Sustainable Fashion Materials: From Recycled Fabrics to Organic Textiles

Sustainable Fashion Materials: From Recycled Fabrics to Organic Textiles

Given the fast-paced fashion cycle and the consumer demand for high-end, on-trend clothing, it is unsurprising that the fashion industry has an extensive carbon footprint. The industry is rapidly evolving to help reduce the environmental impact of fashion and provide consumers with responsible fashion choices. As fashion designers and industry leaders continue to prioritize sustainable fashion innovation, they are focusing heavily on environmentally friendly textiles and eco-friendly materials to create gorgeous garments.

Why Sustainable Materials Matter in Fashion

The fashion industry moves at a rapid pace, with new styles and trends cycling out within a matter of months. Research published in the Science of the Total Environment journal states that fast fashion is primarily responsible for the large carbon footprint of the fashion industry, producing carbon emissions at a rate 11 times higher than the traditional fashion industry. With developed countries leading the way in fast fashion consumption, it’s become clear that sustainable fashion materials are essential to reducing the overall carbon footprint of this industry.

Environmental Impact of Traditional Fabrics

Even traditional fashion fabrics, such as cotton, have a significant impact on the environment. Cotton cultivation, which is required to manufacture cotton clothing, uses more than 200,000 tons of pesticide and 8 million tons of fertilizer each year. In addition, the growing of cotton requires much more water than other non-traditional materials, such as polyester or nylon. Beyond the production of cotton and other traditional fabrics, the manufacturing process to create fashion clothing items requires the use of non-renewable resources, adding to the overall environmental impact of traditional fabrics.

Benefits of Sustainable Alternatives

The benefits of sustainable alternatives and eco-friendly fashion materials are virtually endless. The benefits of organic cotton and other organic textiles include:

  • Reducing pollution in the local environment where the materials are grown or manufactured.
  • Reducing the overall cost of producing fashion products.
  • Appealing to consumers’ needs and preferences, who are more interested in making responsible and sustainable choices than ever before.

Recycled Fabrics in Fashion

Recycled fabrics are becoming more common in the fashion industry, particularly as industry insiders work to reduce the environmental impact of fashion while continuing to provide consumers with the high-quality, trendy fashion items they crave.

Recycled Polyester and Nylon

Polyester and nylon are synthetic fabrics that have long been used in the fashion industry. As the industry continues to evolve and shift its focus toward sustainability, researchers and developers have found that it’s possible to use synthetic waste to create new recycled polyester and nylon materials. There are many benefits to recycled polyester, primarily because the production of this recycled material reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70 percent when compared to the production of virgin polyester.

Upcycled Materials

Upcycled materials have been trending in recent years as well, with many fashion designers looking to reuse vintage clothing styles to create new, fresh looks. Consumers, who have long had an appreciation for nostalgia, are finding that they appreciate clothing items created from upcycled materials as well.

Organic Textiles and Natural Fibers

Organic textiles and natural fibers are being used more frequently in the fashion industry, largely because they can be cultivated and grown in a way that is more environmentally responsible.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton fabrics are those grown and cultivated without chemicals or pesticides. The industry is increasingly using organic cotton fabrics, and sales of products made with organic cotton have increased by more than 20 percent since 2009.

Hemp and Linen

Hemp and linen have long been used as a natural fiber source, and in recent years, environmentally responsible consumers have found that they prefer to purchase products crafted from hemp and linen. As natural fibers, they do not require synthetic chemicals to grow effectively.

Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabric is being heralded by fashion designers across the world not only because of its durability and flexibility, but also because of its sustainable benefits. Bamboo can be grown incredibly rapidly, meeting the needs of the fast fashion industry, yet it does not drain resources like other traditional fashion materials do.

Emerging Sustainable Materials

In addition to focusing on organic fabrics and natural fibers, the fashion industry is also partnering with leading environmental scientists to develop new sustainable materials that can help the industry continue to reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the emerging sustainable materials include:

Tencel (Lyocell)

Tencel, which is the brand name for Lyocell fiber in the United States, is a form of regenerated cellulose fiber. It is a subset of rayon material created from wood pulp, making it a leading sustainable material alternative.

Piñatex (Pineapple Leather)

Leather has long been considered one of the most exclusive and desirable fashion fabrics, but it is also one of the least sustainable traditional fashion materials. Pineapple leather is fashioned from pineapple leaves and wood pulp, making it one of the leading sustainable leather alternatives.

Mycelium (Mushroom Leather)

Mycelium is another one of the top sustainable leather alternatives available today. This material is crafted from fungal biomass, and while it has its limitations when compared to animal leather, it is considered one of the closest comparisons to the material.

Innovations in Biodegradable and Regenerative Fabrics

In addition to organic materials and sustainable material solutions, fashion industry experts have also been relying on innovations in biodegradable and regenerative fabrics to create the apparel people love in a responsible and sustainable way.

Some of the top biodegradable and regenerative fabrics include:

Seaweed and Algae Textiles

Seaweed and algae textiles are created from natural extracts and have shown significant promise in creating environmentally friendly textiles that meet the expectations of consumers who want to invest in high-performing products.

Regenerative Cotton and Wool

Regenerative cotton and wool are natural materials produced in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Regenerative fashion materials rely on the intentional management of an agroecosystem, allowing producers to create these materials in a way that actually improves the local environment.

Challenges and Considerations in Sustainable Material Selection

While it’s become abundantly clear that the fashion industry needs to focus more heavily on sustainable materials in the production of clothing and accessories, fashion designers must be aware of some challenges and considerations.

Cost and Accessibility

Environmentally friendly textiles are produced in a way that minimizes harm to the local ecosystem, but they can be more costly to produce. This means that fashion designers and clothing companies often have to charge more for sustainable fashion items, making it more difficult for the average consumer to make responsible choices when purchasing clothing.

Transparency and Certifications

As the demand for sustainable fashion items continues to rise, fashion industry insiders must be more vigilant about the materials they select. Choosing transparent producers about their processes and having earned certifications proving they are using the most environmentally responsible methods to produce their materials will be essential in the coming years.

Examples of Fashion Brands Leading in Sustainable Materials

These are a few of the fashion brands paving the way forward toward a more environmentally responsible future for the industry:

Patagonia and Recycled Fabrics

Patagonia, which has long been considered one of the leading producers of outdoor apparel, has made a commitment to eliminating the use of virgin materials in its clothing items. Their ultimate goal is to rely solely on recycled and regenerative materials by 2025. When the company released its fall 2024 collection, nearly 99 percent of products were created using recycled materials.

Stella McCartney and Innovative Materials

Stella McCartney is relying on advanced technology and recent innovations to create and utilize new, more sustainable materials. Some innovative materials that the brand is currently using include:

  • Savian, which is a plant-based alternative to animal fur, not only protects the environment but also prevents animal cruelty.
  • Mango materials which transform methane into biodegradable alternatives.
  • VEGEA is one of the most unique sustainable leather alternatives because it is created from grapes.

Outerknown and Organic Textiles

Outerknown is a Regenerative Organic Certified® company that relies solely on regenerative farming techniques to create high-quality, long-lasting cotton products. Its farming practices improve conditions for farmers, improve the health of the soil and promote animal welfare.

Explore the Environmental Impact of Fashion at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

Eco-friendly materials are expected to become the norm in the coming years, requiring the fashion industry to shift and evolve to meet the demands of these changing times. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design degree as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design degree that allows you to explore sustainable fashion innovation and develop the creative, artistic and technical skills required to succeed in the modern fashion industry. Request more information about our fine arts degree programs today.

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