I avoid synthetic fabrics and yarns in favour of natural ones. To be more sustainable, I buy rescued or vintage cotton, linen, and wool wherever possible. My favourite fabric is 100% linen, which got me thinking about cotton versus linen and their environmental impact.
Both these natural fibres are considered eco-friendly, but which one has the edge in terms of environmental impact? Let’s examine both materials more closely to determine their environmental impact.
Cotton: A Staple of the Fashion Industry
Cotton is versatile and prized for its softness and particularity its breathability. However, its cultivation comes with significant environmental drawbacks. Conventional cotton farming relies heavily on pesticides, fertilizers, and intensive irrigation, leading to soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. It’s a thirsty crop, requiring vast quantities of water to grow, exacerbating water supplies in regions where water is generally a problem.
Linen: The Eco-Friendly Alternative
Linen is hard-wearing and improves with wear and washing. Derived from the flax plant, it presents a more sustainable alternative to cotton. Flax requires minimal water and thrives in diverse climates, making cultivating less resource-intensive. Its production also involves fewer chemicals and pesticides than conventional cotton farming, reducing environmental pollution and promoting soil health. Additionally, flax cultivation supports biodiversity and allows for crop rotation practices.
Comparing Environmental Impact
When evaluating the environmental impact of cotton versus linen, several factors come into play:
Water Usage: Linen requires significantly less water than cotton, making it a more water-efficient choice, particularly in regions prone to drought or water scarcity.
Chemical Usage: Cotton cultivation involves heavy pesticide and fertilizer use, which contributes to soil and water pollution. Linen production, on the other hand, typically requires fewer chemicals, promoting healthier ecosystems.
Land Use: Cotton cultivation often leads to land degradation and deforestation, whereas flax cultivation can be less land-intensive. It’s more compatible with sustainable land management practices.
Energy Consumption: The energy required for cotton processing, including spinning, weaving, and dyeing, is generally higher than that required for linen production, which generally involves less energy-intensive processing.
Making Informed Choices
Ultimately, the environmental superiority of both depends on various factors, including cultivation practices, processing methods, and transparency. Organic cotton, grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, offers a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton. Similarly, eco-friendly processing techniques and responsible sourcing practices can enhance the sustainability credentials of both cotton and linen.
Conclusion
While linen boasts several environmental advantages over conventional cotton, the sustainability of each material depends on many factors. Considering the cultivation methods, water usage, chemical inputs, and overall environmental impact of cotton and linen, linen will generally outlast cotton as it is a stronger and more durable fabric.
Compared to synthetic fibres, which release microparticles into our waterways every time they are washed, cotton and linen are both better choices. The best case scenario is to buy organically grown and produced fabric.
The amount of microplastics released during washing and drying –
a) acrylic was the highest, b) followed by polyester and then c) nylon.
