When it comes to protecting the environment, your choices matter. If you’re reading this, you probably already realize that the decisions you make in your everyday life can make a positive difference. Maybe you’ve decided to buy local organic produce, ride your bike to work, or donate to protect local wetlands. Or maybe you’re just starting to think "green" and want to explore your eco-friendly options.
Good for you! But ecologically responsible choices are not just about organic foods and carbon footprints. They can be as simple as the shirt on your back. More and more manufacturers are jumping on board the "green wagon" and offering environmentally responsible clothing and products for an array of activities.
The term "eco-friendly" can be defined as ecologically acceptable, or less threatening to the environment. So it follows that in order for a product to be eco-friendly, it should be made using materials or techniques that mitigate our impact on the planet. Luckily, there are plenty of non-threatening natural fibers and fabrics that can be used to make superior apparel, footwear, and outdoor gear. This fiber is gaining in popularity, as is hemp, bamboo, TENCEL®, and even recycled polyester. Sierra Trading Post carries many eco-friendly products and we’ve created this guide to help you navigate through the green sea of options.
Eco-Friendly Fibers & Fabrics
Cotton is responsible for the majority of the world’s pesticide use, due to its popularity and low insect resistance. Organic cotton, however, is grown in soil that is certified free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for at least three years. Not only does organic cotton save the ground, but it also saves your skin from irritating exposure to unnecessary chemicals. Anything made from cotton can be made better with organic cotton. Organic cotton can be every bit as soft as traditional cotton, but comes with peace of mind as an added bonus.
This extremely tough natural fiber is once again gaining in popularity due to its extreme eco-usefulness. It’s no secret that hemp is a wonder fiber—we’ve known that for many years. The Declaration of Independence was printed on hemp paper and George Washington’s clothes were even made out of it. Hemp is eco-friendly, sustainable and much easier to grow (without the use of pesticides) than cotton. Cotton fields account for 50% of the world’s pesticide use; hemp fields don’t even register on the scale. Hemp has many uses, is easily renewable and highly versatile. Fabric made from hemp can be as soft as the softest cotton, as sturdy as denim, and as flowing as linen. More and more apparel companies are turning to hemp to green their collections.
Relatively new to the clothing and outdoor industries, bamboo is making a big name for itself. Because it’s a grass, cutting bamboo and using its fibers for clothing doesn’t hurt the planet or the plant itself, but actually makes it healthier. Quickly renewable, bamboo grows easily without the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and can even be used to stabilize erosion and deforestation. Bamboo pulp is bleached without chlorine and is easy to dye, thus lessening the environmental impacts of clothing production. Bamboo is now being used for all types of apparel and is surprisingly soft to the touch. Bamboo blends are also very popular right now.
Do you really appreciate the benefits of synthetic fabrics, but hate what they’re made of? Compromise with recycled polyester. Patagonia was the first outdoor clothing company to offer products made of recycled polyester. They recycle old soda bottles to create their Capilene® and select fleece apparel. You’d be surprised at how soft and comfortable recycled soda bottles can be when Patagonia gets through with them! The use of recycled polyester lessens our need for oil, reduces waste (and the toxins required to burn it), and produces less pollution. Other companies are now using recycled polyester in a multitude of products; everything from clothing to rugs and outerwear.
Made from plant cellulose (usually wood pulp), lyocell or TENCEL® is manufactured with environmentally friendly processes and is an extremely strong, yet soft, fiber with many uses. Like hemp, TENCEL can be soft as silk, as flowing as linen, and as warm as wool. It’s also an extremely efficient moisture-managing fabric that offers the ultimate in comfort. Used in clothing and bedding, TENCEL is an innovative, fairly new fabric with tremendous eco-potential. The flowing and soft properties of TENCEL make it ideal for use in blouses and pants.
Touted by some as "vegetable cashmere", soy is rarer than organic cotton, which makes it more expensive, too. Soybean fiber is a renewable resource and a byproduct of the food industry. Some soy fibers are organic, while others are not. The organic soy fibers are greener than those from traditionally grown soybeans, but all soy fibers are better for the environment than most fabrics. Soft and smooth with a silky luster, soy is the new "it" fiber of the sustainable clothing industry. Just expect to pay a little more for it when you do find it, as it isn’t widely available.
The jute plant only takes 4-5 months to reach maturity, which makes it highly sustainable and quickly renewable. Jute is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. Jute fibers can be woven into gorgeous rugs, mats, accessories, luggage, packaging and even clothing with a naturally golden and silky luster. Jute is widely available for use as both a textile and a non textile. It is second only to cotton in the amount grown and the many ways it can be used.
Made with reconstituted cellulose from beech trees, modal is a luxuriously soft and extravagant eco-friendly fabric. 100% biodegradable, this bio-based fabric is 50% more water-absorbent than cotton, but it dyes just as well, holds color fast, and is resistant to fading. It seemingly can do no wrong. Modal is often used in towels, bathrobes and linens, while its silky smooth cousin, MicroModal®, is used in intimates and apparel worn close to the skin. You have to feel it to believe it—it’s that soft.
Anything Recycled
Companies are getting creative with recycled goods and clothing. It seems that just about anything can be recycled into something usable. If you’re looking for a product that’s truly eco-friendly, you can’t go wrong with recycled goods. Along with recycled polyester, Sierra Trading Post also sells items made from recycled paper, rubber, and wood. That list will no doubt continue to grow as innovations are made in the industry.
The Guide to Eco-Friendly Fabrics is a great place to start thinking green, but there are also many other ways to be an earth-friendly shopper. Purchasing name brand products that will stand the test of time, for example, is an extremely important one. Clothing, outdoor gear, and footwear from Sierra Trading Post are made to last and of the highest quality available. This alone reduces waste and pollution by minimizing the need for replacement items.
Check out our Environmental Statement to see some of the green innovations at Sierra Trading Post.