18 Incredible Ethically Sourced Textiles to Shop Now

With millions of tons of textile waste heading to the landfill each year, it is time to rethink our approach to using fabrics at home. But how do we responsibly source textiles that have a lower impact on our environment? Even though buzzwords like 'sustainable' and 'eco-friendly' are now totally mainstream, for years 'green' fabrics have gotten a rather bad rap, as they were often thought to be too stiff, too plastic-like and perhaps better suited to your doctor's office rather than your living room. However, the good news is that the fabric options on the market today, due to advances in technology along with an increased understanding of the importance of sustainability, are increasingly innovative, refined, and even downright luxurious. You no longer have to sacrifice style—or that incredibly sumptuous linen fabric!—in an effort to be green.

But what exactly do you look for when you need to recover an armchair or freshen up your window treatments? For starters, you can look at fabrics that incorporate recycled content. Here, old yarns get new leases on life when they are cleverly reused, re-woven and combined with other fibers. This not only reduces the need to manufacture precious raw materials, but also saves energy and reduces waste. Many luxury textile houses, from Pierre Frey to Sunbrella, are now experimenting with recycled content and the results are better than ever.

Another category to look out for is earth-friendly fibers, such as organic linen, silk, and wool among others. These are all natural materials, derived from forests and farms, that are considered to be rapidly renewable. Hemp, for instance, is thought to be one of the lowest-impact fibers on the market largely due to the fact that the plant requires little water and harsh chemicals to grow. Once an unsung hero in the interiors world, hemp features prominently in a new collection by the Danish textile house Kvadrat, as well as serving as the ground cloth for a charming new screen-print by Kerry Joyce.

Small-batch production and artisanal practices are also inherently eco- and ethically friendly. By forgoing machinery as well as overproduction, these slow-art textiles that are woven or printed by hand have the added benefit of building livable incomes and supporting the textile traditions of communities around the world.

Beyond today's fabric production, there are many other ethical choices to consider that can have positive effects on the world around us. One easy way to maximize your sustainable efforts is to invest in high-quality and durable textiles and furnishings that will last for generations. This not only preserves resources but also saves volumes in the landfill. Antique textiles are another earth-friendly choice—we love using a vintage kilim to cover an ottoman, for instance, or a beautifully time-worn suzani to drape over a headboard, proving that creative re-use can be incredibly chic. And lastly, when the lifespan of a textile does indeed come to an end, it is important to investigate alternative options for disposal. There are a number of fabric take-back and recycling programs around the country, including ones that have direct impacts on your local community. A little research can go a long way.

Whether you are looking to upholster a new sofa, have cushions made, or even create a tented room, there is no doubt an environmentally friendly fabric option out there for you. Read on to discover some of our favorite textiles—from organic linens to recycled polyester, handwoven silks to vintage block-printed cloths, even leather!—that you can feel good about sourcing.