It’s easy to get confused by the terminology used when talking about fashion industry. Although, fashion is one of the most problem causing industries in the world, there are more and more innovative alternatives which are going to be used in the upcoming years.
Here are the terms you need to be aware of when talking about more sustainable options:
- Recycled
Recycled fabrics (either natural or synthetic) are the ones who are sorted, graded and reused again to make new fabrics. The most popular worldwide recycled fabric is polyester. It is not a secret that textiles made of polyester fiber are not very friendly to the environment: its production uses tremendous quantities of water, chemicals, use of fossil fuels and releases huge quantities of microplastics to the oceans. However, companies are constantly looking for new ways to fight this problem. One of the ways – recycling polyester textiles and making new fabrics from it or even from recycled plastic bottles.
- Upcycled
The idea of clothing upcycling process is simple: just take old, worn, torn or already damaged clothing, and transform it into something new. The most sustainable way to create fashion is not to make something new, but to take something that already exists and convert it into new, better quality and higher environmental value product. The most important factor is to expand your products life span.
- Biodegradable or compostable
Biodegradable fabrics are natural ones which can be disintegrated into its natural base elements by fungi, bacteria or other biological process. Biodegradable fabrics decompose easily with the help of natural processes without any harmful effects of toxic chemicals for our mother nature. Which fabrics are called natural? Cotton, wool, hemp, soy silk, bamboo etc. Coming from a plant, the fabric is quite environmentally friendly as it does not cause any pollution when it disintegrates into the environment.
- Bio-based fabric
Bio-based fabric is not that common, however, it is slowly becoming more and more popular. The term refers to textile which is partially derived from biomass: vegetables and plants (cellulosic chemical fibers such as viscose, cupro, acetate). In the textile field, the term generally refers to the production of manmade fibers, such as nylon and polyester, where the replacement of fossil fuels is one of the main fields of innovation. It is important to note that bio-based fabrics do not necessarily mean biodegradable since these two terms are quite similar for consumers.
- Organic
Organic textile is grown without any pesticides or other hazardous and toxic chemicals which are dangerous for people & planet. In the fabric growth process, only natural fertilizers are used. The soil and water are monitored. A fabric can be called organic if 95% of the fabric contains the organic fabric.
Even though the changes are slow, you are making a difference by choosing what to wear every single day.