Sustainability

The Hidden Cost of Synthetic Fabrics in Fashion

Why Natural Materials Are the Better Choice

Most of us choose clothing based on style, fit, and color, often without considering the fabrics themselves. In recent decades, synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic have become the natural choice for fast fashion—yet there’s nothing natural about them.

Every stage of synthetic fabric production—from fossil fuel extraction to microplastic shedding—contributes to pollution, excessive energy use, and long-term environmental harm. This convenience comes at a massive environmental cost—one that isn’t always visible at first glance.

At Wayla, we believe that the materials we wear should be as considered as the designs themselves. We prioritize natural, biodegradable fabrics that align with a more environmentally responsible approach to fashion. Understanding their impact is essential for both the planet and the future of fashion.

Old image of the synthetic fabrics clothing advertisement

The Rise of Synthetic Textiles: How They Took Over Fashion

Synthetic fabrics didn’t just change the way clothes were made—they transformed the entire fashion industry. What started as an innovation meant to mimic natural fibers quickly became the foundation of modern clothing production. Affordable, durable, and easy to manufacture, synthetics offered everything brands needed to scale up production and keep up with ever-changing trends—making clothing cheaper and more accessible than ever before.

From Innovation to Industry Standard – The first fully synthetic fiber, nylon, was introduced in the 1930s as a silk alternative, later becoming essential for stockings and military gear. Polyester followed in the 1940s, prized for its wrinkle resistance and durability. By the 1950s, acrylic emerged as a substitute for wool, providing yet another low-cost alternative to natural fibers.

Fast Fashion’s Perfect Match – As global supply chains expanded and consumer demand for affordable clothing grew, synthetics became the backbone of the fashion industry. Unlike natural fibers, they were cheap, versatile, and easy to mass-produce—perfect for brands chasing fast-changing trends.

A System Built on Synthetics – Over time, synthetic textiles became more than just an option—they became the industry’s default. Today, more than 65% of all clothing worldwide is made from synthetic fabrics–not because they’re better, but because they’re more profitable. What began as a technological breakthrough now fuels overproduction, waste, and disposability, making the return to natural alternatives more urgent than ever.

Where Are Synthetic Materials Hiding

Beyond performance gear, these man-made fibers crop up in everything from everyday basics to home textiles—often without us realizing.

Consider. Synthetic Blends in “Natural” Garments.

Many “genuine wool” or “cashmere” sweaters contain acrylic, nylon, or other synthetics to cut costs. Even higher-end labels often blend in 20–50% plastic yarns, so read the composition tag, not just the marketing.

The Toxic Production of Synthetic Fabrics

Beyond their widespread use, synthetic fabrics pose an environmental problem from the moment they are made. Their production is energy-intensive, chemically polluting, and entirely reliant on fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuel Dependency – Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are all derived from petroleum, making them non-renewable and carbon-intensive. Together, synthetic textiles consume over 1.35% of the world’s oil each year.

Chemical Pollution & Toxic Waste – The manufacture and finishing of synthetics rely on hazardous chemicals for dyeing, waterproofing, and softening. In major producing regions like China, Bangladesh, and India, untreated factory runoff has been linked to heavy-metal contamination in rivers, harming ecosystems and local communities.

High Energy & Water Use – Synthetic fibers require extremely high temperatures—often supplied by coal-fired plants—to melt and spin, driving up greenhouse-gas emissions. Many stages of their production also demand significant water inputs, further increasing their overall environmental footprint.

These production processes don’t just pollute—they create lasting damage long before a garment ever reaches the consumer. The reliance on fossil fuels and toxic chemicals makes synthetic fabric production one of the most environmentally destructive aspects of the fashion industry.

The Hidden Impact of Synthetic Fabrics

Even after they are produced, synthetic fabrics continue to harm the environment through microplastic pollution, landfill waste, and long-term degradation.

Microplastic Shedding

Synthetic garments shed tiny plastic fibers not only during washing but also through wear and drying. These microplastics escape into waterways and air, with an estimated 35% of ocean microplastics traced back to synthetic textiles.

Non-Biodegradability & Textile Waste

Synthetic fabrics like polyester can take centuries to break down. As fast fashion drives overconsumption, these materials pile up in landfills, contributing to long-term waste and making textile disposal a growing global issue.

Landfill Overflow & Global Waste Crisis

Over 87% of discarded textiles end up in landfills or incinerators. Many are exported to second-hand markets in the Global South, where fast fashion waste overwhelms local systems and creates lasting environmental burdens.

The waste crisis caused by synthetic textiles is only growing. Without intervention, fashion’s environmental toll will continue to rise. The durability that once made synthetic fabrics appealing has now become a liability, leaving behind an endless trail of pollution.

Where Synthetic Fabrics Are Necessary (Yet Should Be Limited)

While synthetic fabrics come with significant drawbacks, they still have essential applications where natural fibers fall short. Their durability, weather resistance, and elasticity make them indispensable for certain performance-based uses. However, their routine use in everyday fashion is unsustainable and should be restricted to truly functional applications.

Performance Wear & Outdoor Clothing – Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are widely used in activewear, outerwear, and extreme-weather gear. They offer moisture-wicking properties, stretch, and durability, making them essential for technical performance.

Medical & Safety Gear – Synthetic textiles play a vital role in protective equipment (PPE), medical gowns, and fire-resistant uniforms. These applications require sterility, chemical resistance, and high durability that natural fibers cannot always provide.

Stretch & Shape Retention – Small percentages of spandex (often 2–5%) are blended into even the most sustainable knits, like organic cotton, TENCEL™, or ECOVERO™, to provide essential stretch and recovery. Traditionally petroleum-based, newer options like Bio-LYCRA® EcoMade use up to 70% renewable content—such as field corn—to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

While some synthetic use is necessary, the fashion industry’s over-reliance on them is unsustainable. The challenge now is to limit their production to functional uses while advancing more sustainable alternatives. Until better solutions emerge, synthetic materials should be reserved for essential applications rather than everyday fashion.

More Sustainable Synthetic Alternatives

For applications where synthetics remain necessary, innovation is key to reducing their environmental impact. Several sustainable synthetic alternatives are emerging, offering lower-impact options that limit reliance on virgin fossil fuels. While these options don’t eliminate all environmental concerns, they represent important steps toward a more responsible textile industry.

Made from post-consumer plastic waste such as PET bottles, rPET reduces demand for virgin materials and lowers carbon emissions. However, it still sheds microplastics with each wash, so its long-term sustainability depends on improved filtration and circular recycling systems.

Recycled Polyester (rPET)

Derived from renewable sources like corn, castor oil, and sugarcane, these polyesters reduce fossil-fuel dependency. Their environmental benefit must be balanced against land-use and water-consumption impacts to ensure true sustainability.

Bio-Based Synthetics

Closed-loop recycling transforms old textiles into new fibers, supporting circularity. Brands like Patagonia and Stella McCartney are pioneering these models, though scaling still remains a challenge.

Closed-Loop Textile Systems

Algae-derived fibers and biodegradable synthetic blends offer the promise of materials that naturally degrade without harmful residues. Still in development, these innovations could reshape how synthetics are made and disposed of.

Emerging Solutions: Algae-Based & Biodegradable Synthetics

The future of synthetic textiles depends on ongoing collaboration between researchers, brands, and policymakers to scale these solutions responsibly. As these technologies mature, transparent labeling and consumer education will be crucial to ensure genuine environmental benefits.

Why Natural Fabrics Are the Better Choice for Everyday Wear

For everyday wear, natural fibers provide superior comfort, breathability, and sustainability. Unlike synthetics, they biodegrade naturally, do not release microplastics, and have a significantly lower environmental footprint when sourced responsibly. These qualities make them an essential choice for conscious consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Breathability & Comfort – Natural fibers regulate temperature and wick moisture more effectively than synthetics, making them ideal year-round. Linen, for example, softens with wear and keeps the body cool, while polyester traps heat and promotes sweating.

Biodegradability & Circularity – Unlike synthetics that can take centuries to degrade, fibers like linen, hemp, and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ break down naturally within months or years, leaving no toxic residue and returning to the earth safely.

Lower Environmental Impact – While some natural fibers like conventional cotton require more water and pesticides, low-impact options such as organic linen and ECOVERO™ offer smaller footprints. Regenerative farming and closed-loop systems improve this even further.

Feel & Longevity – Natural fabrics like linen, hemp, and organic cotton are soft and breathable from the start. Unlike synthetics, they age well, maintain quality over time, and offer a more comfortable, skin-friendly feel.

Choosing natural materials reduces fashion’s reliance on fossil fuels and advances a circular, low-waste model. Prioritizing fully biodegradable fibers ensures garments return safely to the earth, while durable, high-quality materials extend product lifecycles and minimize the need for frequent replacement.

To explore which fabrics are actually considered sustainable—and why—see our Journal on Sustainable Fabrics 101: Best Eco-Friendly Textiles & Why They Matter.

Beyond the Fabric: A Conscious Approach to Fashion

At Wayla, every element of a garment reflects our values—from thoughtful design to intentional fabric choices. But our approach to sustainability goes beyond fabric selection. We create seasonless pieces designed to last, helping reduce overproduction and fashion waste. We view design as a way to encourage slower, more mindful consumption—anchored in simplicity, durability, and deep respect for the planet.

The conversation around sustainability in fashion must go deeper than trends or surface-level greenwashing. Rethinking the materials we wear is one of the most powerful ways to reduce fashion’s footprint. By consciously choosing biodegradable, responsibly sourced textiles—and limiting synthetic use to where it's truly needed—we can reshape the industry into something more enduring, more thoughtful, and more honest.

Join the Conversation.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you consider the environmental impact of your clothes? What matters most to you when choosing what to wear?

May 08, 2025

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