Sustainability Matters focuses on the importance of sustainable business practices. It explores how businesses can make a difference and highlight companies already doing so.
The authors argue that sustainability is a matter of diachronic justice, whose normative core is the long-term preservation of opportunities to live well. This core requires coordination that cannot be achieved through personal efforts alone.
Eco-Friendly Fabrics
The fabric used to make clothing has a direct impact on the environment. Therefore, switching to eco-friendly fabrics is crucial for brands wanting to reduce their negative environmental footprint. Eco-friendly fabrics can be made from various materials, including hemp, organic cotton, wool, and bamboo. They can also be made from recycled materials such as polyester and nylon.
These fabrics are more sustainable than traditional synthetic fibers, requiring less energy and water. In addition, they are often softer and more comfortable against the skin. Eco-friendly fabrics can also be an excellent option for those with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals found in conventional fabrics.
Many online retailers specialize in eco-friendly fabrics, such as Lycra. Many brick-and-mortar fabric stores are also beginning to carry more sustainable materials. In addition, some manufacturers have their own line of eco-friendly fabrics that they use to create their products.
Alternatively, you can search for sustainable fabrics at natural and organic stores or even in the fabrics section of some big box stores. In addition to these stores, some independent fabric shops only sell ethical and eco-friendly fabrics. Finally, check with local charities and second-hand stores, as they often have a range of fabric donations that can be repurposed into new garments.
Organic Fabrics
While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the environmental issues facing our planet, there are many small things that you can do as a consumer to make an impact. By buying sustainable fabrics, for example, you can help to reduce waste and prevent harmful chemicals from entering our ecosystems.
When shopping for eco-friendly fabrics, consider those made with natural and recycled materials. The best option is to find ones that are GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). This means that the fabric meets stringent environmental and original certifications. You can also check for other pertinent certifications like fair trade, which ensures that the farmers who grow the raw materials are paid well and have safe working conditions.
Another excellent choice for sustainable fabrics is cotton, grown using organic methods. This means that it’s water-efficient and doesn’t require the use of pesticides. Organic cotton is softer and more comfortable than conventional cotton, which makes it a popular choice for many consumers.
Organic animal-based fibers like wool and silk are also highly sustainable. They don’t contain synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and they’re generally sourced from animals treated humanely and not subjected to cruelty.
When choosing organic fabric, try to buy local products when possible. This will reduce transportation carbon footprints and limit workers’ exposure to harsh chemical dyes. Buying locally sourced products also supports local businesses and helps create community jobs.
Biodegradable Fabrics
Many sustainable fabrics are designed to biodegrade seamlessly back into the natural world. This reduces the pollution levels caused by the fashion industry, which is second only to the oil industry. The time it takes for an eco-friendly fabric to biodegrade depends on the fibers it is made from and the chemicals used during its textile life cycle.
One of the most popular biodegradable fabrics is rPET (recycled polyester), often used for sustainable activewear brands like Patagonia and Reformation. This fabric can be reused a limited number of times before it loses its elasticity and releases microplastics into the environment. A single laundry load of polyester clothes removes over 700,000 microplastics.
Other sustainable fabrics include bamboo, which requires no fertilizers and can be grown quickly without much water. Flocus makes yarns and fabrics from the fibers of kapok tree pods, using a process that does not harm the trees. Microsilk, made from proteins, can be biodegradable and is a potential alternative to fossil fuel-based polyester. Some companies are making biodegradable fabric right at the production stage, known as closed-loop production.
Choosing the right materials for your company’s clothing or homewares is an easy way to show that you care about sustainability. Clients expect to see a brand take action and are more likely to support a socially responsible business. And employees want to work for a company that cares about its impact on the world.
Sustainable Fabrics
There are a wide variety of sustainable fabrics available that offer style, comfort, and durability. These fabrics can be made from organic cotton, hemp, Tencel, modal, recycled polyester, cork, and other materials that use renewable resources. They are grown and processed using sustainable methods that reduce environmental impact and are often GOTS-certified. Some companies even work with local farmers to ensure their workers are paid somewhat and working safely.
The best way to find ethical and sustainable fabrics is to shop with fabric wholesalers specializing in eco-friendly materials. These businesses stock small quantities of fabrics, starting at just one meter. They can also supply fabric by the roll, ideal for smaller independent fashion labels with limited material left over after their orders are fulfilled.
Some popular sustainable fabrics include lyocell (eucalyptus wood pulp), modal and bamboo linen. These textiles are ideal for drapey, flowing garments. They use a closed-loop production process that uses 99.5% of its water and dissolving agents. This is more sustainable than the standard cellulose-based fabrics like rayon, silk, polyester, and nylon.
The most sustainable fabrics minimize their environmental impact through organic and chemical-free cultivation, recycled and circular manufacturing processes, and sustainable end-of-life prospects. Some of these fabrics include GOTS-certified cotton grown without pesticides and other chemicals and hemp and bamboo fabric, both fast-growing natural fibers that help protect the environment.
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