In recent years, an increasing attention to the environment and to sustainability has developed, also in the fashion industry. The costs of fast fashion have a strong impact on the environment, with almost 100.000 tons of waste produced every year and the responsibility of about 10% of global CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is useful to find out how to make your wardrobe more environmentally friendly. A good start is to learn something more about fabrics: each fiber has a life cycle and a production process with a different impact on the environment, from cultivation or production, to treatments and disposal. So, what are the most sustainable and ecological fabrics?
Which fabrics to choose for a sustainable fashion
Linen
Obtained from the homonymous plant, linen is one of the oldest fibers in the world and is considered one of the most sustainable fabrics. In fact, its cultivation requires very little water, it is a plant that grows well even in poorly fertile soils and has a great ability to absorb CO2. With the fiber obtained from the plant it is created a breathable and resistant fabric, very appreciated during the summer season and used for example for light stoles. If untreated or dyed with natural products, linen is also completely biodegradable, so it is a great choice for sustainable fashion.
Hemp
Together with linen, hemp is one of the most sustainable textile fibers. The plant from which the fiber is obtained has in fact a spontaneous growth, does not require a large amount of water or the use of other chemicals for maintenance. Its production chain is therefore particularly ecological and with a reduced impact. For this reason, hemp as well as linen is one of the few fibers that can be defined ecological even without the need for a certified chain.
Wool
Wool has a very ancient history and have been used by man since prehistoric times. It is a very soft, breathable and thermoregulatory fiber, and is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly since it is made from organic materials and therefore biodegradable. In the case of wool, however, it is important to ensure that its production derives from a certified chain: this guarantees the final consumer that the animals are protected and that the land used for their grazing is not intensively exploited. Another option that guarantees the sustainability of wool or cashmere is the indication that it is a recycled or regenerated fabric, as for our eco cashmere products.
Organic cotton
Finally, also the cotton fiber can be sustainable, provided that it comes from an organic cultivation. Traditional intensive cultivations have a very high environmental and social impact, due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides and herbicides, the drying up of groundwater and the exploitation of workers. In recent years, therefore, small organic cotton cultivations have been established, conducted with more ethical and sustainable forms of agriculture. To obtain the organic cotton certification, it is also necessary that the entire fabric production cycle has a low environmental impact.
Nicki Colombo’s commitment to sustainability
In Nicki Colombo we have always been attentive to the environment and for some years we have been engaged in an evolution process of the entire company. Not only we carefully select suppliers for the best certified yarns, but we also choose to use recycled materials for bags and packaging. Our goal is to reduce the consumption of natural resources, in full compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the 2030 UN Agenda. In this way, we can ensure that you wear a quality product that is both ethical and eco-sustainable.
