Fabrics that Help to Save the Earth (Part 2)
Welcome back to the last and second part of the series! Do check out our first part here if you haven’t already.
In our last post, we talked about how our wardrobe choices impact the Earth, and how we could reduce the impacts by learning about and purchasing garments that are made of Earth-friendly fabric.
Today we’re going to explore other sustainable fabrics aside from those mentioned in our last post. Read on!
Vegan Silk
Conventional silk is a natural fibre made from boiling the silkworms alive, leaving Animal cruelty aside, the process requires lands for trees to raise the silkworms, plus lots of energy for processing. A highly-coveted fabric for thousands of years, silk has been associated with luxury and sophistication due to its soft and luxurious feel. Unfortunately, silk is an environmentally intensive fabric, and is the second most polluting material after cow leather.
Here’s where vegan silk comes into play. Recent innovations from labs around the world have come up with vegan alternatives to silk, which are not only biodegradable, but replicates the soft, silk-like touch of conventional silk. Here’s a brief overview of the 3 wonderful vegan silk brands that you’d ought to know:the silk woven cocoon. The silkworms are also often fed with growth hormones.
Orange Fiber
Produces sustainable silk-like fabric made from by-products of citrus fruits
Has a patented technology that harnesses cellulose from citrus fruit leftovers, to be transformed into a sustainable, soft, and luxurious silk-like fabric
Like conventional silk, Orange Fiber’s vegan silk can be dyed, printed on, and can be blended with other fabrics, such as cotton!
Qmonos (by Spiber Inc.)
Qmonos fiber is a biosynthetic spider silk made from processed plant-based biomass, spider silk genes, and microbes. And the best part? No spiders are harmed in the process!
Strong and tough, yet a lightweight and flexible fabric. It can even be processed into various forms, like gel, film, powder etc.
Since it is a biobased material, Qmonos is completely biodegradable, and does not leave behind microplastics.
MicroSilk (by Bolt Threads)
A biosynthetic fiber, like Qmonos, that also mimics the feel of spider silk.
The key ingredients for Microsilk are sugar, yeast, water, and DNA samples that mimic spider silk proteins. Hence making them entirely biodegradable!
Strong, durable, insulating, and lightweight, minus the need for actual spiders!
Organic Cotton
Cotton is pretty much used everywhere, from our bedrooms, to our clothes, and to the kitchen. However, the widespread use and farming of ordinary cotton has led to extensive pollution, inhumane treatment of farmers, as well as health-related risks on a societal level.
Photo by @dietitian.mama on Unsplash.
That’s why switching over to organic cotton could help to save the planet and ourselves. Organic cotton is basically cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). In addition, organic cotton is produced strictly according to internationally recognized organic agricultural standards.
Less environmental footprint; as it utilizes a chemical-free production process
Less impact on wildlife
Maintains a safe work environment
Better livelihoods for farmers and populations that surrounds cotton farming and processing plants
Breathable & moisture controlling; perfect for travels as cotton transmits moisture away from the body!
Insulating & comfortable
Hypoallergenic; great for people who are suffering from skin concerns and allergies
Strong and durable. In fact, it’s 30% stronger when it’s wet!
Despite the fact that organic cotton comes with a myriad of benefits, they often come at a premium price point that aren’t considered affordable by many. However, the higher price point is actually an investment where the money goes into safer farming practices, better soil health, water conservation, cleaner air, and overall better livelihood for farmers and their family.
Bamboo Fabric
Bamboo fabric is a natural fiber derived from bamboo pulps. The pulps are then processed into fibers and spun into yarn and fabrics for conventional use. As to why bamboo fabric managed to make it into our list of earth-saving fabrics, it’s because of it’s self-replenishing ability and insanely fast growth rate. Just one acre of bamboo will yield 10 times more than one acre of cotton. Bamboo regenerates on its own after harvesting, and some species could grow up to an astounding 120cm a day! Bamboo makes a sustainable source of fiber as it can be harvested annually for over 20 years.
Photo by Mirko Blicke on Unsplash
Aside from being an exceptionally renewable resource on our planet, bamboo fabric boasts a multitude of benefits, thus it is used everywhere ranging from our clothing, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and everyday products.
Soft and silky, and gets softer with age!
Durable - lasts long even after multiple washings
Sustainable & Biodegradable
Highly absorbent & moisture wicking
Hypoallergenic, antibacterial and antimicrobial - Perfect for those who tend to experience allergic reactions, but also keeps you odor free!
Naturally UV resistant - protect yourself from harmful UV rays while you enjoy the sunshine!
Breathable and thermo-regulating
All of those fabrics we’ve mentioned (Part 1 here) make a great addition to any sustainable fashionista’s wardrobe, not just because of their ecological advantages, but also for their practical use. Making an effort as small as choosing an eco-friendly fabric and supporting a sustainable clothing brand, could collectively lead to a better planet for all of us to live in.
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