Types of eco-friendly fabrics and examples in Japan

Have you paid attention to the materials of your clothing and other fabric products? Choosing from sustainable brands is one good option when searching for eco-friendly fashion as a better option for the environment. However, knowing more about fabrics may help you make a better choice.

Here is a list of eco-friendly fabrics in Japan to help you shop more sustainably.

Washi

Washi is traditional Japanese paper, commonly handmade with the inner bark of native trees and plants. In general, washi is tougher and more durable than usual paper. Taking advantage of its special characteristics, washi fabric was born. It is not only biodegradable but also light, highly absorbent and breathable.

Although the washi fabric market is still small, it is expected to keep growing as a new option for sustainable materials.

Learn more about washi

・Japan brings back washi as circular papermaking with original technology

Brands using washi

・Biodegradable washi clothing brand launches next sustainable fashion cycle

Organic cotton

Cotton is a natural material and seemingly environmentally friendly, however, its conventional cultivations cause a high environmental impact by using a large amount of water and agrochemicals. In addition, there are human rights issues such as poor working conditions and child labor.

Organic cotton emerges as a more environmentally-friendly option to address these issues. There are various organic cotton certifications worldwide, each with its standards for environmental impact and working conditions. Understanding the standards for each certification is important to make a better choice.

Learn more about organic cotton

・What does GOTS-certified cotton mean?
・Are cotton T-shirts a sustainable product?

Brands using organic cotton

・4 hidden treasures of organic cotton fashion brands in Japan
・5 Organic cotton fashion brands to discover in Japan
・Safe and gentle, ethical baby clothing brands from Japan
・Pristine’s tenugui towels pave future for Japanese organic cotton
・‘Live Love Cotton Project’ By Felissimo releases new organic cotton collection

・People Tree is back in global Organic September movement
・JAPAN DENIM and the commitment to Japan sustainable fashion
・What is an example of established sustainable fashion brand in Japan?
・Botanical dyed Japanese baby clothes for infants Ima+Mirai
・Pristine’s emergency kit offers resource for women against disasters
・Haruulala improves name tags to create sustainable baby clothes
・No more plastic waste with reusable food wrap Good Wrap!
・Aco Wrap, an eco-friendly, sustainable and reusable beeswax food storage

Hemp

Hemp is durable, breathable and suitable for summer clothing, which is made from fibers from the Cannabis Sativa plant.

Hemp is known as one of the most eco-friendly fabrics. This is because the Cannabis Sativa plant is resistant to pests and weeds and can grow fast without agrochemicals and large amounts of water. Moreover, it absorbs more C02 during cultivation than other plants and helps to improve the soil.

Learn more about Hemp

・20 Climate Actions you can do in Japan

Brands using Hemp

・4 Highly stylish slow fashion brands from Japan
・No more plastic waste with reusable food wrap Good Wrap!

Linen

Linen is a strong and long-lasting fabric made from fibers derived from the flax plant, which grows fast just with rainwater, and less fertilizer. All parts of the flax plant can be utilized for different products. Thus there are no parts to throw away.

Linen is silky to the touch, highly absorbent and breathable, making linen clothing popular in the humid Japanese summer. On the other hand, it also keeps you warm in winter because it regulates temperature.

Brands using Linen

・Japan’s sustainable yoga wear brands to help you practice mindfully

All of these environmentally friendly materials are strong and long-lasting. In addition to choosing environmentally friendly materials, we can further reduce the environmental impact by using them longer and consuming less. We hope this list will help you find favorites you can enjoy for a long time.