You can think of natural-sounding materials like cotton, hemp or even bamboo, but are they really sustainable?
The most sustainable materials employ a circular or closed-loop system, recycling waste and putting it back into production. They must be durable, ethical and affordable. Cotton likes to call itself “the fabric of our lives,” but should it be? We must analyze some of the most sustainable fabrics that exist and thus we will be able to have a clearer picture on the subject.
A garment that never goes out of style and that we offer to be made of sustainable woven is men's pajamas. On our website El Búho Nocturno, we offer a wide collection of pajamas that you will surely like. Whether it's for their fabric, design, or fit.
List of Sustainable Fabrics
Below is the necessary information on some of the most sustainable fabrics currently on the market.
Recycled Cotton:
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Making Old Clothes New Again
Used to make everything from t-shirts, pajamas, and even jeans, cotton can be found in almost every closet. It sounds natural, and it is, but not all cotton is created equal. Cotton crops consume water and are prone to pests. Organic cotton does not use pesticides, but it represents only 0.7% of total cotton production and still does not solve the problem of water use.
Through a mechanical process, cotton materials are broken down and then re-spun to make new garments. This saves water and energy, and much of the material has already been dyed, giving you colors with less burden of environmental damage. However, it should be noted that the system is not perfect. Clothing must be collected and processed, and the recycling process can weaken the fibers.
Recycled Nylon:
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A Net Gain?
Nylon is a synthetic fiber found in everything from fishing nets to pantyhose, and of course pajamas made around the world. It does not break down easily, making it infinitely recyclable. As a stretchy and durable material, recycled nylon is ideal for tight-fitting garments and high-performance sportswear.
However, some environmental production costs still cannot be avoided, and as a non-natural material, recycled nylon will remove contaminating microfibers.
Recycled Polyester
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From Bottles To Models
If only you could take all the plastic waste and turn it into clothing! Well, with recycled polyester, this is totally possible now
Recycled polyester fiber (rPET) is made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste. It is used in a wide variety of clothing items, including sports t-shirts, collared shirts, and inexpensive winter jackets and pajamas.
However, as with any recycled synthetic material, the environmental cost of processing and the microfibers released during use and washing must be considered.
Today:
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Natural and Fresh Since 8,000 BC.
As a natural fiber from the flax plant, flax is biodegradable and has been used for thousands of years. As a plant, flax does not need much water to grow and can thrive even in poor soil. All parts can be used, generating little waste. Linen is often used to make loose, breathable shirts, pants, and dresses; and on some special occasions pajamas . It is lightweight, durable and resistant to both moths and bacteria.
Although it is not as sustainable as recycled fibers, when you consider land and water use, there is no need to worry about microfiber contamination.
Hemp:
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High Quality Fabric That Grows Like Weeds
Hemp is another natural ecological woven that has been used for thousands of years due to its durability and tendency to grow almost effortlessly. As a plant, it replenishes the soil, absorbs carbon dioxide, and provides a high yield. Hemp material has many of the same properties as linen: it is biodegradable, lightweight, strong, and naturally antibacterial. Hemp clothing, which can be anything from t-shirts to dress pants, even blocks ultraviolet light.
Hemp has suffered from its association with marijuana in the US, but it is starting to make a comeback.
Fruit Leathers:
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Alternative Sweets for Vegans
Innovative companies have turned to fruit waste to make everything from shoes to handbags. Based in London, Ananas Anam makes a material they called Piñatex from pineapple leaf fiber. Not only are they environmentally sustainable in their “cradle to cradle” approach, but they also support rural farming communities in the Philippines.
In Denmark, The Apple Girl makes Apple Leather using waste from cider and juice products. In the Netherlands, Fruitleather Rotterdam's fruit of choice for its vegan leather is mango.
Wood Pulp Fiber:
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An Old Resource Meets New Technology
Companies with new techniques are turning to wood as another plant source for clothing. Some names of fibers that are already considered common on the market are Tencel™, which is used to make everything from a type of denim or jeans, to intimate clothing and pajamas, and Burla Viscose, developed like artificial silk.
The companies that make them source and process them sustainably, and the results are fully biodegradable.
Bamboo:
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Untapped Sustainability Potential
Many materials are already made from bamboo, and bamboo is a great source because it can be grown quickly and organically, and if left untreated, it is biodegradable. However, consumers should be vigilant, as bamboo products suffer from a lot of greenwashing. Although bamboo can be grown organically, this is not always the case. Most bamboo on the market is chemically processed or uses large amounts of water.
If you want to use bamboo, you need to look for bamboo woven that is certified organic, with dew and in its natural color.
We can offer you bamboo men's pajamas . The softness they provide is incredible, try them because you won't want others.
Spider Silk:
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Sustainable Fabric of the Future?
Although it is called spider silk, no spiders are harmed in the process. Rather, spiders, with their ability to create super-strong silk without the addition of heat, serve as inspiration for this lab-made fiber. The resulting material is incredibly strong and requires very little energy to process. However, the challenge has been scaling up and bringing spider silk products to market. Japanese company Spiber partnered with The North Face to create the limited-release Moon Parka in 2019, so be extra vigilant about this new construction material from now on.
Everything that is bought second-hand is still number one
As cool as these sustainable materials sound, the most sustainable material of all is still something you can buy or get secondhand. Materials innovation is an important part of the fashion industry of the future, but for the average consumer, the local thrift store is still the most sustainable option.
There is a wealth of information on sustainable fabrics and many new companies making amazing materials. So next time you need some new clothing, look for an eco-friendly option instead of settling for fast fashion.