10 Eco friendly alternatives to cotton

The cultivation of conventional cotton uses a large amount of pesticides which can be damaging and dangerous to both the environment and people living or working in the vicinity. As awareness of the environmental issues of the use if pesticides grows so does the list of Eco friendly alternatives to conventional cotton. Whilst each item on the list has it’s own benefits and for some limitations such as the price of production or production capacity, when combined they offer more consumer choice and are another step towards reducing pesticide usage.  

1. Organic cotton - this is cotton grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. It is usually more expensive than conventional cotton.

2. Bamboo - this a sustainable crop that can be made into a very soft and absorbent fabric. Bamboo is a grass and grows quickly without the need for water or pesticides making it a highly sustainable plant.

3. Hemp - a very strong and durable fibre from the plant Cannabis Sativa, that can be made into clothing. The hemp plant is extrmely fast growing.

4. Soy - an incredibly soft and environmentally friendly fiber made from tofu manufacturing waste.

5. Organic wool - organic wool is from sheep that have been raised organically without chemicals. This better for the sheep and the environment.

6. organic linen - fibres from the flax plant that has been grown organically without any pesticides or fertilisers.

7. Fortrel Ecospun - this is a fibre made from recycled plastic containers, it helps to reduce waste and the environmental impacts of growing a crop such as cotton.

8. Nettle - a fabric made using fibres from the stinging nettle plant.

9. Recycled Polyester - a fabric made from Polyester garments that are recycled.

10. Milk Silk - a silk made using milk.