Weโve all been there: whether youโre bombarded with ads for clothing sales on social media or you pass by a sale rack at the store, the temptation is real. Itโs hard to turn away from that instant gratification, but itโs important. According to Sustain Your Style, 190,000 tons of textile microplastic fibres end up in our oceans every year. Additionally, textiles make up 5.2% of the waste in our landfills. Today, the average lifetime of a garment is two to three years.
Many donโt realise it, but 60% of our clothing contains plastic microfibres. Itโs hard to believe, but every time you wash a garment made of synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, about 700,000 individual microfibres are released into the water system. These microfibres eventually make it into our oceans. Small organisms ingest the microfibres, and as the food chain continues to do its thing, microplastic is eventually eaten by the fish we eat. Microplastics have now been found in our rivers, lakes, oceans, and even our tap water. Though this issue is too new to know much about the effects of consuming microplastics, one study suggested that microplastics can contain harmful microbes. A study in Singapore found over 400 different types of bacteria on 275 pieces of microplastic.
Understanding natural fibres
Choosing natural materials is a great step towards sustainability. While synthetic fibres are man-made via polymerisation, and often contain plastic, natural fibres come from the earth. Synthetic textiles to avoid include rayon, nylon, polyester, spandex, and modal.
Before plastic came about, natural fibres were the only resources humans used to make clothing. In fact, for thousands of years, we only used natural fibres. So what are they? When flipping through clothing racks, look at the fabric content tags for things like:
Cotton
This is most likely the first fabric that comes to mind when you read natural fibres. Itโs the most widely used today. Youโll often find clothing that has a blend of cotton and other materials. The fibre itself is almost pure cellulose, which is an organic polymer. It grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, like a soft, fluffy white ball. These fibres are then spun into thread or yarn, which are used to make clothing. Cotton plants can be found worldwide in both tropical and subtropical regions, especially in the Americas, India and Egypt.
Linen
Linen is made from the flax plant and is one of the oldest textiles used by humans. Evidence of it dates back to prehistoric Switzerland and ancient Egypt. To turn flax into linen, it goes through retting (a type of fermentation), drying, crushing, and beating. Compared to cotton, it dries faster and is stronger. Fine grades of linen are best for clothing. It is prone to wrinkling and feels cool to the wearer.
Wool
Wool comes from sheep. Just like dogs and cats have fur, sheep are covered in wool. They’re not the only animals that produce wool, camels, goats, and rabbits do too, but sheepโs wool is the most commonly used in clothing. Wool has an elasticity to it, so it can stretch and will shrink when wet.
Silk
Highly breathable and moisture-wicking, silk is a smooth, shiny fabric that does not stretch or pill. It is the strongest natural fabric. Silk is made from the proteins found in the cocoons of silkworms. Domesticated silk originated in China, with China being the largest producer of the material to this day.
Cashmere
This textile is a special type of wool made from cashmere goats. Itโs one of the softest fibres available and is considered a luxury material. The fibres are finer, lighter, and softer than regular sheepโs wool, which is why cashmere garments are often more expensive. Cashmere is also breathable and can last a long time with the right care. Just be sure to hand wash or dry clean it to maintain its softness and shape.
Hemp
Hemp comes from the hemp plant and goes through a very similar process to linen, where its stalks are retted, dried, and crushed. These steps remove the fibre from the wood, and the fibre is then turned into yarn or string. Hemp is naturally a yellow, dark brown, or grey hue. It is not easily bleached, so it is not often dyed.
The DOwnsides of Natural Fibres
Natural fibres arenโt entirely without issue. Though cotton production faces several problems, one of the biggest is water consumption. Globally, the average water footprint of seed cotton is 3,644 cubic metres per ton – roughly 1.5 Olympic swimming pools. Like many other crops, cotton production often uses fertilisers that can impact drinking water. It accounts for 4.7% of global pesticide sales and about 10% of insecticide sales for all crops. Additionally, the cotton industry has a history of forced and child labour, low incomes for small farmers, and price volatility. Luckily, there are sustainable and organic cotton producers who work to address these issues and produce cotton responsibly.
Hereโs the thing: sustainable organic cotton can be expensive. If you want to shop new and have the money, itโs definitely worth supporting. With that in mind, second-hand will always be the best option, both for your wallet and for the planet. By buying something new, you create a demand for more new textiles. When you buy second-hand, youโre taking away that demand by shopping from clothing that already exists. When youโre on the market for something specific, shopping for natural fibres is a great option. If you have the time or just want to browse, second-hand is the most sustainable choice. Consider your local thrift stores, or shopping on reselling sites like Vinted, Poshmark, Mercari, and Depop. Need some tips to get started on your second-hand journey? Make sure to check our guide on five easy ways to find second-hand clothing!
Finally, and most importantly, stay informed on the issue of microplastics in clothing and the importance of natural fibres, and do your best. Going plastic-free is a marathon, not a sprint.
Whatโs your favourite natural material to wear and why? Let us know in the comments!
Ready to act? Sign up for our 30-Day Plastic Free Challenge and get a free calendar packed with simple steps to reduce plastic waste and live more sustainably. Make a difference, one day at a time!
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I appreciate how you provide such clear and actionable advice.