Image Source
The word “sustainability” has been creating a lot of buzz as of late; it is a word that made many people looking for means to be greener. Although many people are aware of the impact that fast fashion is having on the environment, there are still some individuals that aren’t. Then, on the other hand, you have those individuals that are aware but just aren’t willing to take the time to change. Well, the truth of the matter is that changes need to happen. Not only do they need to happen, but they need to happen quickly because today’s world is currently consuming 40 percent more resources than the Earth can produce. Couple this with the overflowing dumps and pollution problems and it won’t be long before the Earth is all used up.
That aside, sustainability is a good start and it is something that starts with using the right materials in the right industries. The right industries would be the fashion industries and the right materials would be the one that you are going to find below.
The first sustainable material worth mentioning is linen. It is not only one that is sustainable, but it is one with the capabilities of lasting years and years longer than today’s traditional materials. While it is one that has been used in fashion for thousands of years, it is not one that the fashion industry has been fully taking advantage of. This natural fiber is one that comes from the flax plant and only takes months to grow. In a few short months, the fibers are treated then processed until they are soft enough to be woven into clothing. Some of the best things about this plant are that it grows extremely quickly, it can be grown in a wide range of climates, and it doesn’t need pesticides for growth.
Cotton really is a tricky material due to the growing process. Most people don’t know it, but it literally takes 20,000 liters of water to produce one pair of jeans and a single t-shirt. 20,000 liters would be equivalent to that of someone drinking 8 ounces of water a day for 13 years. That’s a lot of water for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. However, there is such a thing known as organic cotton, and it can help reduce the consumption of water.
Organic cotton is grown using specific methods like closed-loop water systems. These systems not only use less water, but they don’t incorporate any pesticides into their growth. These materials could completely change the fashion world as you know it. This method is extremely similar to that of the TENCEL extraction method. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are extracted from sustainability grown wood using a closed-loop system as well. A closed-loop system that recovers and reuses the solvents required for the process, greatly reducing the environmental in the process.
It goes without saying that wool and cashmere both create their own unique problems in the fashion industry. This is a major problem because these materials are highly sought after for many of today’s fashion trends. Not only this, but there are some ethical growing companies out there. When these materials are not blended with plastic-based fibers they can be biodegradable. If fashion companies use materials like this as well as making sure they are shopping from companies that ensure ethical treatments of wool-producing animals, it’ll go a long way to helping the fashion industry reduce its overall carbon footprint. It should also be known that there are a lot of higher emissions associated with cultivating wool as compared to producing plant-based materials.