5 Cwtch Lifestyle Sustainable Fabrics
More people are waking up to the fact we can’t keep doing what we’re doing. The consumption of fast fashion has reached a critical point. It’s one of the most polluting industries. We need to purchase less, recycle and repair (read more about celebrating the repair) our clothes. No matter how conscious we are, there will come a time when we need to buy new clothes, underwear, nightwear or bed linen. Here are five eco-friendly, sustainable fabrics to look out for. I guess there will be more in the future as companies look for new ways to produce material with far less impact on the environment.
Synthetic fibres have several problems with using vast amounts of toxic chemicals. The tiny micro-plastics shed from synthetic fibres in the wash, such as polyester, now pollute most waterways worldwide. They also take a long take to break down.
Linen
It’s a fantastic fabric, used for centuries, durable and breathable. Linen is made from flax, an extremely versatile plant that can grow well in poor soil conditions. So go to grow in areas not suitable for food production. The plant doesn’t require pesticides or harmful chemicals; it needs much less water than cotton. Linen is durable; it was wrapped around ancient mummies and still survives today. Linen garments do not need to be replaced as often as other less sustainable alternatives. Also, linen improves with wear and gentle washing with natural laundry soap.
It has been a long time since flax for linen fabric was grown commercially in Wales. However, a research project is underway on the Gower in South Wales – for growing sustainable flax for Welsh Linen Fabric.
Hemp
Hemp (the cannabis plant) is an easy plant to grow. It’s called a weed for a good reason. It can thrive in poor soil, without much water and the need for harmful pesticides. The crop requires much less water than water-intensive crops like cotton. If more hemp were grown instead of cotton, it would relieve the pressure on freshwater globally. But don’t worry, you can’t get high on hemp.
It yields double the amount of fibres than a cotton plant, and its roots benefit the soil, protecting it from erosion. As a result, companies like Levi’s and Patagonia are helping bring hemp fabric back into the mainstream.
Lyocell
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a cellulose made from wood pulp coming from renewable forests. The fibre is completely biodegradable or compostable. Produced using non-toxic chemicals, and the wastewater is then recycled. In addition, washing garments made from lyocell won’t contribute to waterway pollution either—all good news.
Organic Cotton
Standard cotton manufactured for clothes uses vast amounts of water, dangerous pesticides, and chemicals. These harmful chemicals significantly impact water, air and soil quality and the health of the farmers and people growing or living close to these areas. Organic cotton that carries the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) label indicates no toxic chemicals and far less water wasted. Well worth seeking out organic; check the labels.
Wool
This fabric can cause controversy, as highlighted by the intense cruelty the sheep suffered at the hands of some shearers. We can’t always know unless we buy artisan wool; however, wool is sustainable. It’s both renewable and biodegradable. The durability of the wool fabric ensures a longer life, then recycled by various industries into insulation and more. Another point is wool, when washed, won’t release microplastics or other by-products into the world’s waterways.
Start reading labels carefully the next time you go shopping, and choose sustainable fabrics. Catch up to minimizing our environmental impact.
Yarn, the good, the bad and the ugly
