Fashion statement

Your Challenge

Instead of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic and nylon, which come from fossil fuels, could you choose natural fibres when shopping?

Fibres such as organic cotton and hemp have a lower footprint than non-organic cotton and synthetic materials which come from fossil fuels.

If you’re buying new items, look for low-footprint natural options such as organic or recycled materials, but if you’re buying second-hand items this is less of a concern, because second-hand clothing is already low-footprint.

WWF’s shop offers a variety of sustainably sourced T-shirts and clothing. As a My Footprint App user, you can receive an exclusive 10% discount on all merchandise by using the code APP10

Why you're doing this

Many popular fabrics used by ‘fast fashion’ brands derive from fossil fuels (like polyester and nylon) and contain or use harsh chemicals during the production process. They’re designed to be produced cheaply and quickly, and have a short life span.

Natural fibres are made from renewable materials, meaning they can be grown again (unlike fossil fuels). If they are not treated with synthetic coatings (such as waterproofing), they will naturally biodegrade. They can also be recycled.

Choosing natural materials reduces demand for fossil fuels, energy, water and the harsh chemicals used to treat fibres and create products. For example, organic cotton does not allow the use of toxic chemicals or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Producing organic cotton compared to non-organic requires less energy and water, and causes less harmful impact to the soil. ^[1]

How you'll make a difference

There are many benefits to synthetic materials – for example, they are lightweight and can repel water and sweat (making them useful for exercise wear). However, we can all do more to reduce the number of synthetic fibres in our world. We can avoid synthetic materials in favour of natural materials like organic cotton, linen, flax, wool and hemp, and by choosing recycled or organic natural fibres where possible. This will help us all reduce the footprint of our wardrobe. It also sends a message to clothing providers that their customers care about the environment and want them to make lower carbon choices.

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