6 Sustainable Materials to Lookout For
Move over plastic! These new innovative materials are reimagining the world.
What are sustainable materials?
A sustainable product is an item made with the Earth in mind. This means that its design, materials, and manufacturing methods were created to help rather than hinder our environment. Nowadays, companies are making the switch to producing eco-friendly products, but it can be overwhelming to understand their business models and identify the sourcing of their materials.
Why are sustainable materials necessary?
Sustainable products are built to last, prioritize ethical labor practices, and encourage mindful consumption. Products made out of sustainable materials found in nature, such as bamboo, hemp, and cotton, can quickly return to the Earth without creating waste. In comparison, manufactured materials such as plastic and synthetic fibers have a hard time decomposing and are toxic to the environment.
6 sustainable materials to look out for
Currently, there are three different types of sustainable materials that can be found on Earth. Natural materials come from plants and can be safely disposed of. Materials that can be naturally replenished or infinitely recycled are considered renewable. This allows the material to be used at a rate where it is not depleted with time. Other sustainable materials are materials that are non-toxic and harmless to humans or ecosystems. Currently, some methods of production treat materials with chemicals that have toxic effects that are harmful, healthwise, and disposal-wise. Materials that are non-toxic are the more sustainable option in comparison, even if they are manufactured.
Here are sustainable materials that have become popular in 2023:
Adobe
Adobe is a building material that has been used for centuries. Around the world, adobe is used to build houses, roofs, and pottery. To make adobe, the earth clay material is mixed with water and dung or straw. Once the mixture is applied, it dries into a robust and durable material that can naturally be broken down when disposed of and does not release toxic chemicals or plastic.
Hemp
Hemp is technically a weed, which means that it thrives on its own. For this plant to grow abundantly, there is no need for human intervention, such as supplying water or treating it with pesticides to produce a large yield. Every part of the hemp plant can also be used, resulting in no excess plant waste. Hemp can currently be found in food products, building materials, and fabric.
Pinatex
Pinatex is a plant-based leather made from pineapple. Pinatex's top attribute is that it is made from a waste agricultural byproduct (pineapple leaves), making it a sustainable and low-waste alternative to animal and petroleum-based leather.
Banana leaves
Bananas are a highly renewable resource as they grow abundantly in tropical regions year-round. This means that banana-based materials can be produced without depleting finite resources. Banana plants also have waste once the fruit is harvested. Utilizing banana plants for materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mycelium
Mycelium is the root-like structure of fungi. Mycellium-based products are renewable and sustainable, as these roots would otherwise be discarded. Mycelium-based materials are also biodegradable and can naturally decompose and return to the ecosystem!
Cacti
The Nopal cactus native to Mexico, also known as the prickly pear, has been proven to be an alternative to leather. When manufactured by Desserto®, the slick feel of the fabric they produced was shockingly similar to animal leather. Using the cacti, this company was also able to make materials in a large variety of thicknesses and textures. They are hoping to surpass the demands of the fashion industry with their alternative sustainable materials.
The creativity that has erupted in the recent decade has proven that there are sustainable alternatives to most of the disposable, plastic, toxic products we currently purchase every day. Importantly, these sustainable materials are reimagining how the future of our planet will look for future generations. What is now necessary is a shift in mindsets for consumers to prioritize sustainable materials and products above all else. Together, we can make decisions with the planet in mind and, in turn, change the outcome of our environmental trajectory.
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Key Points
A sustainable product is an item made with the EarthEarth in mind. This means that its design, materials, and the method in which it is manufactured were created to help rather than hinder our environment.
Sustainable products are built to last, prioritize ethical labor practices, and encourage mindful consumption.
Natural materials come from plants and can be safely disposed of. Renewable materials that can be naturally replenished or infinitely recycled are considered renewable. This allows the material to be used at a rate that is not depleted with time. Other sustainable materials are materials that are non-toxic and harmless to humans or ecosystems.
Popular sustainable materials in 2023 are pineapple, mycelium, adobe, cacti, and banana leaves.
