For Every Wardrobe: Sustainable Leggings

 

Leggings are typically one of the articles of apparel that customers discard. Leggings can soon lose their luster owing to damaged seams, fading of the cloth, or lack of stretchiness. Without convenient access to local recycling programs, many customers simply dump their old leggings in the garbage, which is subsequently disposed of or burnt. 

As the popularity of leggings expanded in the 1960s and 1970s, so did the need for clothes in general. Globally, we currently use around 80 billion new articles of apparel each year, which is approximately 400% more than we did only two decades ago. Clothing is no longer lasting as long as it used to due to inferior quality fabrics being worn at a much faster rate, and pants and 'basics' constitute a significant part of the problem. We are currently disposing of clothing at an alarming rate. Every year, the average American creates 82 pounds of textile trash. This amounts to more than 11 million tonnes of textile waste from the United States alone.

Polyester, nylon, spandex, and non-organic cotton are the most often used fabrics for leggings. Cow's leather or imitation leather is commonly used for leather leggings, generally with a synthetic lining. Except for cotton, all of these materials can take 40–200 years to disintegrate in landfills. These materials decay, releasing hazardous chemicals into the earth and contaminating rivers, as well as greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. 

What Kinds of Eco-Friendly Materials Should You Seek in Leggings?

Looking for fabrics that are more responsibly produced than the ones described above is one approach to ensure that the womens sustainable leggings you buy are more sustainable. A material's ability to be classified as sustainable (or at least more sustainable) depends on a variety of criteria. For example, if a material can be manufactured with significantly less water or energy, or if it contains no harmful compounds. 

When it comes to leggings, natural organic fibers, and recycled fabrics are often the most environmentally friendly options. Organic cotton, bamboo (including bamboo rayon or bamboo viscose), and Tencel are all natural fibers that may be found in sustainable leggings. Leggings made from recycled materials might be made from nylon, polyester, rayon, or spandex. Some leggings may also contain recycled elastane, which is the substance that gives leggings their elasticity. 

If you pick recycled synthetic fiber leggings, keep in mind that they still shed microplastics, therefore wash them with a Guppyfriend or Cora Ball to trap the fibers. 

If you want to help your clients figure out how to choose leggings size then check out more blogs!