Sustainable fabric suppliers play a vital role in the fashion industry’s transition towards sustainability. They help brands and designers access and vet a wide range of eco-friendly fabrics for their products. When looking for a sustainable fabric supplier, consider their transparency and traceability. It would help if you also looked for various fabric certifications.
Reduced Water Consumption
Choosing the right sustainable fabric sourcing means your brand’s clothing doesn’t contribute to water pollution. The fabrics are made from renewable resources that don’t require a lot of water to manufacture and produce. Additionally, these fabrics are also free from harmful chemicals that are used in many traditional textiles.
Sustainable fabrics often come with higher production costs, which brands should consider before switching. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh any initial costs.
When it comes to fabrics derived from animals, it is important to look into how the animal was raised and sourced. If raised unsustainably, this can contribute to deforestation, environmental chemicals, and CO2 levels. But if the fabric was sourced from an animal raised in a carbon-positive way, this can help restore balance and is much better for the environment and animals.
Another option is to choose fabrics that are recycled or made with natural fibers. Some options include linen, flax, and cupro – made from cotton leftovers that would otherwise be thrown away.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Choosing fabrics manufactured sustainably will greatly reduce your business’s carbon footprint. This means reducing the energy needed to create and transport your fabrics and avoiding those that require copious amounts of chemicals.
You can find many sustainable fabrics, including recycled polyester, organic cotton and linen, cupro (made from discarded cotton linters and manufactured using a closed-loop system), and bamboo. You can also find fabric certifications that indicate a commitment to sustainable production.
When shopping for sustainable fabrics, try to source them from local suppliers. This will reduce the air travel required to get the fabric to your manufacturer and further limit your business’s carbon footprint. If you need to transport the fabrics long distances, consider a renewable energy solution, such as wind-powered transportation and logistics. This will reduce carbon emissions, save energy costs, and help promote a greener lifestyle for consumers. Consumers are increasingly becoming more aware of environmental issues and prefer buying from brands committed to sustainability.
Environmentally Friendly
A big part of sustainability is ensuring their use is made to last so they don’t end up in landfills. Look for fabric suppliers that offer OEKO-TEX and Made in Green certifications to ensure they follow environmental criteria. They should also invest in research and innovation to provide new sustainable fabric options as they become available.
Using eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester, and TENCEL (TM) lyocell will reduce your fashion brand’s ecological footprint. Compared to traditional farming techniques, many of these sustainable materials are grown using methods that minimize water usage and pesticides.
Other sustainable fabric choices include hemp and linen. Both are grown without chemicals and require less water than cotton, so they’re a great option for water scarcity regions. You can even use deadstock, reclaimed fabrics that would otherwise go to waste. This is a great way to reduce production waste and show your customers that you care about the environment.
Ethical
Consumers are growing concerned about how clothing and textile production affects the environment. They wish to assist fashion labels emphasizing eco-friendly production methods and sustainable textiles. A dedication to moral sourcing methods, such as paying fair wages and guaranteeing secure working conditions for supply chain employees, is another thing they look for.
Sustainable fabrics are grown using eco-friendly cultivation and production methods, such as organic cotton, which avoids synthetic pesticides; hemp, which requires fewer chemicals; and bamboo, which grows quickly without requiring large amounts of water. They are also designed to last, challenging the throwaway culture in fashion and promoting reuse and up-cycling.
When choosing a supplier of sustainable fabric, look for certifications, transparency, and traceability. They should also offer various sustainable fabrics so you can find the right one for your needs and design aesthetics. It’s also important to look for fabrics that are biodegradable and vegan-friendly for the environment and animal welfare.
Increased Profits
Choosing sustainable fabrics helps minimize your environmental footprint and increases profits. It’s been shown that consumers are willing to pay more for brands that prioritize sustainability, particularly if they believe those companies are doing good work to help the environment.
This is why it’s so important to prioritize transparency and sustainable materials. Looking for fabric is an important supplier with certifications.
Additionally, look for sustainable fabrics made from natural or recycled materials. For example, linen and hemp are eco-friendly fabrics that require little water to grow and regenerate quickly. In addition, you can also find fabrics made from deadstock, which is reclaimed fabric scraps that would otherwise be discarded as waste.
While reducing your impact on the planet is a great goal, you should also keep in mind that you are creating garments for customers, and getting them on board with sustainability can be challenging. This is why it’s important to focus on what your clients want and ask for their feedback as you experiment with new sustainable fabrics.
