3 Practical Tips to Run a Small Sustainable Textile Business

In light of today, it’s difficult to imagine that there was a time when all food was organic and all textiles were sustainable. Our world has become adulterated to an extent where distinct labels and processes are needed to produce that which is natural.

The sustainable fashion industry, one focusing on reduced environmental impact, has been growing exponentially for the past few years. It is a lucrative space to start and run a small business.

However, the meaning of sustainability can be more multifaceted than we often consider. A fabric manufacturing or printing company cannot afford to neglect it. In this article, we will discuss three important tips for running a small sustainable textile business. They will help you keep up with your claims of sustainability.

Source Materials Carefully

Every sustainable textile business must understand that the definition of sustainability has evolved tremendously. You need to choose fabrics that are good for the environment and human health.

From that viewpoint, most of the synthetic fabrics would be ruled out. You must invest in natural fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp. Depending on your business policies, even recycled polyester would come under the definition of sustainable.

To go a step ahead, you can narrow down your options based on which fabric is easier to grow. For instance, Green America states that linen takes a lot less water to grow when compared to organic cotton. The said fiber is even pest-resistant and completely biodegradable, which is a plus.

Besides the material itself, there are additional things to keep in mind. The fabrics should not have any harmful chemicals sprayed onto them. An example would be per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. These carbon-fluorine chemical bonds are resistant to water, grease, and oil.

They’re usually used to manufacture stain-resistant garments, but may also be used on natural fibers like cotton. The main purpose is to make the fabric wrinkle-free and durable. These may sound like perks but do not align with the definition of sustainability at all. In fact, PFAS have a dark legacy.

The Dangers of PFAS

These chemicals have also been used to produce Class B firefighting foam for decades. This type of firefighting foam is used to put out fires caused by liquid fuels like jet fuel and gasoline.

The Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) was effective in handling fast-spreading fires, but it injured firefighters severely. Over the years, many complained of developing cancers of the kidneys, bladder, and testicles. In 2017, matters were taken to the Federal court when the first AFFF lawsuit was filed.

Since that time, thousands of personal injury case filings have been made. As per the latest AFFF lawsuit update, nearly 10,000 of these cases have been brought under multi-district litigation.

According to TruLaw, attorneys are still accepting new clients and justice will be served sooner or later.

This is what direct exposure to PFAS can do. Even with indirect exposure, it is possible to develop high cholesterol, low immune response, and developmental delays. A worldwide PFAS ban has been proposed.

By 2026, businesses must eliminate these chemicals from their supply chain in all forms. This means you cannot source materials with PFAS traces.

Ask your suppliers to disclose all information regarding raw material treatments and processes. Also, do not use PFAS during the next stage in order to alter the fabric’s nature.

Ensure Safe Production Practices

After you have sourced your raw materials carefully, it is time to ensure safe production practices. To stay true to your sustainability claims, use only natural dyes and non-toxic printing inks.

Most synthetic dyes contain harmful heavy metals like chromium, lead, mercury, and cadmium. Botanical Colors shares a few durable natural dyes, including madder, pomegranate extract, cochineal, and indigo powder. Many other vegetable dyes are also natural sources.

Use these instead of harsh chemical dyes that can irritate the skin and get absorbed into the body. Also, you must seek production partners who take efficient measures for water conservation and energy efficiency.

Finally, it is crucial to follow ethical labor practices. This would involve ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for everyone throughout the supply chain.

Conduct Ongoing Market Research

Sustainability may sound like a buzzword but it is the way fashion has been for hundreds of years. Today, the degree of adulteration within this industry calls for a distinction in terms of fabric quality, longevity, and non-toxicity.

Since more and more customers are becoming health-conscious, they are demanding sustainable garments even at a costlier price. Innovations are continuously happening in this industry and you must keep abreast.

Stay up to date with the latest technologies and innovations in the sustainability space. Some examples include advanced dyeing techniques, recycled fibers, and bio-based materials.

With time, partner with other lucrative businesses in the sustainability realm. This will give your small business much-needed exposure and equip you with new solutions to meet sustainable fashion demands.

For this, you must conduct research on an ongoing basis. We would recommend dedicating a separate team toward research. It will focus solely on understanding the needs of the target audience better. That’s the only way to ensure waste reduction and meet the sustainability expectations of your clientele.

The worldwide sustainable fashion market is huge and is expected to grow with long strides. It is currently exhibiting a CAGR of 23.50% and amounted to $7915.2 million in 2024.

With such a positive growth rate, competition will also be cut-throat. So, ensure you keep the three basics of running a sustainable textile business in mind. That’s the only way to expand from a small company to a large enterprise.