More sustainable fabrics
Commonly used
Organic Cotton
grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
Avoids GMOs
Organic farming improve soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and use crop rotation to keep the soil healthy
Uses less water compared to conventional cotton because it is typically grown in rain-fed areas rather than relying on extensive irrigation
Recycled Polyester
Recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic waste, such as PET bottles, which helps divert plastic from landfills and the ocean.
Producing recycled polyester requires 30-50% less energy than virgin polyester, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the demand for petroleum, which is the raw material for virgin polyester.
While recycled polyester still sheds microplastics, its overall environmental footprint is lower compared to virgin polyester.
Linen (Flax)
Linen is made from the flax plant, which is resilient and can grow in poor soil conditions that are not suitable for many other crops.
Flax requires minimal water and can often rely on natural rainfall, reducing the need for irrigation.
The production of linen involves fewer chemicals compared to cotton and can be processed mechanically rather than chemically.
Highly durable, meaning garments made from linen can last for many years, reducing the need for frequent replacement and decreasing overall consumption.
Tencel (Lyocell)
Tencel is produced from sustainably harvested wood pulp, primarily from eucalyptus, beech, and spruce trees.
The production process uses a closed-loop system that recycles water and solvents, minimizing waste and emissions. The solvent used in the process is non-toxic and 99.5% of it is recovered and reused.
Tencel fibers are biodegradable and compostable, reducing landfill waste at the end of their life cycle.
The wood sources are often certified by sustainable forestry programs such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Hemp
requires very little water and no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making it a low-impact crop
one of the fastest-growing plants, can reach maturity in just 3-4 months
Hemp's deep roots help to prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil
the plant also absorbs significant amounts of CO2, contributing to carbon sequestration.
Almost all parts of the hemp plant can be used, resulting in minimal waste.
Relatively new to the Industry
Econyl
Econyl is a regenerated nylon made from waste materials such as discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic.
This process helps to clean up the environment by collecting waste that would otherwise pollute the ocean and landfills.
The production of Econyl uses less water and emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional nylon production.
It also promotes a circular economy by enabling the same material to be recycled and reused multiple times without losing quality.
Pinatex
Piñatex is made from the fibers of pineapple leaves, which are a byproduct of the pineapple industry.
This innovative use of agricultural waste provides an additional income stream for pineapple farmers and reduces the environmental impact associated with waste disposal.
The production of Piñatex is less resource-intensive compared to traditional leather, requiring no additional land, water, fertilizers, or pesticides.
It avoids the harmful chemicals used in conventional leather tanning processes.
Cork
Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, which regenerate their bark every 9-12 years without harming the tree.
This process allows the tree to continue living and absorbing CO2 throughout its long life span, often over 200 years.
Cork oak forests support biodiversity and act as important carbon sinks.
Harvesting cork provides economic value to these forests, encouraging their preservation and preventing deforestation.
Cork is biodegradable and recyclable.
Qmilch (Milk Fiber)
Qmilch is made from casein protein found in surplus or waste milk that would otherwise be discarded.
This innovative use of waste material reduces food waste and provides a sustainable alternative to traditional fibers.
The production of Qmilch requires less water and energy compared to conventional fibers and involves fewer chemicals.
The resulting fabric is biodegradable and has properties similar to wool and silk.
Soy Silk
Soy silk is made from the byproducts of soybean processing, such as the hulls and proteins that are left over after the beans are used for food products.
This repurposing of agricultural waste reduces overall waste and provides a sustainable alternative to conventional silk.
The production of soy silk requires fewer resources and chemicals compared to traditional silk production, which involves intensive labor and the killing of silkworms.
Soy silk is biodegradable and has a soft, luxurious feel similar to natural silk.
Orange Fiber
Orange Fiber is derived from citrus juice byproducts, such as the peels and pulp left over after juice extraction.
This process utilizes waste from the food industry, reducing the environmental impact associated with waste disposal.
Orange Fiber production is less resource-intensive and uses environmentally friendly processes.
The fabric is biodegradable and provides a sustainable alternative to traditional silk.
Emerging Innovations
Mushroom Leather (Mycelium Leather)
Made from the root structure of mushrooms, known as mycelium.
The production process involves growing mycelium in controlled environments using agricultural waste products, which mycelium naturally breaks down, converting them into a fibrous material. This process is relatively fast, typically taking a few weeks.
Mycelium leather production uses significantly less water, land, and energy compared to traditional leather.
Avoids the harmful chemicals used in conventional leather tanning, such as chromium.
Mycelium leather is biodegradable, reducing the long-term environmental impact at the end of its lifecycle.
Spider Silk
Spider silk is a biomaterial produced using synthetic biology. The silk proteins are typically produced by genetically engineered microbes, such as bacteria, yeast, or even plants, which are then harvested and spun into fibers.
Producing spider silk in this manner avoids the use of petroleum-based materials, reduces reliance on agricultural land, and minimizes water and chemical use compared to traditional silk farming.
Spider silk is biodegradable and can decompose naturally, reducing environmental pollution.
Apple Leather (AppleSkin)
Made from apple waste, such as cores and peels, left over from the juice industry. This byproduct is processed and combined with polyurethane to create a durable leather-like material.
Utilizes agricultural waste, reducing overall waste and creating a valuable product from what would otherwise be discarded. The production process uses less water and fewer chemicals compared to traditional leather tanning.
Depending on the composition, apple leather can be partially biodegradable.
SeaCell
Made from a blend of cellulose (usually Lyocell) and seaweed. The seaweed is harvested sustainably and processed in a way that retains its beneficial properties.
The production process is eco-friendly, using a closed-loop system similar to that of Tencel.
Seaweed is a renewable resource that does not require fresh water or pesticides to grow.
SeaCell fabric is biodegradable and compostable.
Cactus Leather (Desserto)
Made from the Nopal cactus, which is known for its low water requirements. The cactus pads are harvested, cleaned, and processed into a leather-like material.
Cacti grow in arid regions with minimal water, reducing the environmental footprint. The production process avoids toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
Cactus leather is partially biodegradable, depending on the binders and additives used.
Coffee Ground Fabric
Made by recycling used coffee grounds, which are combined with polymer fibers to create yarn.
The coffee grounds provide natural odor control and UV protection.
Utilizes waste from the coffee industry, reducing landfill waste. The production process is relatively low-impact.
The fabric itself is not fully biodegradable due to the polymer content, but it does help reduce waste.
