Are organic materials the perfect alternative for a sustainable industry?

The textile industry is the second most polluting industry in the world and the fashion sector has been working for some time and implementing new strategies to reduce the impact this has on the environment. The appearance of new fabrics, the work with Recycled materials and even the reuse of leftovers from large companies are a light within the sector. It is important to know the new alternatives that are making their way among traditional fabrics, organic materials that today are already a reality in many clothing and accessory brands. All Nu Unique garments are made with sustainable materials and traditional manufacturing processes. Knowing these materials is important when choosing the garments you buy. Here I leave you a list with some of the most important and innovative sustainable fabrics.

Types of organic materials

Organic cotton

Among sustainable fabrics, organic cotton is undoubtedly the best known. It is grown without pesticides, chemicals and toxins. Organic cotton is also grown in fields where the working conditions of the workers are respected and without genetically modified seeds. 1% of the world's cotton crops are organic cotton. It is a process of change that is beginning to be noticed little by little in large textile industries, but widely used in professional artisans in Spain.

Recycled materials

Fishing nets, coffee, plastic bottles, tires, recycled cotton and wool... the amount of materials that can be reused to create fabrics is truly incredible. The processes to convert all these materials into sustainable textiles are disparate. For example, recycled cotton is obtained through the remains of fibers from other clothing items. Although large brands have released collections of recycled materials, fast-fashion creates massive consumption of polluting materials and techniques, so it is necessary that consumers become aware of the importance of knowing who, where and how the clothes they buy are made. The heavyweights of the global textile industry turn sustainability campaigns into a sales claim and not a real change in clothing consumption.

Bambú

Bamboo fiber is extracted from bamboo pulp and bleached without chlorine. It is soft, absorbent and breathable and also requires little water for its treatment. Hemp, wood or cork are other materials that are also being used, especially in accessories.

Piñatex

It is a material obtained from pineapple fibers and resembles leather. Different thicknesses and shapes can be obtained, in order to achieve different textile textures. It is being widely used, not only in clothing and accessories, but also in home textiles since it is an eco-friendly alternative without sacrificing quality.

Cupro

It is a regenerated cellulose fiber, very similar to silk in feel and properties. It is obtained from cotton or cellulose. It is a very soft and durable material and a fantastic alternative for those people allergic to polyester or acrylic fabrics. It is a fabric with a very beautiful drape and feels very good, which is why it is being used a lot in dresses or garments that need movement. Jackets, scarves, skirts... It is essential to be aware of how we dress. Knowing what material the clothes we use are made of, where they come from and who made them. Just as we are increasingly aware of what we eat or where the food we buy comes from. Buying with conscience is gaining in design, quality and, above all, knowing the importance of responsible consumption. Sustainable materials are a step within the textile industry, but there is still a long way to go to create a circle of responsible consumption.