Choosing Sustainable Materials For Clothing

Many people think they understand the ins and outs of choosing a great fabric. Some even feel confident enough to tell others to make the same choose as them. However, what they might not know is that some fabrics are better for the environment than others. Certain fibers are healthier to wear and are sustainable products. No matter whether you are purchasing handmade bags, t-shirts, pants or shoes, some products are made with ecologically friendly materials and others are not. Most people assume natural fabrics are better, but is this really the case? Should you choose cotton over polyester because polyester is synthetic? Natural usually means green and better for the environment, but some people might not agree with this assertion.

No matter what fiber you initially use, creating the final product is going to create damage to the environment. Energy is used to harvest natural materials, while synthetic materials are produced in a factory. Cotton is viewed as better in some cases because it can be replanted. It grows fairly quickly, but this does not mean a thing if it is not grown using green practices or safe environments for workers. The production and harvesting of cotton uses a lot of pesticide and insecticide if not grown organically. Organic might seem better, but it is still not perfect. It still uses a great deal of water and is a major reason for lower water levels in certain areas.

So the other option is the synthetic material polyester. It requires less water to create and since it is not grown, there is little worry about harvesting the materials. It is energy intensive and depending on where it is made, there is a chance workers might have been treated poorly or underpaid. Polyester is recyclable and there are places where garment recycling is a mainstream process. The material does require oil and wood to produce, but it can be made from recycled materials.

So is it better to go with natural or manmade? When you look over all of the factors, the decision still might seem difficult. Add in the fact that some people have a bad reaction to synthetic fibers and others have a difficult time maintaining natural fibers when laundering. There are also post-manufacturing issues to consider like the distance materials have to travel to be turned into clothing. Just because a garment is a complete article of clothing does not mean its ecological footprint ends.

Some people prefer polyester because it dries quickly and is stain resistant. Others prefer cotton because it is lightweight and comfortable. Cotton needs to be washed more frequently and washing it requires more time and effort. Cotton also wrinkles easily, while polyester is easy wash and wear. Even with all the negatives, there are still people who prefer cotton to polyester and other synthetic fabrics. The key is to choose cotton that has been grown in a safe, sustainable manner. This will cost a bit more, but it reduces the problems associated with cotton and eliminates the need to deal with the unpleasant aspects of polyester.

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Stewart Wrighter recently purchased a couple of handmade bags for his wife and daughter. For more information about handmade bags go to

http://www.handmadeexpressions.net/ .

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