How do you know if Fabric is Sustainable in 2025?

Determining whether a fabric is sustainable involves evaluating its environmental, social, and economic impact across its lifecycle—from production to disposal. With growing consumer awareness of sustainability in 2025, understanding these factors can help you make informed choices

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, particularly regarding fabric production. The fashion world is one of the largest contributors to pollution and waste, and with increasing consumer awareness, there is a shift towards more sustainable practices. Sustainable fabrics aim to reduce environmental impact, support ethical labor practices, and promote long-term ecological balance. But how can you identify whether a fabric is truly sustainable?

Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding what makes fabric sustainable and how you can determine if a fabric meets sustainability criteria.

1. Material Source: Natural vs Synthetic

The type of raw material used to make the fabric plays a crucial role in its sustainability. There are two main categories of fabrics: natural and synthetic.

Natural Fabrics:

Natural fibers come from plants or animals. Common examples include cotton, linen, wool, silk, and hemp.

• Organic Cotton: Regular cotton farming uses pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which harm the environment. However, organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and focuses on soil health and water conservation.
• Linen: Made from flax plants, linen is biodegradable and requires less water and pesticides compared to cotton. It is also highly durable.
• Hemp: Hemp is one of the most sustainable fibers. It requires minimal water and pesticides, and it replenishes the soil. Hemp fibers are also biodegradable.
• Wool: Wool is natural, renewable, and biodegradable, but its sustainability depends on ethical animal farming practices.
• Jute and Bamboo: These plants grow rapidly and require fewer resources, but bamboo fabric should be checked for environmentally friendly processing.

Synthetic Fabrics:

Synthetic fibers are made from petrochemicals and are typically not biodegradable. They include materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

• Polyester: Although polyester is made from petroleum-based products, recycled polyester (rPET) can be considered more sustainable. rPET is made from recycled plastic bottles or discarded polyester garments, reducing the need for virgin material.
• Nylon: Like polyester, nylon is derived from petroleum, but it can be recycled. However, nylon production is energy-intensive and produces harmful chemicals.
• Acrylic: Acrylic is another petroleum-based fabric with a high environmental cost, as it is not biodegradable and requires high energy consumption to produce.

Key Indicator: Look for Organic or Recycled Materials

• Organic fibers like cotton, hemp, and wool are generally more sustainable.
• Recycled synthetics, such as rPET, are a better alternative to virgin synthetics.

Regenerated and Recycled Fibers

• Recycled Polyester: Made from plastic waste like PET bottles, reducing the need for virgin plastic.
• Tencel™ (Lyocell): Made from sustainably sourced wood pulp in a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents.
• Econyl®: A regenerated nylon made from discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste.

2. Water Usage and Impact

Water consumption is one of the largest environmental concerns in fabric production. The farming of cotton, for example, uses vast amounts of water, which can lead to water scarcity issues in some regions.

• Cotton: Conventional cotton uses a lot of water and chemicals. Organic cotton uses less water and chemical input, as it depends on natural fertilizers and organic farming methods.
• Linen and Hemp: These require significantly less water than cotton to grow and are considered much more water-efficient.
• Recycled Fabrics: Recycled polyester, for instance, uses less water than virgin polyester production.

Key Indicator: Water-Efficient Production

Look for fabrics that require less water in production, such as hemp, linen, or recycled fibers.

3. Energy Consumption in Fabric Production

The energy required to produce fabric affects its sustainability. Fabrics that require a lot of energy for manufacturing contribute to a higher carbon footprint.

• Natural Fibers: Fabrics made from plants or animals typically require less energy to produce than synthetic fibers. However, depending on the production process, some natural fabrics, like organic cotton, can require significant energy for processing.
• Recycled Materials: Recycled polyester or nylon, for example, often uses less energy compared to producing new fibers from raw materials.

Key Indicator: Low-Energy Manufacturing

Sustainable fabrics are often produced with less energy-intensive processes, such as those that recycle existing materials or use natural fibers with minimal processing.

4. Biodegradability

One of the most important features of sustainable fabrics is their ability to decompose naturally at the end of their life cycle. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, hemp, and silk are biodegradable, meaning they can break down and return to the earth without leaving harmful micro-plastics.

• Polyester and Nylon: These synthetic fabrics are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down. However, innovations like biodegradable polyester are emerging in the market.
• Recycled Fabrics: Recycled fabrics, especially when made from natural materials, are more biodegradable than virgin synthetics.

Key Indicator: Biodegradable Materials

Natural fibers, such as hemp, linen, wool, and organic cotton, are biodegradable, whereas most synthetic fibers are not.

5. Chemical Use in Fabric Processing

The use of chemicals in fabric production, from dyes to finishing treatments, is a significant environmental concern. Many fabrics are treated with harmful chemicals that pollute water sources and harm wildlife.

• Oeko-Tex Certification: Look for fabrics that are certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which ensures that the fabric has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for human use.
• GOTS Certification: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) ensures that organic fabrics are grown, processed, and dyed without harmful chemicals. It also covers social responsibility aspects.

Key Indicator: Chemical-Free or Low-Chemical Processing

Fabrics certified with eco-labels like GOTS or Oeko-Tex guarantee fewer chemicals and better environmental practices.

6. Social Responsibility and Ethical Labor Practices

Sustainability is not only about the environment; it’s also about people. Ethical labor practices, fair wages, and safe working conditions are critical components of a sustainable fabric supply chain.

• Fair Trade: Look for fabrics that are Fair Trade certified, ensuring that workers are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and are treated with dignity.
• Local Production: Fabrics produced locally or through shorter supply chains typically have a smaller carbon footprint.

Key Indicator: Fair Trade and Ethical Certifications

Look for certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which ensure ethical labor practices in the fabric’s production.

7. Durability and Longevity

A sustainable fabric is one that is durable and lasts longer, reducing the need for constant replacements and minimizing waste. Fabrics that are resistant to wear and tear, hold up over time, and retain their color are better for the environment as they don’t need to be disposed of quickly.

• Wool: Wool is naturally resilient and resistant to stains and odors, making it a durable option.
• Hemp: Known for its strength and long-lasting properties.
• Recycled Fabrics: Recycled materials like polyester and nylon can also be durable, although they may be prone to wear and fading over time.

Key Indicator: Long-Lasting Fabrics

Sustainable fabrics are generally those that last longer and require less frequent replacement, such as wool, hemp, and high-quality recycled fibers.

8. Certifications and Labels to Look For

Several certifications can help you determine if a fabric is sustainable. These labels indicate that the fabric meets specific environmental, social, and ethical standards. Some common sustainability certifications include:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certifies organic fabrics and ensures environmental and social criteria.
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Ensures that fabrics are free from harmful chemicals and safe for use.
• Fair Trade: Ensures that workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
• Recycled Content Labels: Look for labels that indicate the fabric is made from recycled materials, such as rPET (recycled polyester).

What is consumption in fabric?

Fabric consumption refers to the amount of fabric required to produce a specific garment or textile product. It is calculated based on various factors, including the garment’s design, size, pattern, fabric width, and any additional features like trims or embellishments. Fabric consumption is an essential aspect of apparel manufacturing as it helps in estimating fabric requirements, managing production costs, and optimizing material usage.

The formula for fabric consumption typically takes into account:

• Garment style and complexity: More complex designs with multiple panels or features require more fabric.
• Size: Larger sizes need more fabric than smaller ones.
• Fabric width: Wider fabrics reduce consumption since fewer fabric pieces are needed for cutting.
• Pattern layout: Efficient pattern placement on the fabric reduces waste.

Understanding fabric consumption helps manufacturers plan and source materials effectively, contributing to cost control and sustainability in the production process.

Examples of Sustainable Fabrics

• Organic Cotton
• Hemp
• Recycled Polyester
• Tencel™/Lyocell
• Linen
• Econyl® (Recycled Nylon)
• Piñatex® (Pineapple Leaf Fiber)
• Mylo™ (Mushroom Leather)

Conclusion

Determining whether fabric is sustainable involves considering its source, production methods, water and energy usage, biodegradability, chemical treatments, ethical labor practices, and certifications. Sustainable fabrics typically come from renewable resources, are produced with minimal harm to the environment, and are durable and biodegradable. By paying attention to the fabric’s lifecycle, certifications, and materials, consumers can make more informed choices and contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry.