When it comes to shopping for clothes, you may not pay much attention to the different type of fabrics on offer.
Style, patterns, fit and colour will usually be the deciding factors – and as long as the material is comfortable, fits OK and doesn’t look flimsy, that’s all that really matters. Or is it?
In today’s climate, with an estimated £140 million worth of clothing sent to UK landfills each year, it’s more than time we became more mindful about our fashion textile choices.
Especially as 2018 research carried out by the Oslo Metropolitan University and the Queensland University of Technology, revealed that fashion is the cause of 3-6.7% of human-caused carbon emissions.
From production to aftercare, our material choices carry weight. And with the monster that is fast fashion, this burden is becoming too much to bear.
Trend cycles change overnight. Items are made at record speeds, and our relationships with these items are whirlwinds. This means more and more clothing is made, which we buy but then dispose of in higher quantities.
So, how do we change as consumers?
Well, one way is to be aware of fabric choices. While there is no such thing as a truly sustainable material, some options significantly decrease fashion’s environmental impact.
To help you make more informed decisions on your next shopping trip, we have put together a list of fabrics to both avoid and embrace as we move towards a more sustainable future.
Take one look item tags and polyester will be one of the most common forms of garment construction. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most harmful. Partially derived from oil, polyester is non-biodegradable, meaning it may take anywhere from 20 to 200 years to break down once put into a landfill.
Meanwhile, a significant amount of water is used in its production and in areas where water scarcity is a problem, this can affect water access. In addition, polyester releases microplastics when worn and when washed. These cause significant pollution and are harmful to marine life when ingested.
Commonly used in everything from clothing to interiors, cotton is known as a breathable and comfortable material. Although it is a naturally occurring fibre, its production poses a risk to the environment.
Making one cotton t-shirt and one pair of jeans can use upwards of 20,000 litres of water. This water is then contaminated with chemicals and dyes. Much of this waste is then disposed of in waterways, further polluting our natural reservoirs.
Rayon (or viscose) is often heralded as a better alternative to cotton and polyester. However, this is not entirely correct. Biodegradable, rayon is made by dissolving cellulose into a chemical solution and spinning it into threads.
This is all well and good, but the way rayon is manufactured can harm workers and our environment.
Rayon is used in fast fashion manufacturing and consumes a large amount of water, energy, and chemicals. Like in cotton production, the remains of this action pollute water and the air.
Acrylic is utilised in the formation of clothes that provide warmth – think gloves, hats and jumpers. Yet, its impact will not give you a fuzzy feeling.
Unsustainable, acrylic is non-biodegradable and can take up to 200 years for the textile to disintegrate. Furthermore, its production is highly energy-intensive, with toxic chemicals required.
Used in tights and stockings, nylon is not biodegradable and can lie in landfills for hundreds of years once disposed of. Now think of how many times you have snagged or torn a pair of tights and subsequently threw away or replaced – the numbers start to add up.
In part obtained from coal and petroleum, its construction also creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
While conventional cotton is a firm no in sustainability terms, organic or recycled cotton is a yes. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials with a low impact on our environment.
Its manufacturing systems replenish and maintain soil fertility while reducing pesticides and fertilisers and helps to build biologically diverse agriculture.
Recycled cotton is made using post-industrial and post-consumer waste. It uses far less water and energy to produce and is one of the most sustainable ways to wear cotton.
Tencel is a relatively new material but is widely used by brands like Arket and Marks & Spencers. Derived from plant materials, it is biodegradable and uses only one-third of the water needed to produce rayon.
Although expensive, Tencel is long-lasting and worth the investment.
Recycled polyester is produced from plastic bottles and means less harmful plastics will go to our landfills. It requires far fewer resources in production (35% less water) and creates less CO2 emissions. A t-shirt made from 100% polyester can be recycled several times before the fabric becomes unusable, making it a genuinely reusable material.
Nevertheless, rPet is non-biodegradable and releases microplastics when washed. A way to counteract this is by washing your items less or using a washing bag.
Synonymous with summer, linen is a cool and lightweight fabric. Even better, it requires little water and no chemicals and is entirely biodegradable when undyed. Made from the flax plant, which is widely available, linen is high yielding. Plus, it looks incredibly chic too.
Man shares ingenious items his wife takes on holiday that 'just make sense'
What’s in the Middle of Lidl this week? Top picks from the middle aisle
What are Aldi's Specialbuys this week? Top picks from the middle aisle
Can’t afford a Dyson Airwrap? A Remington option is hailed as a ‘life changer’
Created by Italian firm Aquafil, ECONYL uses synthetic waste such as industrial plastic, waste fabric, and fishing nets from oceans and makes them into a new, more sustainable nylon yarn. Used by brands such as Stella McCartney, the waste is gathered, cleaned and shredded and depolymerised to extract nylon.
It is then polymerised and transformed into yarn and re-commercialised into textile products. ECONYL is a brilliant way to replace virgin nylon, but it must be noted that microfibres are released when washed.
However, harm can be significantly reduced by using a wash bag or placing a filter in your washing machine.
During COP26 and beyond, we will be sharing stories, ideas, and advice about one common theme: The climate crisis.
At a time when the weight of environmental issues feels very heavy and overwhelming, our aim is to deliver content that will not only inform and educate but also offer hope and inspiration.
Here are some of our #Just1Change highlights so far:
Do you have a story to share?
Send us an email at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk
MORE : Where to buy eco-friendly homeware and furniture
MORE : Best eco-friendly activewear from recycled anti-blister socks to period leggings
MORE : Six eco-friendly cleaning products with recycled packaging for your home
During COP26 and beyond, we will be sharing stories, ideas, and advice about one common theme: The climate crisis.
At a time when the weight of environmental issues feels very heavy and overwhelming, our aim is to deliver content that will not only inform and educate but also offer hope and inspiration.
Here are some of our #Just1Change highlights so far:
Get us in your feed