparably the most sustainable, and Recycled Polyester gives us a way reuse products that have already been manufactured. In comparing these fabrics I must look at what the drawbacks of the material are, and how easily they are sourced in the United States. 

Sources:

"Sustainable Fashion & Fabrics." Green Choices. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

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