Where To Find Eco-Friendly Cloth Diapers?

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SUSTAINABLE CLOTH DIAPERS

Whenever we welcome a new baby into our family, we inevitably have to decide what type of diapers we are going to use.

While disposable diapers are incredibly convenient, using them contributes to the global waste crisis we are currently facing. It is actually estimated that, in the United States alone, around 20 billion disposable diapers end up in landfills every year, which is about 3.5 million tons of waste!

Since they are made with synthetic materials, they take hundreds of years to decompose completely. During that time, pathogens are introduced into the environment, polluting the soil and groundwater.

The production of disposable diapers is also very resource-intensive and contributes to air and water pollution. Not only that but most of them also contain harmful substances such as dioxin or phthalates, which may cause health issues in the long run.

Because of those reasons, cloth diapers seem to be the obvious choice for eco-conscious parents who strive to live more sustainably.

However, cloth diapers also have a large environmental footprint. Making them, and then washing them regularly, uses a lot of water and energy. Plus, they can be very poorly made and produced under unethical conditions.

But some studies found that the environmental damage caused by cloth diapers is smaller than that of disposable diapers. What’s more, if we choose more sustainable models, use them for a long time and launder them responsibly, we can easily mitigate their footprint.

This article will help you choose the most sustainable cloth diapers for your baby!

WHAT MAKES CLOTH DIAPERS SUSTAINABLE?

For cloth diapers to be as sustainable as possible, we want them to last for a very long time. And since we are constantly washing them, it is essential to choose high-quality cloth diapers and stay away from fast fashion brands selling their own versions.

They should also be made with sustainable materials and produced ethically by a brand paying its workers a fair living wage.

As mentioned earlier, for cloth diapers to be more eco-friendly, you should also wash them responsibly. So try to only wash them in full loads and make sure to air dry them to save energy. Avoiding the tumble dryer will also make them last a lot longer!

Once your child does not need them anymore, consider reusing them for a future baby, or passing them down to other families.

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?

Some of the most sustainable materials for cloth diapers are organic cotton and hemp. Many ethical brands also use recycled polyester as it has great water-resistant properties, which is what we want for cloth diapers.

If you can, try to choose cloth diapers made with OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics. Fabrics with this label have been rigorously tested for toxic chemicals and they are deemed safe to wear on our skin. That way, you know that your baby is not in contact with harmful substances!

WHERE TO FIND SUSTAINABLE CLOTH DIAPERS?

There are many options available to find sustainable cloth diapers. Some are more budget-friendly than others, but all of these are better for the planet than disposable versions and fast-fashion cloth diapers.

Second-hand cloth diapers

Let’s be honest, new cloth diapers can be expensive. Depending on the age of your baby and how often you do laundry, you probably need between 12 and 36 of them. Since you can easily spend at least $10 per cloth diaper, it is a pretty big upfront investment!

Yes, cloth diapers will make you save tons of money in the long run, but not everyone can afford to pay hundreds of dollars at once, just for a stash of diapers.

So if you are on a tight budget or simply if you prefer to support the second-hand market, consider getting your cloth diapers used.

Some people might not feel comfortable buying such a personal item second-hand, but you can definitely thoroughly clean and sanitize the diapers before using them!

You can buy used cloth diapers that are in good condition for half their retail value, so they are a great investment for your wallet!

Getting second-hand cloth diapers is also better for the planet as it reduces waste and reuses the natural resources that have already been extracted from the Earth.

There are many places where you can find used diapers, such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay. Different second-hand clothing apps like Poshmark also have countless listings! If you are in Europe or the United Kingdom, check if you can find some on Vinted.

Do not forget to ask your friends or family members if they have any unused cloth diapers that you could borrow or buy from them.

Rental services

Another incredibly sustainable option is renting your cloth diapers. If you cannot find what you are looking for second-hand and do not want to buy new ones, renting them is a great alternative!

One of the many benefits of renting cloth diapers is that, as your baby grows, you simply need to return the diapers and choose a larger size. You do not have to worry about reselling the outgrown ones and looking for bigger models afterward.

You can also use rental services if you are not sure whether you want to buy cloth diapers or not and prefer to try them out first.

Many online rental services will ship their (clean) cloth diapers right to your door, and some even offer laundering services! Here are a few that are based in the United States:

Loop by Charlie Banana: Starting at $15 per week, the company will send you a whole stash of cloth diapers and wipes. It can also take care of all the laundry and deliver fresh diapers every week. The diapers are OEKO-TEX certified and climate-neutral!
The Green Tot Spot: You can rent cloth diapers for your newborn or your toddler for around $30 per month. They are made with hemp and organic cotton.
The Natural Baby: This one allows you to rent one-size cloth diapers for 12 weeks for $250 if you choose 28 pieces, or $130 if you only need 14. They also come with reusable wipes, wet bags, and diaper rash cream.

If you live in Canada, make sure to check out the Cloth Diaper Library and Happy Nappy. And for those of you in the United Kingdom, Cloth Nappy Nerds and The Nappy Lady have some great rental programs too.

Sustainable cloth diaper brands

If you are not comfortable getting cloth diapers that have already been used by other babies and prefer to buy new ones, do not worry, you can still find sustainable options!

There are many ethical brands selling new, sustainably made cloth diapers. We have curated 11 of them that we think are worth supporting!

1) GroVia

Materials: Organic Cotton, Hemp, Polyester, Cotton

Price: $12-29 Per Diaper

GroVia has been crafting cloth diapers for the past 15 years. It has a very large selection of all-in-one and hybrid diapers featuring a heavy-duty construction that is built to last.

The brand offers a great size range, with cloth diapers designed for newborns, toddlers, and even larger babies and older kids with special needs.

Its BIG O.N.E. collection has diapers fitting children weighing 35 to 70 lbs!

Many of GroVia’s cloth diapers are made with sustainable materials, like organic cotton and hemp.

Shop GroVia

2) Dyper

Materials: Bamboo, Polyester

Price: $11 Per Diaper

Dyper is a diaper brand offering cloth diapers that are designed to grow with your baby. You can easily adjust them around the waist and legs using their strategically located snaps.

The diaper inner is made from responsibly-sourced bamboo viscose and microfiber, resulting in a very absorbent and soft fabric. The inner is coupled with a waterproof outer layer to prevent blowouts and leaks.

Dyper’s diapers come in a pack of 12 diapers and inserts in the colors gray, yellow and striped. The brand also buys carbon offsets with each purchase, which is a great initiative!

Shop Dyper

3) Charlie Banana

Materials: Hemp, Cotton, Polyester, Tencel Lyocell

Price: $24-28 Per Diaper

Charlie Banana is a female-led brand creating non-toxic cloth diapers that are all certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. They are thoughtfully designed with comfort, leak protection and absorbency in mind.

The brand’s cloth diapers feature incredibly cute styles and prints, such as pirates, cacti or donuts! While there are a few polyester models, you can get some made with a blend of hemp and cotton.

Charlie Banana also has swim diapers with a Tencel lyocell lining.

The company is a member of 1% For The Planet, and it sometimes partners with organizations like WWF or Operation Smile.

Shop Charlie Banana

4) Lighthouse Kids Co.

Materials: Recycled Polyester, Bamboo

Price: $10-27 Per Diaper

Lighthouse Kids Co is an ethical, women-owned business on a mission to make cloth diapering easy and sustainable for all parents.

Its award-winning all-in-one diapers are as easy to use as disposable versions! Their outer shell is made with post-consumer recycled water bottles, and it is paired with a super absorbent OEKO-TEX certified bamboo insert.

These cloth diapers are designed to dry five times faster than conventional ones!

Lighthouse Kids Co also has lovely blowout-proof pocket diapers, available in many styles and colors. The brand makes its diapers in two sizes, including one for chunky babies or toddlers with special needs.

Shop Lighthouse Kids Co.

5) Wink

Materials: Bamboo, TPU, Hemp, Organic Cotton

Price: $17-27 Per Diaper

Wink’s cloth diapers are very cute, featuring adorable designs like feathers, cacti, flowers, or avocados! The company also sells a swim diaper with four different size settings, so it will fit babies from birth to potty training.

The brand’s cloth diapers are made of hemp, organic cotton, TPU or bamboo, and they all come with a 12-month warranty.

Wink also only uses fabrics that carry the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label, so they are completely safe and free of harmful chemicals.

Shop Wink

6) Esembly

Materials: Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyester

Price: $30-33 Per Diaper

Esembly is a women-owned business selling cloth diapers made in the United States from sustainable and high-quality materials.

The brand makes incredibly soft, leak-proof diaper inners that you can pair with a waterproof cover designed in dozens of fun prints and colors. The cover can be used on its own as a swim diaper, which is very convenient.

Available in two different sizes, the inner is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, and the outer cover is produced with post-consumer recycled water bottles.

Esembly even created a platform where you buy second-hand diapers and resell yours when your baby no longer needs them!

Shop Esembly

7) Pooters

Materials: Hemp, Organic Cotton, Merino Wool, Polyester

Price: $39-68 Per Diaper

Pooters has been specializing in the production of sustainably made, high-quality cloth diapers.

Its fitted diapers are made of a blend of hemp and organic cotton. The Overnight Super Soaker model provides protection for more than 12 hours, so your baby (and you) can sleep for longer stretches!

These fitted diapers should be worn with one of the brand’s waterproof covers to prevent leaks and blow-outs. We particularly recommend the Pooters wool shorties, which are made from OEKO-TEX certified merino wool.

Shop Pooters

8) Sloomb

Materials: Bamboo Viscose, Organic Cotton, Hemp, Merino Wool

Price: $15-35 Per Diaper

Sloomb is a lifestyle brand selling all kinds of clothes for adults and kids, home goods, and cloth diapers for our little ones.

Available in five colors, the fitted diapers are super absorbent and soft, and they are made from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. To make the fitted diaper completely leak-proof, pair it with one of the brand’s water-resistant covers.

Their fabric is 100% non-mulesed merino wool, and it is OEKO-TEX certified.

Sloomb has partnered with Trees For The Future to plant one tree for every cloth diaper you purchase.

Shop Sloomb

9) Thirsties

Materials: Organic Cotton, Hemp, Polyester

Price: $15-34 Per Diaper

Thirsties creates eco-friendly cloth diapers in all kinds of styles, sizes and prints. Everything is manufactured in Colorado, and more than 90% of the materials used by the brand are sourced from the United States.

While some cloth diapers are made of polyester, many are produced from organic cotton and hemp. You can choose between all-in-one diapers, pocket ones, swim models, and potty-training pants.

Thirsties offsets all the carbon emissions generated during the transportation process, and it ships its products in recycled mailers. It is also a member of the Green America Green Business Network!

Shop Thirsties

10) Bare & Boho

Materials: Bamboo, Cotton, Hemp, Recycled Polyester

Price: $27-30 Per Diaper

Bare & Boho is an Australian brand working with local artists to create beautiful cloth diapers and accessories for newborns and toddlers. Made from a blend of bamboo and cotton, or hemp and cotton, the diaper inner is designed for maximum anti-leak protection. It comes with a wipeable, water-resistant diaper cover produced from either polyester or GRS-certified recycled polyester (made using post-consumer plastic bottles).

Both the cotton and the recycled polyester used are OEKO-TEX certified.

Bare & Boho has also partnered with TerraCycle to recycle old cloth diapers, so you can send them back at the end of their lives! Plus, the brand ships its products in compostable satchels or recycled and FSC-certified cardboard boxes.

Shop Bare & Boho

11) Smart Bottoms

Materials: Organic Cotton, Hemp, PUL

Price: $22-34 Per Diaper

Smart Bottoms sells high-quality, organic cloth diapers 100% made in the United States. Thanks to their practical snap system, they make changing your baby incredibly easy!

The brand has a huge selection of unique styles, prints and colors. Its all-in-one cloth diapers feature a soft interior made of organic cotton or a blend of hemp and organic cotton.

The organic cotton fabric Smart Bottoms uses is milled in South Carolina, and the other materials are sustainably sourced from factories based in North America. This significantly reduces the carbon emissions created during the transportation process!

Shop Smart Bottoms

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whether you choose to buy cloth diapers second-hand or from a sustainable brand, or if you prefer renting them, all these options are so much better for the planet than buying cloth diapers from fast fashion brands.

They are also so much less wasteful than purchasing disposable diapers, which are not only bad for the environment, but also for your baby!

But it is important to remember that even the most sustainable cloth diapers still have an environmental impact. So try to take good care of them so that they can last for years, and adopt responsible laundering habits!

Once your baby does not need them anymore, do not forget to give your cloth diapers a new life afterward. Consider selling them, giving them away to another family, or reusing them for your future babies.

About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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CUTE & Sexy SUSTAINABLE LINGERIE SETS

We wear underwear every single day on our most intimate body parts. For that reason, it is so important to choose comfortable lingerie that fits our bodies. Who likes wearing uncomfortable panties or bras digging into the skin?

However, comfort is not everything. I believe that wearing pretty undies and bras can positively affect our mood. Of course, they need to be comfortable, but why not add some beautiful, eye-catching details to them? For instance, when I wear fancy lingerie, I feel a lot more confident and attractive during the day.

So if you want to feel extra feminine and empowered, or you wish to surprise your significant other, choose some fancy, lacy lingerie sets!

Unfortunately, the majority of lingerie sets on the market are made unethically, at the cost of the planet. They fall apart after a few wears, and you quickly need to repurchase new ones.

The good news is that you can find undies and bras in line with your values. Many brands are making fancy, more sustainable lingerie sets, produced with workers’ wellbeing in mind.

Stock up your drawers with some gorgeous, lacy lingerie sets from these 10 sustainable brands!

WHAT MAKES A LINGERIE SET ECO-FRIENDLY?

Both the bra and the panties should be made with eco-friendly materials, such as organic, recycled or Oeko-Tex certified fabrics. That way, you are making sure the lingerie is safe for you and the planet.

An eco-friendly lingerie set is always well-made and high-quality so that it lasts through many washes without falling apart.

It is also sweatshop-free, made by workers who are treated with dignity and paid fairly.

WHAT SUSTAINABLE FABRICS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?

Lingerie sets made with natural and biodegradable fabrics are ideal: they are more sustainable and a lot more breathable. You can find beautiful, fancy sets made with organic cotton, bamboo, cotton, or silk.

However, it is not always easy to find pretty, lacy lingerie made with natural materials only. The stretchy part of undies and bras is hard to make without synthetic fabrics, so many sustainable brands still use synthetic fibers to make them.

In this case, prefer recycled options when they are available. The most common ones are recycled nylon, recycled polyamide and recycled polyester.

Some brands also use vintage fabrics: since they are pre-loved, those are inherently sustainable!

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR CUTE, ECO-FRIENDLY LINGERIE SETS:

1) Anekdot

Materials: Recycled Nylon, Nylon, Silk, Organic Cotton

Price: $130-175

Anekdot is a German company that makes women’s lingerie and swimwear, using surplus fabrics left behind by the fashion industry.

The brand sells a great range of lacy lingerie sets that are beautiful and well-made, featuring small decorative details.

They are designed to follow your natural curves in a flattering way.

Anekdot’s lingerie sets are made using certified recycled nylon, nylon or silk. The crotch lining on all the brand’s panties is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.

The company is great at sourcing its materials locally and gets them from off-cuts, end-of-lines, production leftovers and vintage trimmings.

Anekdot’s lingerie sets are limited editions and produced in Berlin, allowing the brand to have a shorter supply chain and to drastically reduce its carbon footprint.

The company also donates 50 cents of each order to a charitable organization. In 2020 and 2021, Anekdot supported Rainforest Rescue, which aims to protect and regenerate tropical rainforests.

Shop Anekdot

2) Uye Surana

Materials: Nylon

Price: $64-84

Uye Surana is a woman-owned lingerie brand based in New York. It has two full lingerie sets, but you can also choose from a variety of matching bras and panties.

Both Uye Surana’s sets feature a sheer black mesh that is adorned with a bold lace trim, ensuring a flirty look. One of these sets even includes a fancy, flowy skirt that will make you feel very attractive!

While Uye Surana’s lingerie sets are made using nylon, the brand stands out from other brands because it is extremely size-inclusive. The company offers sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, and its bras are fully-adjustable: they support 70+ different traditional bra sizes!

The brand’s products are ethically handmade in a small, family-owned factory in Colombia. They are produced in small batches and often in limited editions, which makes sure products are not overproduced and, thus, prevents waste.

Shop Uye Surana

3) Stella McCartney

Materials: Recycled Polyamide, Polyamide

Price: $156-225

Stella McCartney is a renowned British fashion brand that sells clothing for women and men, accessories, perfume, eyewear, as well as kids’ clothes. The brand has a great selection of lingerie sets, crafted from the finest materials, leavers lace and georgette silk chiffon. Most of the bras are adorned with precious lace on the cups and a thin lace trim.

Even though some lingerie sets are still made with polyamide, Stella McCartney has been using more and more recycled polyamide to produce them in a more sustainable way. Its lingerie sets are designed for comfort and style, and they are the ideal pieces to help you embrace your femininity!

The brand is very transparent regarding its environmental impact. In 2021, it became a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which promotes respect for workers’ rights and helps companies to improve their working conditions in their supply chains.

Shop Stella McCartney

4) Cosabella

Materials: Cotton, Polyamide

Price: $84-143

Created 35 years ago by an Italian couple, Cosabella sells feminine lingerie, pajamas and loungewear.

The brand makes various styles of bras and underwear, including fancier ones. Cosabella’s Never Say Never collection has different bras, bralettes, thongs and panties that are all matching each other. You can easily create a gorgeous lingerie set by choosing your favorite pieces!

The Never Say Never collection features a unique floral pattern and innovative lace, and some models are sold in a wide variety of colors. They are all timeless designs that will give you confidence and comfort!

Cosabella’s lingerie pieces are hand-crafted using high-quality polyamide and cotton, and they are made in family-run workshops in Italy.

The skilled artisans that produce Cosabella lingerie use traditional techniques derived from the Renaissance, and a single thong can take up to 10 hours to be made.

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off your purchase

Shop Cosabella

5) Underprotection

Materials: Recycled Polyamide, Recycled Elastane, Recycled Polyester, Lyocell, Organic Cotton

Price: $41-136

Underprotection is a Danish brand making sustainable lingerie, swimwear, loungewear and hosiery using eco-friendly materials only.

It has a huge selection of fancy lingerie sets: you get to choose between multiple styles and colors of bras and their matching panties. Underprotection creates unique designs that feature floral laces and patterns, cute fringes, golden rings, and mesh straps.

Some of the brand’s bras are lovely maternity bras that are perfect for every new mom who wants to feel extra feminine and special.

Underprotection’s lingerie sets are made in Europe using recycled polyamide, recycled elastane, recycled polyester or lyocell, and some of the panties’ gussets are made with organic cotton. All the fabrics are Oeko-Tex certified, meaning that they are safe for you and the environment.

Underprotection is a certified B Corporation, and most of its products are approved vegan by PETA.

Shop Underprotection

6) ColieCo

Materials: Tencel & Recycled Fibers

Price: $24-50

For more than a decade, ColieCo Lingerie has been producing ethically made to order lingerie, underwear and swimwear collections from a wide range of reclaimed, recycled and natural fibre fabrics.

Reaching beyond the stereotypes, ColieCo is committed to demonstrating that sustainable slow fashion can be accessible, affordable and fun.

Shop ColieCo

7) Brighton Lace

Materials: Oeko-Tex Certified Lace, Organic Cotton

Price: $88-96

Brighton Lace is a British brand that sells lingerie made from organic cotton and non-toxic lace. The company has a wide range of lacy lingerie sets. They all look very fancy, delicate and feminine! I love that each set features some unique details, like flowery patterns or fun and bright colors. All Brighton Lace’s lingerie sets are made using Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified laces. The brand’s suppliers are also certified with Oeko-Tex STeP, ensuring that each step of the production process is sustainable.

Brighton Lace’s lingerie is ethically sourced and made in the United Kingdom. The brand uses eco-friendly dyes, and its dyeing process requires 80% less water compared to conventional dyeing.

The company has taken steps to minimize its textile waste as it buys all its fabrics in small batches to avoid any excess. Brighton Lace also reuses its leftover fabric pieces to create small accessories, and it makes the gussets of its lace undies from surplus organic cotton fabric.

Shop Brighton Lace

8) Kat the Label

Materials: Polyester, Cotton

Price: $41-88

Kat The Label is an Australian brand that creates different types of lingerie pieces and sleepwear for women.

The company sells numerous matching lace lingerie sets that are all designed with comfort and perfect fit in mind. You get to choose between various styles, from structured underwire bras to delicate bralettes, each with its matching thongs or panties.

Kat The Label’s lingerie sets are the perfect example of sophistication and femininity. They will make you feel empowered and stylish, and you will adore their eye-catching details, such as satin trimmings and embroidered flowers.

The brand offsets its carbon emissions from shipping and has taken steps to reduce its textile waste. For instance, Kat The Label purchases leftover fabrics from larger brand orders, so that they do not end up in landfills.

Each year, the brand hosts an event to raise funds for Cancer research and awareness.

Shop kat the Label

9) Eco Intimates

Materials: Organic Cotton, Cotton, Silk

Price: $93-135

Eco Intimates is an Australian brand creating luxurious lingerie and sleepwear using natural and organic materials.

The company sells a dozen of lingerie sets that are fancier than your basic underwear sets.

Most of them are made in black or white, but some have a unique, beautiful floral pattern that makes them even more feminine.

You will love the cool details on each lingerie set! These include ribbon bows, broderie lace, frilly edges, and nickel-free metal rings, sliders and hooks.

Eco Intimates’ lingerie sets are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, silk or cotton, which are biodegradable materials. This is very rare, especially for lacy lingerie that tends to be made with synthetic fabrics.

The brand’s collections are handcrafted in small batches by a couple of teams of home-makers in Indonesia, and each order is wrapped in a recyclable and biodegradable material.

Shop Eco Intimates

10) Proof

Price: $43

Not all leak-proof underwear needs to be boring as proven here!

Founded by the three Caden sisters, Proof focuses on covering all kinds of leaks, like period, bladder, maternity and postpartum, sweat, and post-sex - whatever it is, they got you covered.

Proof is paired with the Period Menstrual Movement, Black Women for Wellness, and the High Five Grant for Moms to help further women empowerment throughout the world.

Shop Proof

About the Author

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The Best Vegan Food Blogs

Being vegan definitely doesn’t mean eating a bland bowl of boiled veggies or a limp tasteless salad all the time anymore. If you’re looking to switch to a plant-based diet, or try out some new vegan recipes, the internet is your best friend. Food blogs are the quickest and easiest way to get information, recipes, and tips to start your plant-based journey.

And there is no shortage of vegan food bloggers these days. With the explosion of interest in veganism, the space has become very saturated. Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love to see this. But it can also get very overwhelming, very quickly.

So, how do you know who to follow and who to give a miss? Well, we did the work for you. In this post we’ve shortlisted some of our favorite vegan bloggers that are sure to delight. From Indian to East Asian to Balkan cuisines, from healthy salad and grain bowls to hearty Southern comfort food, and of course a lot of desserts, we’ve got all your bases covered. Happy cooking!

The Benefits of eating Vegan meals:

Environmental Benefits

It should come as no surprise that going vegan is good for the earth. But did you know that research has shown that switching over to a plant-based diet may just be the single biggest way to reduce our impact on the environment? Here’s how:

Reduced carbon emissions: A study published by researchers at the Universtiy of Oxford found that we can cut our individual carbon footprint by a whopping 73% if we cut meat and dairy from our diets. And producing plant-based meats can result in 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing conventional meat.
Reduced energy consumption: Plant-based sources of protein like nuts and beans require much less processing than meat, making them a much more energy-efficient alternative.
Reduced water usage: We can reduce our individual water footprint by 55% by switching to a vegan diet.
Preventing deforestation: Animal agriculture is a major cause of mass deforestation. The Good Food Institute estimates that a plant-based meat can use up to 99% less land than regular meat. If all of us switched over to vegan diets, up to 75% of the world’s farmland can be saved.

Health Benefits

It’s a total myth that you can’t get enough protein from a vegan diet. There are plenty of delicious, nutritious sources of plant-based protein: Tofu, lentils, seitan, beans, and nuts, to name a few. And studies have shown that a vegan diet actually has an amazing number of health benefits:

Better heart health: Plant-based diets have been shown to lowering cholesterol levels in your body, which can help prevent heart disease.
Reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Going vegan can lower your blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
Lower risk of certain kinds of cancer: According to the National Cancer Institute, eating higher quantities of plant-based foods can reduce your risk of several types of cancers. This includes stomach, lung, mouth, throat, and colon cancers.
A balanced diet, rich in nutrients: Plant-based diets tend to be more balanced overall. They provide more antioxidants and fiber, and are rich in potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E.
Reduced pain from arthritis: Some preliminary studies suggest that vegan diets may help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness). However, further research is needed to establish this claim.

What we love to see:

All food bloggers are not created equal. Here are some things we looked out for when creating our list of favorite vegan food bloggers!

A personal touch. We’re big fans of bloggers who’s dishes are inspired by their backgrounds and cultural heritage. It’s also great to see bloggers who talk about their own personal experiences into veganism and the challenges they faced along the way. It makes their content real, more relatable, and definitely inspirational!
Beautiful photography. If the photo isn’t beautiful, no one wants to try the recipe. The blogs we’ve selected provide some high-class food porn.
Health first! We love bloggers who go beyond just ticking off the “vegan” box from their checklist. We’re all about nourishing recipes that celebrate whole, fresh foods and seasonal, local produce.
Easy-to-follow recipes. Let’s be real. As much as we would love to, we don’t always have time to cook an elaborate meal. Sometimes we just want a quick dish that we can throw together after a long day at work.

Now, our top picks for vegan bloggers to follow:

1) Veggiekins

Creator: Remy Park

Instagram: @veggiekins

For: Vegan recipes and lifestyle

What we love: Remy’s blog is all about holistic wellness, with recipes that are nourishing for your body and mind (many inspired by East Asian flavors), as well as tips and tricks for non-toxic living. If you need some inspiration to get you back on your plant-based kick, head over to her Instagram page. Plus, her aesthetic is on point. Easily one of the most beautiful blogs on this list! *chef’s kiss*

Our picks: Avocado Green Goddess Salad with Miso Dressing, Black Sesame Smoothie, and Hojicha Panna Cotta

Visit Veggiekins

2) Heartful Table

Creator: Maša Ofei

Instagram: @heartfultable

For: Balkan-inspired dishes

What we love: A lot of Maša’s recipes are inspired by her Slovenian, Serbian, and Croatian roots. Her plant-based versions of traditional Balkan dishes are so different from the usual vegan recipes out there.

Our picks: Spinach Pie with ‘Ricotta’, Cherry Strudel with Cream Cheese, and Stuffed Peppers (Posne Punjene Paprike)

Visit Heartful Table

3) The Full Helping

Creator: Gena Hamshaw

Instagram: @thefullhelping

For: Healthy vegan recipes

What we love: Gena is a registered nutritionist and her plant-based recipes are super nourishing and wholesome. We’re obsessed with her clean, minimalist aesthetic. Each dish is a work of art, with fresh, vibrant colors and beautiful photography. It was hard to pick just a couple of favorites for this one!

Our picks: Broccoli Tabbouleh, Apple Cinnamon Waffles, and Miso Butter Brussels Sprouts

Visit The Full Helping

4) Chocolate Covered Katie

Creator: Katie Higgins

Instagram: @chocolatecoveredkatie

For: Healthy desserts

What we love: The name says it all. Katie’s deliciously decadent desserts leave little to be desired. And the best part? They’re all made with healthy, plant-based ingredients — you can now have cake for breakfast, totally guilt-free. Ooh la la!

Our picks: Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Workout Brownies, and Vegan Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

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5) Vegan Richa

Creator: Richa Hingle

Instagram: @veganricha

For: Indian-inspired vegan meals

What we love: Richa’s easy-to-follow Indian dishes are colorful and bursting with flavor. All vegan, of course, she also has some great gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

Our picks: Cauliflower Tikka Masala, Turmeric Lemon Rice, and Ethiopian Inspired Mushroom Tibs Stir Fry

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6) Wallflower Kitchen

Creator: Aimee Ryan

For: Vegan British food

What we love: Check out Wallflower Kitchen (aka the Great British Vegan Cookbook) for vegan takes on some British classics. Think Shepherds pie, afternoon tea, and Sunday roasts.

Our picks: Scones with Clotted Cream, Vegan Shortbread, and Pie with Creamy Leeks and Mushrooms.

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7) Veganosity

Creators: Linda and Alex

Instagram: @veganosity

For: Southern & Midwestern vegan comfort food

What we love: If you’re looking for some hard-core comfort food, look no further. This mother-daughter duo has exactly what you need, from vegan barbeques to cornbread to mac and cheese. They also have a ton of recipes starring innovative meat replacements, so if you’re in the mood for something meaty and hearty, this one is for you.

Standout recipe: Pulled BBQ Carrots, Chicken & Waffles, and Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

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8) The Curious Chickpea

Creator: Eva Agha

Instagram: @thecuriouschickpea

For: Indian-inspired recipes

What we love: Half Sindhi and half American, Eva brings her multicultural background into her kitchen. Her Indian dishes are to die for, but we also love that she experiments with recipes inspired by other cultures, from Ethiopian to Thai to Italian. If you’re interested in the science behind her recipes, definitely check out her blog too.

Our picks: Tamarind Red Lentil Soup, Vegan Sheekh Kebabs, and Baingan (eggplant) Bharta.

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9) The Colorful Kitchen

Creator: Ilene Godofsky Moreno

Instagram: @thecolorfulkitchen

For: Plant-based recipes

What we love: Ilene’s vibrant dishes are sure to brighten up your kitchen. She’s a certified health coach and food photographer — a winning combination for a food blog!

Our picks: Vegan Raw Pad Thai Salad, Creamy Golden Milk Turmeric Overnight Oats, and Vegan Maple-Mustard Apple & Sweet Potato Melt

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10) The Green Loot

Creator: Kate

For: Vegan food guides

What we love: This is a great one for newbies. Kate’s vegan guides are super useful if you’re just getting started on your plant-based journey (or maybe you just need a quick refresher!). Her recipes are easy to follow, and of course, delicious.

Our pick: The 2021 Vegan Guide

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11) Minimalist Baker

Creator: Dana Shultz

Instagram: @minimalistbaker

For: Simple, plant-based recipes

What we love: Although not exclusively plant-based, this blog has some incredible vegan options (which are clearly marked). The USP? Each recipe falls into one of three categories: 10 ingredients of less, 1 bowl, or 30 minutes or less to prepare. So if you’re looking for a quick, simple, and tasty option, check out this one!

Our picks: Toasted Coconut Pancakes, Mint Chocolate Chip Icecream, and Charred Serrano White Bean Dip

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About the Author

Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.

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Your Ultimate Guide to the Ethics of Chocolate

I’ve been a chocolate addict my whole life; one of my earliest memories is from when I was around three years old, rattling the bars of my crib after waking from my nap and waiting impatiently for my older sister to come back with the chocolate biscuits that I’d sent her on a mission to the kitchen to fetch for me.

When I was younger my cravings were satisfied by regular mass produced chocolate, but over the years as I became more aware of some of the ethical issues connected with chocolate, I started to be more conscious of which types of chocolate I bought and consumed. Just like anything in life, once you lift the curtain and learn about how something is made and who’s at the bottom of the supply chain, it’s hard to go back.

As we dive into the details of where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and some of the ethical concerns connected with chocolate, I’ll explain some of the key chocolate terms that you need to know if you want to navigate the delicious world of sustainable chocolate like a pro.

Where does chocolate come from?

Chocolate is produced from the seeds of the pod-shaped fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree, which is native to the rainforests of Central and South America, varieties of which grow along the equator in tropical climates with high humidity and rainfall.

The seeds or “beans” found inside the cacao tree fruit are called cacao. All chocolate starts out as cacao, but it’s a lengthy and complex process that takes the beans and turns them into a bar of chocolate; the original fruit doesn’t taste much like the chocolate flavors you’re used to eating. Once the cacao beans have been processed, the product you’re left with is generally referred to as cocoa, which is the main ingredient in chocolate.

The geographical location where the cacao trees that provided the beans used in a specific chocolate bar were grown is referred to as the terroir or origin. Just like with fine wine, the soil quality has a huge impact on the natural flavors of the beans, and chocolate lovers who have developed their palates can taste a distinct difference between chocolate made with beans from different places.

There are various different varieties of cacao tree, all which produce beans which have distinct flavors and are grown in different areas of the world. The most common is the Forastero variety, the most disease-resistant type of cacao and therefore the most easily cultivated. It is estimated that around 70 percent of the world’s chocolate is made from beans sourced in West Africa, mostly of the Forastero variety. Criollo and Trinitario beans tend to be more rare, and are generally grown in the Caribbean, while perhaps the most rare variety of cacao of them all, Nacional, is predominantly cultivated in Ecuador and other parts of South America and Peru.

How is chocolate made?

There are quite a few steps in the process of turning a raw cacao bean into the chocolate that most of us consume: after harvesting the beans, they are fermented for several days, a process which leaves the beans with a sweeter flavor than the initially pretty bitter-tasting fruit. The beans are then dried, before being roasted to bring out their rich chocolatey aromas. After this, the beans are passed through a winnowing machine to remove the thin outer shell (which some chocolate makers preserve and use to make crunchy cacao nibs), and are then ground into a paste called chocolate liquor. The cocoa butter (the fatty part of the cocoa) can then be separated from the cocoa in a process sometimes called pressing or conched, ground, aged, tempered, and molded into its final form—the exact process varies from maker to maker, and this is where much of the magic happens.

It’s worth noting that a chocolate maker is someone who takes the raw ingredient, i.e. cacao beans, and processes it to produce chocolate. A Chocolatier (not to be confused with a chocolate maker) is someone who takes this chocolate, melts it, combines it with other ingredients, and crafts the filled or flavored chocolates you would expect to see when you’re buying a box of chocolates rather than a bar.

Chocolate’s connection with slavery, past and present

Throughout history, cacao has always been a highly sought-after commodity; it has been traced back 5,300 years ago to the ancient Mayo-Chinchipe culture in the upper Amazon region of Ecuador. And, as unfortunately tends to be the case with precious resources, the story of chocolate is riddled with devastating abuses of power that echo across centuries, transcending even the rise and fall of civilizations.

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés seems to have been the first European to realize the value of the cacao bean while on his hunt for fabled Aztec gold in Mexico in the 16th century. Cortés was subsequently instrumental in the destruction of the Aztec Empire, and helped establish a network of plantations (using slave labor, of course) across Central America and the Caribbean, growing commodities like cacao, sugar, and coffee.

Chocolate rapidly grew in popularity in Europe amongst the nobility, and became a popular confection for the masses after the invention of the first chocolate bar by J. S. Fry & Sons in Bristol, England, in 1847. Northern Europe’s temperate climate offered ideal conditions for the craft of chocolate-making, with countries like Belgium and Switzerland developing an international reputation for making luxury chocolate; the human rights abuses happening far away in the tropical climes where cacao trees grew were out of sight and out of mind for many consumers, as is still largely the case these days.

Today, the average African cacao farmer only makes around $0.50-$0.84 a day. According to the Cocoa Initiative, an estimated 30,000 children and adults were subjected to forced labor somewhere in the cocoa supply chain over the five year period between 2013-2017.

Deforestation has become commonplace in areas of high poverty where cocoa farmers are being pushed to their limits; because they’re paid so little for their crops, in many cases growers are chopping down other areas of woodland and rainforest to grow more cacao trees, hoping that a high volume will help them make a living. Sadly, this is detrimental to the biodiversity of the regions where cacao is grown.

What makes sustainable chocolate different?

As with anything in the sustainability world, chocolate brands should have a transparent supply chain, ensure fair wages for their cacao growers, and take steps to minimize their environmental impact.

Sustainable or craft chocolate also tends to be better quality and contain fewer (if any) additives; most cheap chocolate contains high levels of emulsifiers, vanilla, palm oil, soy lecithin, and other flavorings and preservatives.

There are various methods of ethical cacao bean sourcing, and a few phrases you might come across include:

Bean-to-bar, which describes chocolate that has been made from the beans to the bar by the chocolate maker who sells the finished product. Because bean-to-bar makers handle the whole process, they often source their beans directly from the growers which hopefully means greater transparency for you as a consumer. Though, just like with anything, be aware that the label bean-to-bar doesn’t necessarily guarantee that they paid fair wages for the beans.
Fair trade generally means fair wages and ethical working practices were used in the sourcing of the beans. Look out for the official Fairtrade certification if you want to make sure an external organization has checked behind-the-scenes of the brand in question (though be aware that to get Fairtrade certification can be costly, so isn’t necessarily the answer for every farmer or grower).
Direct trade isn’t a certification, but loosely describes a method of sourcing beans directly from the growers without any middlemen. If a chocolate brand trade directly with cacao bean growers, expect evidence that they’re paying these growers higher than average rates for their beans and that they can provide in-depth information about working conditions, lack of child labor, and the location of their growers.
Single estate or single origin chocolate means chocolate that has been made using beans from one single origin rather than mixing together beans from various different sources. Not only does this make for better tasting chocolate, it also tends to mean that there’s more transparency than usual—though it’s certainly no guarantee, so as always, make sure you check.
Raisetrade chocolate is a certification that ensures chocolate is produced from the tree to the bar in its country of origin, the country where the cacao beans were grown. Ethical chocolatiers will sometimes use Raisetrade chocolate to make their filled or luxury chocolate-box chocolates.

As well as some of these labels and terms, you might also see chocolate being referred to as “organic”. As with other types of food, you need to check whether or not it is certified and what that certification means and keep an eye out for greenwashing, but generally organic certification means that the cacao trees weren’t treated with pesticides and were grown with more sustainable methods.

To a certain extent, however, chocolate will sadly never be 100 percent sustainable for anyone who doesn’t live in a cacao growing region on the equator because of the air miles and carbon footprint involved in getting it to us. That being said, there are definitely many great brands that are as sustainable as possible, creating chocolate that’s so delicious your taste buds won’t want to go back to the less sustainable versions you used to be hooked on. Not only is this type of chocolate better for people and the planet, it also tends to be healthier and is best savored slowly with just a few satisfying bites at a time, encouraging you to eat less, but better of your favorite sweet treat.

Five sustainable chocolate brands

Finally, here are a few of the best American-made small batch sustainable chocolate brands to try next time you want to treat yourself or a fellow chocolate-appreciating loved one.

Click - here - for 15 Fair Trade Chocolate Brands

1) Askinosie Chocolate

Askinosie Chocolate is a single origin craft chocolate company based in Missouri, sourcing all of their beans directly from the growers and ensuring fair wages. They describe their values as being “fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact, and community enhancement”, and they back up this promise with a Transparency Report which details the “farm gate” price they’ve paid their farmers for their beans over the first decade of their business.

2) Dandelion Chocolate

Dandelion Chocolate is small batch, single origin bean-to-bar chocolate made in San Francisco. One of the original makers on the American craft chocolate scene, Dandelion use beans that they source directly themselves from makers, and they only use two ingredients in their chocolates—cocoa and organic sugar—using beans from one location at a time so that you can taste the different flavors that each terroir has to offer. As they explain, “We work closely with the producers who grow, ferment, and dry the single-origin cocoa beans we source, so we can be confident we’re sharing some of the best and most distinctive cocoa with you.”

3) Fruition Chocolate Works

Fruition Chocolate Works is a small batch craft chocolate brand with a great reputation (and over 70 awards to date under their belt). With headquarters in New York, they have close links with their cocoa suppliers and make sure that all of the farms that they work with use organic and either Fair Trade or Direct Trade principles. They reportedly pay “double to triple the average commodity price” for their cacao.

4) TCHO

TCHO is a California-based certified B Corporation embracing radical transparency in their supply chains. They are committed not just to providing fair wages for their growers on the ground, but also to investing in better infrastructure, training, and tools to help cacao farmers produce better quality (and therefore more valuable) cacao. Their range of chocolate includes vegan-friendly plant-based bars. They also have a brilliant guide to the range of tastes you can expect to find in different cacao beans from a variety of regions, which is well worth checking out if you want to understand how origin affects taste as you develop your chocolate palate.

5) Ritual Chocolate

Ritual Chocolate source their cacao from growers and cooperatives that prioritize sustainability, maintaining ecosystems as they grow and farm so that biodiversity is encouraged rather than harmed. Based in Utah, the factories where they make their small batch chocolate use LED lights, and Ritual packaging is either recyclable or compostable.

About the Author

Sophie Caldecott is a freelance writer living in a cottage on the edge of the moor in the South-West of England. She writes about grief, empathy, ethical fashion, and the things that connect us and make us human. You’ll most likely find her cozied up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book.

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The Coolest Innovative Fabrics in Sustainable Fashion

Whether you are shopping for new clothes online or in a mall, you probably always come across clothing made from the same materials: polyester, cotton, nylon, wool, leather...

If you are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to those, the clothes you may be picking might be made of linen, organic cotton, recycled polyester or hemp.

But how many times did you find a clothing item made from pineapples, cacti or bananas? How about textiles made with mushrooms or algae?

Yes, all of those alternatives do exist! Not only are they very innovative and unique, but they are also great sustainable options!

You might have never come across any of these fabrics yet, but more and more brands have started using them to create eco-friendly products.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 17 innovative fabrics that are making the fashion industry more sustainable. Let’s discover how cool they are!

WHY ARE THESE FABRICS INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE?

All the fabrics we are mentioning in this article are fascinating discoveries that, in one way or another, are made more sustainably.

Many of them are made using by-products of certain industries, meaning that products that would have been discarded are turned into brand new fabrics. It reduces waste and does not increase the demand for new resources to be extracted from the Earth.

The production process of these innovative fabrics is also generally gentler for the planet. For instance, it may use a lot less water and fewer chemicals than most conventional fabrics. It may release fewer CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Some of these fabrics are recycled textiles, and others are artificially made in a lab. Although a few of them are partly produced with synthetic materials, they are overall a lot more sustainable than synthetic textiles.

No matter which one you want to try, you can feel good about buying one of these innovative fabrics!

SUSTAINABLE FABRICS THAT ARE REVOLUTIONIZING THE FASHION INDUSTRY

1) Apple leather

Apple leather is a bio-based material made using apple by-products from the juice industry.

When apples are pressed to create juice, we are left with apple pomace and peels. Those by-products contain a lot of cellulose content, which is great for producing new fabrics!

To do so, apple pomace is reduced to a powder, and once it has been processed, it is combined with a synthetic material, polyurethane. The final result is what we call apple leather.

Apple leather is soft and durable, and has a much lower environmental footprint compared to cowhide leather. It is often used to produce shoes and small accessories like wallets or handbags.

Allégorie, Oliver Co., Veerah and Samara are a few brands using apple leather to design beautiful, sustainable products.

2) Leaf leather

Leaf leather is a plant-based leather alternative made from tree leaves (generally Teak leaves). It is strong and water-resistant, and the leather features the natural design of leaves, making it unique and beautiful.

To produce leaf leather, fallen Teak leaves are collected and no trees are harmed to do so. The leaves are soaked in water, dyed and laid flat together to dry.

The drying process bonds them, which leaves us with a large sheet of leaf material that is then mended with cotton fabric. Before it can be sewn into accessories, a thin BOPP film is applied to make the fabric waterproof and more durable.

Tree Tribe and Jungley both create cool wallets, bags and journals out of leaf leather.

3) Vegea

Vegea, also known as wine leather, is a fabric made from leftover grape skins from winemaking, vegetable oils as well as other natural fibers from the agroindustry.

It is estimated that for every 10 liters of wine produced, 2.5 liters of waste are created. Thankfully, this waste can be upcycled into one square meter of wine leather!

To produce Vegea, the grape marc, which consists of grape skins, stalks and seeds, has first to be dried. After this step, it is combined with vegetable oil and water-based polyurethane. The mix creates a bio-based material that is coated into a fabric. The production process excludes toxic chemicals, dangerous solvents and heavy metals.

Some great brands that use Vegea are Ganni and Pangaia.

4) Mushroom leather

Mylo, or mushroom leather, is a vegan leather alternative developed by the company Bolt Threads and designed to have a minimal environmental impact. It is made from mycelium, which is the branching underground root system of mushrooms.

Bolt Threads uses mycelium cells and makes them grow on beds of organic matter in a vertical farming facility that is 100% powered by renewable energy.

Together, the cells form an interconnected 3D network that is then processed by the company. It is tanned and dyed, transforming it into a leather-like material.

Mylo is soft, supple and durable, which makes it ideal to use in the fashion industry. Sustainable brand Stella McCartney recently launched a bustier top and trousers that are the first-ever garments made from Mylo.

5) Piñatex

Pineapple leather, or Piñatex, is an innovative natural textile made from pineapple leaf fiber, which is an agricultural waste product.

When pineapples are harvested, their leaves are collected and the long fibers are extracted with special machines. After they are washed, the fibers are dried and they go through a purification process to eliminate impurities.

The fluff-like pineapple leaf fiber that is left is mixed with a corn-based polylactic acid and transformed into a non-woven mesh called Piñafelt. Finally, the Piñafelt is colored using GOTS-certified pigments and coated with a resin made from polyurethane to make it even more durable and waterproof.

Piñatex has been used by over 1,000 brands, including Svala and No Saints. The company that manufactures Piñatex, Ananas Anam, is a certified B Corporation.

6) Nettle fiber

Made from nettle plants, nettle fiber was already used by humans during the Bronze Age.

Over the centuries, the use of nettle fibers to make clothes was very popular, but it quickly declined when we started using cotton as an alternative, which was easier and more convenient to grow.

However, clothes made from nettle fibers are more sustainable than those made of cotton, because nettles need less water and pesticides to grow.

Nettle fibers are extracted from the nettle plant stem and are then carded and spun. This process creates a strong cord that can be used to produce ropes and fishing nets, or when blended with cotton or wool, to create clothing.

Pangaia has an entire denim collection made from wild Himalayan nettle!

7) Orange fiber

Did you know that each year, 110 to 120 million tons of citrus waste are generated around the world? An Italian company, Orange Fiber, decided to do something about it and created a sustainable fabric made from orange juice by-products.

To produce orange fiber, the company uses hundreds of thousands of tons of orange waste. It extracts the cellulose from the peels using its patented process and turns it into a fiber that is spun into yarn.

Then, it is woven into a silk-like fabric that is soft and lightweight. It can also be shiny or opaque depending on the final use.

Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo launched in 2017 a capsule collection of women’s wear made from citrus by-products in collaboration with Orange Fiber.

8) Cactus leather

Cacti are amazing plants! They regenerate the soil naturally, help prevent soil erosion and desertification, and they can absorb carbon dioxide up to 30% of their body mass. But they can also be turned into sustainable fabrics!

Developed in Mexico, cactus leather is made from Opuntia Cactus, also called Nopal. Only the mature leaves of cacti are harvested, meaning that no cacti are harmed in the process. Cacti also need very little water to grow, and there is no need for artificial irrigation or pesticides.

After the leaves are cut, they are mashed and dried for a few days. They are then mixed with non-toxic chemicals, and finally, attached to a backing.

More and more brands are designing products with cactus leather, including Allégorie, Miomojo and KEVA.

9) ECONYL®

Fishing nets have been made from nylon for more than 50 years now, and they are the biggest source of large plastic pollution in the oceans.

Thankfully, the brand Aquafil found a way to upcycle and reuse abandoned fishing nets! It created ECONYL®, a sustainable fabric made of recycled nylon yarn from fishing nets, textile production scraps and other synthetic waste.

Thanks to a regeneration and purification process, the nylon is recycled back to its original purity. It is then processed into yarns and other polymers. The final material, ECONYL®, can be recycled infinitely, without losing its quality.

Producing ECONYL® lowers the global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% compared to making conventional nylon.

Patagonia, Stella McCartney, Girlfriend Collective and Peony all have products made from ECONYL®.

10) Parblex

Parblex is an innovative bioplastic made using potato waste and developed by the company Chip[s] Board.

The company does not disclose much information about its exact production process, but it involves different steps like fermentation, purification, and then polymerization.

Parblex is made from potato peelings, and it is mixed with other agricultural waste, such as wood flour or walnut shells, to strengthen it and give it a certain texture and color.

The material is biodegradable and recyclable, and Chip[s] Board does not use any toxic resins or chemicals derived from oil to produce it. It also reincorporates offcuts back into the production process.

The bioplastic has already been used by the eyewear brand Cubitts London, and to make buttons by Isabel Fletcher.

11) Algae-based textile

Over the past few years, different companies, like Algaeing, have been revolutionizing the fashion industry by developing fabrics and dyes made from algae.

Algaeing works with another company, Algatech, which grows algae using vertical farming, meaning that algae are grown indoors in vertical stacks using solar energy and seawater.

Algaeing is then able to convert algae into a liquid that can be used as a textile dye. By adding cellulose to the liquid, the company is also able to create fibers for the textile industry.

The production process is energy efficient and free of hazardous chemicals. We also need 80% less water to produce algae-based fibers compared to the production of cotton.

A few brands using algae in their products are Hylo Athletics, Dr.Scholl’s Shoes and Pangaia.

12) Mango leather

In the United States, about 20% of mangoes in grocery stores are discarded, not to mention the huge quantities that are wasted before they even arrive on the supermarket shelves.

Thankfully, some brands are taking action to reduce the number of wasted mangoes by turning them into new products. After sourcing discarded mangoes, these companies de-seed and pulp the fruit.

Then, they mix it with a binding agent, water-based polyurethane, and pour the mix into large trays, before screeding the surface to make it smoother.

When it is dry, the material is colored and waterproofed. The whole process is eco-friendly, and it creates a strong leather-like material, mango leather.

Allégorie uses mango leather to create their beautiful products.

13) Lyocell (Tencel)

Lyocell is a type of rayon that has been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more brands have been making clothing from it. There are different kinds of lyocell, the most famous one being Tencel.

Tencel is made from eucalyptus trees sourced from sustainably managed forests. The fibers are harvested, pulped, and mixed with a solvent, before being dried using a process called spinning. The mixture is pushed through small holes to create threads, it is chemically treated and the fibers are then spun into yarn.

Tencel is made in a closed-loop system in which water and solvents are recycled.

If you are looking for clothing made from Tencel, TAMGA Designs, Saint Basics, Amour Vert and Eileen Fisher all have products made with this awesome material!

14) Biofabricated leather

This biofabricated leather created by the company Modern Meadow is one of the most intriguing materials on this list!

Modern Meadow makes its one-of-a-kind lab-grown material from collagen. More specifically, it grows a strain of yeast that produces collagen, which is a protein we can find in the skin.

The collagen is then purified, pressed into sheets and tanned, all without using animal products or toxic chemicals. The final material is very similar to cowhide leather, but it is stronger, thinner, lighter, more versatile and sustainable.

The biofabricated leather made by Modern Meadow is not accessible yet. But thanks to all its beneficial properties, this unique material deserves recognition and its future looks promising.

15) Lotus fabric

Made from the lotus flower, lotus fabric looks like a blend of silk and linen, and it is breathable and wrinkle-resistant, which makes it ideal for clothes and accessories. It is also soft to the touch, stain-resistant and 100% waterproof.

The production process of lotus fabric is inspired by ancient techniques. It is sustainable and very time-consuming since it is done by hand.

Once the stems of the lotus flowers are harvested, workers delicately extract the microfibers from the stems by hand. The fibers are then dried, and they are carefully rolled into a thread that will be used to weave clothing.

You can find beautiful clothes and accessories made from lotus flowers at Jungley and Lotus Paradis.

16) Spinnova fabric

Finnish company Spinnova created a sustainable fiber made from wood, agricultural waste & textile waste, by observing how spiders spin their webs.

The production process of Spinnova fabric uses 99% less water than cotton production, generates minimal emissions, and does not involve toxic chemicals.

To produce this fabric, the company starts by refining cellulose made of FSC-certified wood. The pulp then flows through a nozzle at high pressure, where the fibers rotate and align with the flow. After that, the fibers are dried and collected, before being spun into yarn.

The resulting fabric is 100% biodegradable and recyclable, which means that it is made in a closed-loop system.

The North Face, Bergans and Marimekko partnered with Spinnova to launch their own collections made of Spinnova fabric.

17) Banana fiber

Used since the 13th century, banana fiber is an eco-friendly fabric that has been slowly but surely revolutionizing the fashion industry.

Banana fiber is made from a banana tree’s stems and stalks. The stems are actually a by-product of the banana tree because they are generally discarded when the fruits are harvested, which can only be done once in the tree’s lifetime.

There are different production methods, but the most usual one involves stripping off the sheaths of the banana stem, layer by layer until we are left with only the fibers. Then, the fibers are dried, and finally, they are knotted together using a twisting technique.

If you are looking for clothing made of banana fiber, Milo+Nicki and Valani have everything you need.