You might think of materials that sound natural like cotton, hemp, or even bamboo, but are they really sustainable?
The most sustainable materials use 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 need to examine some of the most sustainable woven fabrics available to get a clearer picture on the subject.
A timeless garment that we offer in sustainable woven fabric is men's pajamas. On our website El Búho Nocturno, we offer a wide collection of pajamas that you will surely like, whether for their woven fabric, design, or fit.
List of Sustainable Woven Fabrics
Below is the necessary information about some of the most sustainable woven 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 wardrobe. It sounds natural—and it is—but not all cotton is the same. Cotton crops consume water and are prone to pests. Organic cotton doesn’t use pesticides but represents only 0.7% of total cotton production and still doesn’t solve the water usage problem.
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 environmental damage. However, it should be noted that the system is not perfect. Clothes 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 the pajamas made worldwide. It doesn’t break down easily, so it is infinitely recyclable. As an elastic and durable material, recycled nylon is ideal for tight-fitting garments and high-performance sportswear.
However, some environmental production costs cannot yet be avoided, and as a non-natural material, recycled nylon releases pollutant microfibers.
Recycled Polyester
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From Bottles to Fashion
If only all plastic waste could be turned into clothing! Well, with recycled polyester, this is totally possible.
Recycled polyester fiber (rPET) is made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste. It is used in a wide variety of garments, including sports t-shirts, collared shirts, winter jackets, and low-cost pajamas.
However, as with any recycled synthetic material, the environmental cost of processing and the microfibers released during use and washing must be considered.
Linen:
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Natural and Fresh Since 8,000 B.C.
As a natural fiber from the flax plant, linen is biodegradable and has been used for thousands of years. As a plant, flax doesn’t need much water to grow and can thrive even in poor soils. All parts can be used, generating little waste. Linen is often used to make loose, breathable shirts, pants, and dresses; and on special occasions, pajamas. It is lightweight, durable, and resistant to moths and bacteria.
Although not as sustainable as recycled fibers, when considering land and water use, there is no need to worry about microfiber pollution.
Hemp:
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High-Quality Woven Fabric That Grows Like a Weed
Hemp is another natural eco-friendly woven fabric 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 high yields. Hemp material shares 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 U.S., but it is starting to make a comeback.
Fruit Leathers:
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Sweet Alternatives for Vegans
Innovative companies have turned to fruit waste to make everything from shoes to wallets. Based in London, Ananas Anam makes a material called Piñatex from pineapple leaf fiber. Not only are they environmentally sustainable with their “cradle to cradle” approach, but they also support rural farming communities in the Philippines.
In Denmark, The Apple Girl makes Apple Leather using cider and juice product waste. In the Netherlands, Fruitleather Rotterdam’s preferred fruit for their vegan leather is mango.
Wood Pulp Fiber:
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An Ancient Resource Meets New Technology
Companies with new techniques are turning to wood as another plant source for clothing. Some fiber names already common in the market are Tencel™, used to make everything from a kind of denim or jeans to underwear and pajamas, and Burla Viscose, developed as artificial silk.
The companies that make them source and process 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 untreated, it is biodegradable. However, consumers should be cautious, 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, look for bamboo woven fabric that is certified organic, dew-retted, and naturally colored.
We can offer you men’s bamboo pajamas. The softness they provide is incredible—try them because you won’t want any others.
Spider Silk:
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The Sustainable Woven Fabric of the Future?
Although it’s called spider silk, no spiders are harmed in the process. Rather, spiders, with their ability to create super-strong silk without added 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 and bringing spider silk products to market. The Japanese company Spiber partnered with The North Face to create the limited-release Moon Parka in 2019, so from now on, we should pay closer attention to this new woven fabric material.
Everything Bought Secondhand Remains Number One
As great as these sustainable materials sound, the most sustainable material of all is still something you can buy or get secondhand. Material innovation is an important part of the fashion industry’s future, but for the average consumer, the local thrift store remains the most sustainable option.
There is a wealth of information about sustainable woven fabrics and many new companies making extraordinary materials. So next time you need a new garment, look for an eco-friendly option instead of settling for fast fashion.