2 weeks ago I published a blog looking at the negatives of some materials, and the impact that they can and do have. This week I am going to provide you with some alternatives to these bad materials - no need to dwell on the negatives is there, when we can look at the positives.
Organic Soy
Soy fabric is [namely] grown and made from the soy bean and makes a light and flexible material while also being an absorbent and breathable material. Soy is a natural, raw material and is also cheap to make and when grown on a small scale organically, it has a low impact.
Source: Etsy
Soy fabric is not a synthetically made material and regrows quickly, unlike synthetic materials. AND if all of that wasn't enough benefits, when the material is harvested it is a natural by-product of the extraction of soy oil and soy foods such as tofu - this means that any part of the fibre that is not of high enough quality to use for the material is fed to cattle, this makes soy a ZERO WASTE material.
However, don't get this mixed with non-organic soy which can be genetically grown and uses a lot of water and pesticides when it is grown. So, if you're looking at buying a garment which is made from soy then do make sure it is organic.
Picture Source: PETA UK
Source: The Sustainable Fashion Collective
Hemp
Hemp is grown and made from the fibres and stalks of the Cannabis Sativa plant - but don't worry, no there is no way of getting high from wearing the material, it only contains a very very tiny amount of the high. Hemp has many benefits including:
For every tonne of hemp grown, 1.63 tonnes of CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere;
The stem and leaves are packed with nutrients, so when the leaves fall and decompose they replenish the soil - after it has been harvesting the left over plant can be returned to the soil for a richer yield for the following year. It can return 60-70% of nutrients it takes from the soil;
Hemp is an annually grown crop which grows within 4 months from planting which makes it perfect for rotation - soil is richer, cleaner and a great crop yield when hemp is grown;
It doesn't require any pesticides to grow;
The roots of hemp grow strong and hold together soil to prevent erosion - in some cases it has even restored soil that has already eroded;
Very little water is needed to grow hemp - in fact it uses 50% less than cotton.
Source: Medium
This is not an exhaustive list, with hemp having many other benefits.
Linen
Linen is made from the stems and roots of the flax plant and is known for its durability and ability to absorb water. When the flax plant is grown little to no pesticides and insecticides are used, and A LOT less water is used than conventional cotton - it is also good for soil health. With linen being a durable material it lasts a long time without needing to be replaced or repaired - along with this, it dries super quick! No wonder it is such a popular material to wear on holiday, wear your swimsuit underneath, but will dry quickly!
Source: BBC Earth
Recycled synthetic fibres
"A mere 0.07% of sustainable fibre used as part of the overall synthetic production is equivalent to saving 2.9 billion plastic bottles from landfills" - Textile Exchange posted by DigiFair. Recycled synthetic fibre material can be created by recycled: plastic bottles, tyres and fishing nets which can then be turned into coats, jackets, trainers and more.
Source: Sustain Your Style
One downside to recycled synthetic materials is that when they are washed they still release microfibres which enter into water streams. But if you look at it, this material is made from recycled microfibres, so this can be seen as a cycle. as the fibres are ultimately re-used. IF and when you use a Guppy Bag, this can stop synthetic fibres being released in washing - so if you're using a material made of recycled synthetic fibres, I would definitely recommend purchasing one so that you can reduce your impact.
This is only some of the materials that can be used as an alternative to bad materials. As with my other posts, I will make a part two to this, so that I can provide you with more alternative materials. I would love to know if you have products which are made with sustainable materials - if you look at one of my previous posts on certifications, this can help you to check when a material is guaranteed to be good.
Comments