We have created a sustainable fibres guide for you.
For this guide, we have used sources such as Sustain Your Style, the MADE-BY Fibres Environmental Benchmark, Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber Market Report.
Recycled Polyester
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- Made of wastes
- No GMO
- No Soil Eroosion
Recycled polyester, often called rPet, is made from recycled plastic bottles. It is a great way to divert plastic from our landfills. The production of recycled polyester requires far fewer resources than that of new fibers and generates fewer CO2 emissions.
There are 2 ways to recycle polyester: For mechanical recycling, plastic is melted to make new yarn. This process can only be done a few times before the fiber loses its quality. Chemical recycling involves breaking down the plastic molecules and reforming them into yarn. This process maintains the quality of the original fiber and allows the material to be recycled infinitely, but it is more expensive.
Recycled polyester is definitely a sustainable option for our wardrobe. However, we need to be aware that it is still non-biodegradable and takes years to disappear once thrown away.
Recycled Cotton
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- Made of wasted
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
Recycled cotton prevents additional textile waste and requires far fewer resources than conventional or organic cotton. This makes it a great sustainable option.
Cotton can be recycled using old garments or textile leftovers. The quality of the cotton may be lower than of new cotton. Recycled cotton is therefore usually blended with new cotton.
The production of recycled cotton is still very limited.
Organic Cotton
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
The fabric has the same quality as conventional cotton but not the negative impact on the environment. Organic cotton addresses most of the environmental challenges which conventional cotton production faces.
It is grown from non-GMO seeds and without the use of pesticide, insecticide or fertilizer. Unlike conventional cotton, organic farmers use ancestral farming methods, including crop-rotation, mixed farming or no-till farming to preserve the soil. Organic cotton uses up to 71% less water than conventional cotton according to some sources.
Organic cotton farmers are not exposed to harmful substances.
Several organizations have established certifications for organic cotton such as GOTS, USDA-NOP, Organic Content Standards, IVN and Naturland. Certification is the only proof that a product is truly organic.
Linen
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
Linen is a natural fiber which stems from the flax plant. It uses considerably fewer resources than cotton or polyester (such as water, energy, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers).
Flax can grow in poor soil which is not used for food production. In some cases, it can even rehabilitate polluted soil. Flax plants also have a high rate of carbon absorption.
For these reasons, we consider linen to be a sustainable material, even when it is not organically grown.
Alpaca
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
Alpaca fiber comes from the fleece of the animal bearing the same name. Alpacas are mainly bred in the Peruvian Andes. Alpacas are much more eco-friendly than cashmere goats, because they cut the grass they eat instead of pulling it out, which allows for the grass to keep growing. Additionally, Alpacas have soft padding under their feet, which is more gentle for the soil than goat or sheep hooves.
They need very little water and food to survive and produce enough wool for 4 or 5 sweaters per year while a goat needs 4 years to produce just one cashmere sweater.
Finally, buying alpaca supports indigenous communities in Peru who often live under the poverty line.
Silk
- Low energy need
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
Silk is a protein fiber spun by silkworms and is a renewable resource. Silk is also biodegradable. For these reasons, we consider silk a sustainable fiber. However, chemicals are used to produce conventional silk, so we will always consider organic silk to be a better option.
Because conventional silk production kills the silkworm, animal rights advocates prefer “Peace Silk”, Tussah, Ahimsa silks which allow the moth to evacuate the cocoon before it is boiled to produce silk.
Sustainable Wool
- Low water need
- Low energy need
- From renewable resource
- Chemicals control
- No GMO
- No Soil Erosion
- Biodegradable
Conventional wool is far from being as eco-friendly as we would expect. However, there are some sustainable wool options on the market which make it possible for us to dress warmly and sustainably.
So far, we have found the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which ensures that farms use best practices to protect the land, and treat the animal decently.
Certified organic wool guarantees that pesticides and parasiticides are not used on the pastureland or on the sheep themselves, and that good cultural and management practices of livestock are used. Certified organic wool is still pretty rare on the market. GOTS seems to be the only organization certifying organic wool.
Shop our sustainable choices.