"Oranges, Coffee Grounds, and Seaweed: The New Green Alternatives in Sustainable Fashion"
The fashion industry contributes to around 5% of global CO2 emissions, with a single cotton shirt producing 2.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide and a polyester shirt producing over double that amount (5.5 kilograms).
However, there are alternative, sustainable textiles that can reduce the environmental impact of fashion.
New research, including ongoing studies, points to the use of "non-traditional fibres" such as those made from waste products (e.g. coffee grounds and recycled plastic bottles) and natural sources like seaweed, orange, lotus, corn, and mushroom.
Brands like Patagonia, Mud Jeans, Ninety Percent, Plant Faced Clothing, and Afends are already incorporating these sustainable fibres into their products.
Traditional fibres, both natural and synthetic, have their own environmental drawbacks. Natural fibres, like cotton and flax, can biodegrade but require a large amount of fresh water and toxic chemicals to harvest.
Synthetic fibres, derived from oil and gas, consume less water but a significantly higher amount of energy and don't easily decompose, releasing microplastics that harm the environment and pose health risks.
To mitigate these issues, fashion brands are adopting new fibres derived from seaweed, corn, and mushroom, as well as emerging natural fibres like lotus, pineapple, and banana fibres.
Additionally, fibres made from waste products like orange peels and coffee grounds are also being researched and successfully used in clothing production. These non-traditional fibres are biodegradable, don't require large amounts of water or energy, and don't release microplastics.
The use of recycled synthetic fibres is also growing, reducing the use of virgin materials and mitigating plastic pollution. Proper colour selection during recycling and processing can also eliminate the need for dyeing.
For a more sustainable fashion industry, fashion companies, brands, and retailers need to invest in the research and development of these sustainable fibres, while machine manufacturers need to develop technology for large-scale harvesting and production. As consumers, we can play a role by demanding information and holding brands accountable.