12 Sustainable Materials You Need to Know
Common Sustainable Materials in Fashion & Home Decor
TLDR; When it comes to shopping sustainably, the materials matter! Sustainable fibers have come a long way, with bigger and better innovations resulting in more eco-friendly options. Find 12 sustainable materials that you need to know.
Looking for sustainable materials for your home and wardrobe? In this article, we explore the 12 most common sustainable materials used in clothing, fashion, and home goods today. Learn about the benefits of each material, as well as where to find sustainable clothing and home decor made from these materials.
The 12 Sustainable Materials You Need to Know
1. Tencel Eucalyptus
Great for breathable bedding
Tencel is a cellulosic fiber made from responsibly harvested, fast-growing, and highly renewable eucalyptus. It’s made in a closed-loop process reusing almost 100% of all water and solvents.
Properties: Ultra-silky, shiny, long-lasting, durable, gentle, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and moisture-wicking.
2. Bamboo Lyocell
Sensitive skin friendly
Bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass that produces 35% more oxygen than trees, improves soil quality, and helps prevent erosion. Natural bamboo is processed into a Lyocell fabric using a process that reuses 99% of chemicals used. Plus, bamboo bedding's anti-microbial properties make it an excellent choice choice for customers with sensitive skin who are looking for a sustainable bedding alternative.
Properties: Sleek, durable, buttery soft, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic
3. Hemp
Lightweight and breathable
Hemp is a fast-growing fibrous plant that requires much less water than cotton. It’s also a carbon-negative crop — absorbing more carbon dioxide from the air that it creates. Hemp is great for breathable clothing and bedding.
Properties: Lightweight, breathable, temperature regulating, extremely durable, antibacterial, and gets softer with time.
4. Organic Cotton
Easy to care for
Organic cotton is never genetically modified and is always grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, which means those nasty chemicals stay far away from you and your skin. Great for long-lasting clothing.
Properties: Breathable, keeps you cool, easy to care for, pet-friendly, and budget-friendly.
5. Linen
Gets softer with each wash
Linen is made from the flax plant, which is fast growing, requires little to no pesticides or fertilizers, and needs far less water than cotton. In fact, growing flax sometimes requires no irrigation. Want to add linen into your home? Fast-drying linen towels and soft linen bedding are great places to start your sustainable materials journey.
Properties: Breathable, temperature-regulating, durable, sunlight-resistant, and gets softer with each wash.
6. Banana Fiber
The coolest silk alternative
Banana fiber is an incredible natural, sustainable, and versatile fiber made from pseudostems (a fancy name for the trunk) of the banana tree — a byproduct of the banana industry that would otherwise be discarded. Banana Viscose is great for breathable, lightweight, warm-weather clothing.
Properties: Silky, breathable, absorbent, and hypoallergenic.
7. Seacell
An innovative fabric
A seaweed-based fabric, Seacell’s amino acids and high levels of antioxidants help protect your skin. Great for underwear because it’s naturally breathable and antibacterial. Seacell is made in an eco-friendly closed-loop process, similar to Lyocell.
Properties: Moisture-wicking, antibacterial, absorbent, breathable, hypoallergenic, and great for your skin.
8. Responsibly-sourced Wool
The OG sustainable fiber
One of the first fibers to be woven into fabric, wool is the most recyclable fiber on the planet. Sheep make wool naturally and need to be sheered during warmer months. Wool is great for natural fiber rugs, and also wonderful for warm, temperature-regulating slippers.
Properties: Durable, warm, naturally wrinkle-resistant, flexible, stain-resistant, and moisture-wicking.
9. Sisal + Sweetgrass
Locally harvested in Africa
Sisal and sweetgrass are native to many African countries and continue to grow and produce new fibers after they are harvested. Both fibers are used in long-lasting durable baskets and hampers.
Properties: Sturdy, versatile, and strong.
10. Plant-Based Leathers
Sustainable faux-leather
Made from discarded apple peels and fruit waste from the juice industry, apple leather is truly amazing. Through a proprietary process of combining discarded fibers, bio-contents, and a tiny amount of water-based polyurethane, an innovative leather alternative is created! Apple leather looks exquisite as a purse, tote, or bag.
Properties: Cruelty-free, non-toxic, and sturdy.
11. Ironstone
Recycled clay ceramics
Ironstone is a formulation of sustainably-sourced raw materials including recycled clay. Its unique recipe makes it stronger and more climate-friendly compared to traditional handmade ceramics.
Properties: Microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, oven-safe, freezer-safe, food-safe, durable, scratch-resistant, and chip-resistant, too!
12. Recycled Copper
Great for cooking and serving
Copper has many health benefits, including boosting the digestive system, improving cardiovascular health, and aiding in skin health. We also love copper because of its ability to evenly heat when used as cookware, and its brilliant shine when used on the table.
Properties: Antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal. Cookware heats quickly and evenly.
Why Sustainable Materials Matter
These sustainable materials, ranging from organic cotton to recycled copper, represent significant advancements in eco-friendly manufacturing and design. They offer consumers a wide range of options for clothing, home goods, and accessories that align with their environmentally conscious values. By choosing products made from these materials, shoppers can reduce their environmental impact while enjoying high-quality, functional items.
As the demand for sustainable products grows, largely driven by consumers like you, we'll likely see even more innovations in eco-friendly materials. Your choices and preferences are shaping the future of sustainable living. Staying informed about these options empowers you to make choices that benefit both your personal lifestyle and the planet. Whether you're looking for comfortable bedding, durable clothing, or stylish accessories, there's a sustainable material that can meet your needs while supporting a more environmentally responsible future.
By incorporating these materials into our daily lives, we can collectively reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote more sustainable manufacturing practices. Your role as a conscious consumer is crucial. As you shop for your next piece of clothing or home decor, consider the impact of your choices and explore the exciting world of sustainable materials.
The journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle is ongoing, and every purchase you make is an opportunity to vote with your wallet. These materials often come with additional benefits beyond their eco-friendliness. Many are hypoallergenic, ideal for those with sensitive skin, while others like linen and wool are known for their longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
The production of these sustainable materials often supports local communities and promotes fair labor practices. Choosing a sisal basket or a product made from banana fiber supports artisans and farmers practicing sustainable agricultural practices adding an element of environmental responsibility to your purchasing decisions.
As these materials become more mainstream, they're likely to become more affordable and accessible. Your continued support encourages brands to invest in eco-friendly materials and production methods, creating a positive feedback loop of increased demand, innovation, and wider availability.
Remember, sustainability is not about perfection – it's about making better choices whenever possible. Every sustainable purchase, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement towards a more eco-friendly world. By staying curious, asking questions about the products you buy, and prioritizing sustainability in your purchasing decisions, you become an agent of change. The power to shape the future of manufacturing and design is in your hands.
