sustainable fibres

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic textile fibres produced using methods that minimise environmental impact across their full lifecycle, including raw material sourcing, processing, dyeing, use, and end-of-life management; sustainable fibres include organic cotton grown without synthetic pesticides, recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles, lyocell (Tencel) produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp in a closed-loop solvent process, hemp and flax requiring minimal water and pesticides, and innovative bio-based materials derived from agricultural waste, algae, and microbial fermentation; the sustainability credentials of any given fibre depend on the specific production system and must be assessed through life cycle analysis, as each fibre involves trade-offs between water use, land use, chemical inputs, energy consumption, and biodegradability