5 SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023

The world of fast fashion has caused enough landfills and environmental pollution across the
globe to make us rethink our decisions..In the constant race of wanting more in a cheap price,
we have consciously or unconsciously created a huge market of cheap textiles which often
causes huge environmental pollution and are non biodegradable.These textiles surely meets
our needs but the question is at what cost?Are we willing to destroy our sources and pollute our
mother earth when we have alternate sustainable options available.

Few changemakers around the globe came forward with solutions to give us one last chance to
change the polluting cycle.They dug deep in the lane of history of textiles and at the same time
used their gift of advanced technology to produce sustainable textiles which are opening new
doors towards a far less polluting and conscious world of apparel design.

Now that climate change has already started to happen,our every choices makes a difference.In
the year 2020 the city Auckland of New Zealand has reported 74 metric tons of microplastic
rain.According to report published in Environmental Science and technology the microplastic
rain that Auckland witnessed is equivalent to 3 million plastic bottle.

It is an immense responsibility on every designer to implement the use of sustainable textiles

which will make a huge difference.We all are in the endgame. So let's all join hands and make
careful choices for a better tomorrow.

Here are 5 sustainable materials which you can use for your next collection :-

1)Organic Cotton - Cotton is one of the most widely grown crops in the world.Growing
conventional cotton is very chemical intensive.This leads to exploitation of soil,air and
water.Working under the use of these hazardous chemicals has also health hazards.

Contrarily, organic cotton is grown naturally without the use of any artificial agricultural
chemicals, including fertilizers, pesticides, or transgenic technologies. In an effort to ensure
sustainable, ecological, and biodynamic agriculture, it was initially planted in the 1980s. Organic
cotton improves biological cycles and biodiversity, which benefits both the environment and
human health.

To make one t-shirt out of conventional cotton it takes around 2700L of water whereas it takes
around 243L of water to make one t-shirt out of organic cotton.Organic cotton also reduces 94%
of greenhouse gas emission.
Source - Fibre2Fashion

2)Soybean fabric - It is a sustainable fiber made out of soy by products.A sustainable textile
material made from replenishable natural resources is soy fiber. The waste leftovers from the
manufacturing of soybean oil, tofu, and soymilk, which are typically thrown, are actually used to
make the soybean protein fiber. By creating this fiber, an effort is being made to shift textile
production away from petrochemical textiles and repurpose waste into valuable items. The
protein liquids are heated to a high temperature during the wet-spinning process to create the
liquid soy, which is then solidified during the cooling process. Soybean leftovers can be used as
fertilizer or as animal feed. All by-products utilized in the manufacture of soy fiber are safe and
recyclable.

Soy fiber fabrics are environmentally friendly and so plush that some people refer to them as
"vegetable cashmere."

The first use of soybean fabric takes us back to 1938 when Ford wore a soybean blended neck
tie. In 1941, the Detroit Times photographed Ford wearing the first known soybean suit and tie,
made of a blend of soybean "wool" and sheep's wool.

In 1999, a breakthrough in soybean fiber production made the mass manufacturing of soybean
fiber realistic and economically viable. In 2003, the development of this production process was
awarded the gold prize by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This resurgence
in the early 2000s came as a result of an increased interest in the development of more
sustainable natural fibers.

Source - Fashinza

3)Lotus Silk - Lotus silk is claimed to be one of the first natural fibers in the world.It is also
known for its remarkable properties such as soft,lightweight and wrinkle free.

The process of lotus silk production begins in the fields where lotus plants are grown in water.
The fibers are then manually removed, so each strand of Lotus Silk has a distinct texture and
color before being converted into a fine silk filament. The filament is then mostly on handlooms
woven into Lotus Silk fabric.
Source- Shutterstock.com

4) Banana silk - Banana plant stems or stalks are used to create the naturally shiny
fabric known as banana silk. The particular kind of banana is referred to as "Musa
Textilis" and is known for producing inedible fruit. It is a textile that is both robust and
has a brilliant finish, making it very adaptable.

Source - Sustainable fashion collectives

5)Hemp - Hemp fabric is a type of textile that is made using fibers from the stalks of the
Cannabis sativa plant. First the fibers are harvested in a sustainable environment.Then the
fibers are separated from the bark and are allowed to rett in the field for 4-6 weeks.The
separated bast fibers are then carded into strands and are cleaned to remove all
impurities.Then steam explosion is applied to render raw hemp into weavable fiber,after which
hemp is ready to spun and woven into textile.

Source - Himalaya hemp

The study of sustainable textiles is a huge subject to cover.To understand in a much

deeper perspective one must join a professional curriculum.

ESEDS School of design being the first institute in India which focuses on sustainable
techniques and practices. Join us for a life changing experience. At ESEDS we provide
our students with industry ready curriculum. Being the first sustainable college of India we
practice sustainability in each and every aspect. All the projects that our students do or take part
in have a sustainable aspect. Each and every industry is moving towards sustainability and we
provide our students just that. Visit our alluring campus and avail free counseling.

Location 2 nd floor,113 J,Matheswartala Road,Topsia,Kolkata,West Bengal,700046.