introduction: the truth about your clothing

(pov: sleuthing around to try to piece things together - they really don't give much away...)

i’ve spent the last year deep-diving into fibers for builtwithhabit and honestly… nothing is as shocking as learning about how differently fabrics behave once we throw them away. some break down in a few months. others stay on the planet for centuries. literally centuries. because this information is usually tucked away in sustainability reports - not advertised openly on clothing tags - most people don’t realise the scale of the disparity.

so, i wanted to break everything down clearly, honestly and with verified data from credible sources (epa, textile exchange, ellen macarthur foundation, academic journals). consider this a simple guide to what your clothes become after you’re done wearing them: and why it matters for both your skin and the environment.

deep dive into fibers: how different materials vary

(just such an astronomical difference between natural and synthetic fibers!)

(a) natural fibers (plant-based): fast to biodegrade

these come from plants, so microbes recognise them and break them down quickly!

linen (flax): 2 weeks - 6 months
cotton: 1 - 5 months
hemp: 8 weeks - 6 months
bamboo (unblended): 4 - 6 months

the timelines vary based on heat, oxygen, humidity and chemicals used in processing… but the common thread is this: plant fibers return to the earth naturally and efficiently.

(b) natural fibers (protein-based): biodegradable but somewhat slower

because these fibers come from animals, the protein structure takes longer to break down.

wool: 5 months - 5 years
silk: 1 - 4 years

still biodegradable, just slower - especially in landfills where oxygen is limited.

(c) regenerated cellulose (semi-synthetic): still biodegradable, under certain conditions

technically man-made but still can biodegradable!

rayon/ viscose: 6 weeks - 6 months
lyocell (tencel™): 2 - 24 months

lyocell, in particular, is industrially and home compostable under certified conditions!

(d) leather: relatively long lifespan

leather: 25 - 50 years

tanning plays a huge role here; chromium-tanned leather (most leather today) breaks down quite slowly.

(e) synthetics (plastic-based): do not biodegrade

here’s where it gets confronting...

nylon: 30 - 40 years
polyester: 20 - 200+ years
acrylic: 200+ years
pvc/ vinyl: 1,000+ years

these fibers don’t biodegrade. they fragment into microplastics and persist for generations; they behave like any other plastic item… just in textile form.

why this matters: environmental impact

(images like this are SO crushing but they are a reality we can all come together to change!)

most people think clothing waste is “less serious” than plastic bottles or bags. yet, synthetic garments are literally made of the same polymers. the environmental burden is massive:

1. synthetic fibers release microplastics every time you wash them - they shed into waterways, soil and eventually the food chain.
2. landfills are overflowing with clothing - textiles are now one of the fastest-growing waste streams.
3. natural fibers return to the earth, while synthetics accumulate - a cotton tee decomposes; a polyester tee sits around for decades.
4. blends are actually the hardest to deal with - 95% organic cotton + 5% elastane? still not biodegradable. still not recyclable.
   [there are some emerging small-to-medium sized “skin-safe” activewear brands that are really trying to change the landscape and redefine petroleum-minimised innovation! however, by and large, most of them are organic cotton-based (92-95% organic cotton) with a small % of elastane/ spandex (5-8% elastane/ spandex). unfortunately, this is not the gold standard we should be striving for; even small volumes of elastane make the garment unrecyclable…]
5. fast fashion and hyperconsumerism accelerates the crisis - cheap, synthetic, short-lived pieces = more turnover, more waste, more plastic.

the other half of this story: skin safety

(our bodies must be divinely protected and cared for!)

material choice isn’t just an environmental issue: it’s a skin barrier issue, too.

synthetic fibers can:

• trap heat and sweat
• irritate sensitive skin
• shed microplastics that leach into your body
• release chemicals like bpa, antimony, phthalates and dye residues

natural fibers breathe. they support skin ph, moisture regulation, airflow and temperature balance. this is why at builtwithhabit, the integrity of our fibers is at the core of what we do!

how bwh is doing things differently

(here's where we come in!)

at builtwithhabit, we set out to build a brand around cleaner fibers, slower design, circular thinking and an obsessive honor for the human body. we’re not perfect (no brand is) but we’re deeply intentional! here’s what that looks like compared to the norm:

builtwithhabit vs. industry standard: a clearer look

concluding thoughts: conscious consumerism and why what you buy carries weight

(spreading awareness goes a long way! we can only take collective action when people feel informed!)

this blog isn’t for the purpose of fearmongering; it’s to create awareness and hopefully, influence informed purchasing decisions!

your clothes don’t disappear: they become part of the world long after you’re done with them. so, the first step is to: just minimise consumption. buy less, full stop! the second step is to: choose natural, skin-safe, responsibly-made fibers to reduce your environmental footprint and support your long-term health. invest in high-quality, neutral staples that you can wear again and again.

small shifts compound.

less synthetic. more natural. better quality. longer lifespan.

builtwithhabit.