11 Eco-Friendly Clothing Materials (2025)

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A lot of the conventional textile materials that are used for making clothes have quite detrimental environmental and social impacts.

On the flip side, there are brands that use materials that are earth-friendly and much more sustainable, like innovative plant-based fibers, and organic & recycled materials.

While there is no clear-cut answer to finding the BEST eco-friendly fabric, and it all depends on various factors, this article will help you to navigate through the most environmentally-conscious choices.

Before we get to the list of eco-friendly textiles, let’s first briefly answer the following question – 

What makes a clothing fabric ‘sustainable’? 

A few things really matter here:

• Sourcing – Where does the fabric come from? Is it renewable, organic, or recycled?
• Manufacturing – How is it made? Does it use tons of water, pesticides, or harsh chemicals, or is it produced in a more closed-loop and low-impact way?
• Disposal – What happens at the end of its life? Can it be recycled or biodegraded, or will it just end up sitting in a landfill?
• People – Who makes it? Fair wages and safe working conditions are just as important as the environmental side.
• Durability – How does it hold up over time? A strong, long-lasting fabric is always better than something that falls apart after a few washes.

So when we talk about sustainable clothing fabrics, it’s not just about the material itself, it’s about the entire journey: from how it’s grown or made, to how it’s used, to what happens when we’re done with it.

That said, even if a fabric sounds eco-friendly, the brand using it makes a big difference. Some fast fashion labels love to drop “sustainable collections” made with organic cotton or recycled polyester, but if they’re still making out millions of garments at lightning speed, it’s almost always just greenwashing.

So, things aren’t black and white, and even sustainable fashion brands can have pros and cons. But what really matters is looking at the overall impact of a fabric’s production and the company behind it to understand how sustainable it actually is.

11 eco-friendly materials in fashion:

1. Organic cotton

Sustainability features: Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. It promotes soil health, reduces water usage, and minimizes environmental pollution compared to conventional cotton farming practices. 

Benefits: Organic cotton is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It supports biodiversity and promotes healthier ecosystems by avoiding harmful chemicals and promoting natural farming methods.

Limitations: Despite its environmental benefits, organic cotton production may require more land compared to conventional cotton farming. Additionally, certification and traceability challenges can make it difficult to ensure the authenticity of organic cotton products.

2. Hemp

Sustainability features: Hemp is a highly sustainable crop that requires minimal water, pesticides, and fertilizers to grow. It can thrive in diverse climates and soil conditions, making it a versatile and resilient alternative to traditional fibers.

Benefits: Hemp fibers are strong, durable, and naturally resistant to pests and mold. It has excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties, making hemp garments ideal for warm climates and active lifestyles.

Limitations: Despite its environmental benefits, hemp cultivation and processing require specialized equipment and infrastructure, which can increase production costs. Limited availability and regulatory restrictions may also pose challenges for widespread adoption in the fashion industry.

3. Bamboo

Sustainability features: Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable resource that requires minimal water, pesticides, and land to cultivate. It has natural antibacterial properties and can be grown organically without the need for synthetic chemicals.

Benefits: Bamboo fibers are soft, silky, and biodegradable, making them a popular choice for eco-friendly clothing. It has excellent moisture absorption and thermal regulation properties, providing comfort and breathability in a wide range of climates.

Limitations: The production of bamboo fibers often involves chemical processing methods that can be harmful to the environment if not properly managed. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of bamboo cultivation practices, particularly in regions where it is grown intensively for commercial purposes.

4. Tencel (Lyocell)

Sustainability features: Tencel, also known as Lyocell, is a type of cellulosic fiber derived from sustainably harvested wood pulp, typically sourced from eucalyptus trees. It is produced through a closed-loop manufacturing process that recycles solvents and minimizes waste and emissions.

Benefits: Tencel fibers are soft, smooth, and biodegradable, with excellent moisture absorption and breathability properties. They are produced using eco-friendly production methods that prioritize resource efficiency and environmental protection.

Limitations: While Tencel is considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional fibers, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of large-scale eucalyptus plantations and the potential displacement of indigenous communities in some regions.

5. Recycled fabrics

Sustainability features: Recycled fabrics are made from post-consumer or post-industrial waste materials, such as plastic bottles, textile scraps, and discarded garments. They help reduce waste and pollution by diverting materials from landfills and reducing the need for virgin resources.

Benefits: Recycled fabrics conserve energy, water, and natural resources by repurposing existing materials and reducing the demand for new production. They can be transformed into a wide range of textiles, including polyester, nylon, and cotton blends, offering versatility and performance.

Limitations: The quality and availability of recycled fabrics can vary depending on the source materials. Contaminants in recycled materials, such as dyes or chemicals, can pose challenges to fabric quality and safety.

Other (less common) eco-friendly textile options:

6. Soy cashmere/silk:

Made from soy protein fiber extracted from soybean processing leftovers, this fabric is receptive to natural dyes and offers a sustainable alternative to traditional silk.

7. Corn fiber:

Derived from plant sugars, corn fiber offers strength, resilience, comfort, and softness without chemical additives. It’s naturally flame-retardant and suitable for various textile applications.

8. Banana fiber:

Utilizing banana stems as a fiber source, banana fiber is gaining popularity for its strength and versatility. From tea bags to clothing, it offers differing weights and thicknesses based on the part of the banana stem used. Its high water-absorbing property ensures coolness and comfort when worn.

9. Cactus fiber:

Derived from renewable cactus plants, which require minimal water and resources to grow compared to traditional leather production from animal hides. Cactus leather production typically involves fewer chemicals and toxins, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative. It is a cruelty-free and sustainable option for those seeking alternatives to traditional leather.

10. Piñatex:

Also known as pineapple leather, is a sustainable textile crafted from pineapple leaf fibers. Through a process of decortication, these fibers are extracted, processed, and transformed into a durable and versatile material akin to traditional leather. Piñatex not only provides a cruelty-free alternative to animal leather but also repurposes agricultural waste from pineapple cultivation, supporting local communities and promoting eco-friendly practices in fashion.

11. Grape / wine leather:

Grape or wine leather utilizes grape by-products from winemaking to create a cellulose-based material with leather-like properties. This innovative textile offers a sustainable solution to traditional leather, reducing agricultural waste and contributing to circular economies. With unique textures and colors, grape leather presents opportunities for eco-conscious fashion and beyond.

What about wool, alpaca & leather?

Animal-derived materials are often marketed as “natural” and “long-lasting,” but the reality is that they usually come with huge environmental costs and serious animal welfare issues.

• Wool – The full life cycle of wool involves high greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land degradation. On top of that, standard practices in the wool industry include painful mutilations (like mulesing, castration without pain relief, and tail docking). Investigations have exposed repeated cases of cruelty on farms, despite “ethical wool” claims. (1, 2)
• Alpaca wool – Alpaca might sound like a more sustainable alternative, but studies (including the Higg Materials Sustainability Index) rank it as one of the most environmentally damaging fibers, even worse than polyester. It’s linked to land degradation in South America, and like with sheep, animal welfare concerns are significant. (1, 2, 3)
• Leather – Often seen as a durable “by-product” of the meat industry, but in reality, leather is a driver of deforestation (especially in the Amazon), water pollution from toxic tanning, and methane emissions from cattle farming. And, of course, it involves animal slaughter. While “vegetable-tanned” leather is marketed as eco-friendlier, it still relies on the same harmful livestock system.

If you want to avoid supporting industries that harm animals and the planet, there are now plenty of plant-based alternatives that are cruelty-free and use far fewer resources.

Other “natural” fabrics that aren’t so sustainable

Just because a fabric is “natural” doesn’t automatically mean it’s good for the planet (or animals). And as mentioned earlier, even if a material itself is more sustainable, it often depends on the brand using it.

Many fast fashion labels launch so-called “conscious” or “eco” collections with organic cotton or recycled polyester, but if they’re still producing massive amounts of clothes at breakneck speed, the impact is far from sustainable.

Here are some commonly marketed fabrics that come with big drawbacks:

• Silk – Luxurious but resource-heavy. Conventional silk farming kills silkworms and uses a lot of water, energy, and chemicals. The Higg Index ranks it as one of the worst fibers for the environment. “Peace silk” exists but is niche and not free of issues.
• Conventional cotton – Unlike organic cotton, conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world and extremely water-thirsty. Its production has even contributed to ecological disasters like the drying of the Aral Sea.
• Leather – Requires huge land and water use, drives deforestation, and emits methane from cattle farming. The tanning process is toxic and polluting, and of course, it involves animal suffering. Vegan options like cactus, Piñatex, and grape leather are far better.
• Cashmere – Often branded as “luxury,” but the growing demand has led to overgrazing in Mongolia and China, causing desertification and biodiversity loss, not to mention animal welfare concerns.
• Down feathers – Used in jackets and bedding. Down often comes from live-plucked or force-fed ducks and geese. Even “responsible down” certifications have loopholes, so recycled or plant-based alternatives are more reliable.

Final thoughts

The world of fashion is evolving, and there’s a growing and wider range of textiles that not only look good but are also eco-friendly. 

By making informed choices and supporting brands that prioritize sustainability, we can contribute to a more eco-conscious fashion industry and a healthier planet.

I feel it’s essential to remain aware and consider the entire lifecycle of clothing, from production to disposal, and support eco-friendly clothing brands that truly care (and aren’t greenwashing to sell more).

Related content:

• My Favorite Sustainable Boho Clothing Brands (Affordable & Ethical)
• 50 Affordable Sustainable Clothing Brands (List)
• 32 Affordable Sustainable Swimwear Brands
• What Are The Disadvantages Of Fast Fashion?
• Unethical Fast Fashion Clothing Brands To Avoid
• 39 Thrift Shops For Second-Hand Clothes Online

Sources:

• Valuing Our Clothes: the cost of UK fashion, July 2017
• Eco-friendly textiles: A BOOST TO SUSTAINABILITY
• Eco-friendly textiles, International Journal Of Science Technology and Management, November 2016