How to Choose Fabrics for ESG

When clothes are necessary for human-being, clothes bringing harm to mother earth are unnecessary. When choosing clothing or other products, it's important to consider the environmental impact of the materials used and to choose products made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials whenever possible. Let’s have a look at which common fabric types are preferred in terms of environmental protection.

Cotton VS Organic Cotton & Upcycled Cotton

Cotton is a popular fabric that is used extensively in the fashion industry. However, conventional cotton farming requires large amounts of water and pesticides that can harm the environment. Thus organic cotton is preferred over conventional cotton because it is grown without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. Another choice is upcycled cotton which is re-processed from other cotton products.

Natural Fibers Consuming Less Water and Pesticides

Both Hemp and linen are considered more eco-friendly fabrics. Hemp is a versatile and durable fabric while linen is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. They both require less water and pesticides to grow than conventional cotton. They are also biodegradable and can be recycled. However, they are less wrinkle resistant. Buyers must take care of them with more patience and techniques.

Tencel modal and Lyocell are fabrics made from sustainable wood pulp. It is produced using a closed-loop manufacturing process that recycles water and solvents, making it an eco-friendly option.

Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that requires less water and pesticides to grow than cotton. It can be made into a soft and breathable fabric that is biodegradable and recyclable.

Polyester VS Recycled Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is commonly used in clothing and accessories. It is durable, easy to maintain, moisture-wicking and affordable. However, it is derived from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. To get the benefits of polyester but harm minimized, recycled polyester is considered an eco-friendly choice. Recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic bottles and other recycled materials, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Coolmax

COOLMAX is a specially engineered type of polyester which consists of fibers that are carefully engineered to wick moisture and allow the passage of heat.

The LYCRA Company has converted over 60% of our COOLMAX® technologies to EcoMade versions using recycled content, and it will grow to more than 80% by 2025. Best of all, these sustainable fibers deliver comparable performance to the original virgin fibers they have replaced.