Is Tencel Clothing Sustainable? – Going Zero Waste

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Final Up to date on September 10, 2025

You’ve most likely seen TENCEL™ on clothes tags earlier than. However what precisely does it imply? And is it good for the surroundings?

A majority of the clothes on-line and in malls are made utilizing polyester, aka plastic. Whereas I’m all for utilizing recycled polyester in materials that decision for it (like athleticwear), I additionally attempt to go for pure materials at any time when potential.

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That’s as a result of to create virgin polyester, 70 million barrels of oil are used yearly, and remodeling this oil into polyester material releases quite a few toxins into the surroundings.

Plus, polyester items shed microplastics into our waterways when washed. Roughly 500,000 polyester microfibers are launched from a 6kg wash.

Lets not overlook microfibers of plastic have been present in nearly each a part of the human physique, together with our feces, lungs, blood and even placentas. Lowering microplastic publicity may be so simple as using pure materials in our garments.

TENCEL™ is a model of Lyocell and Modal fibers, each of that are fairly related, however barely totally different. Right here’s every little thing you want to find out about TENCEL™ clothes and which sustainable manufacturers are utilizing it.

is tencel artificial or pure?

TENCEL™ is a semi-synthetic fiber produced from pure wooden pulp (cellulose), reworked into fiber utilizing chemical solvents. The chemical processing is what makes Tencel semi-synthetic.

There are two sorts of TENCEL™: Lyocell and Modal which have barely totally different processing procedures – however each are produced from cellulose.

Right here’s a glimpse at them:

TENCEL™ Lyocell

Made with an progressive closed-loop course of that ends in little waste (greater than 99.8% of solvent is recovered!). Wooden pulp is dissolved and the answer is pumped by spinnerets to type a filament that’s reduce into staple fibers that are washed, dried, opened and pressed into bales.

TENCEL™ Modal

Much like viscose rayon, however with much less waste. Made with resource-efficient know-how with excessive restoration charges of chemical compounds. Cellulose in Modal processing must be chemically altered earlier than it’s dissolved, filtered, spun and reduce into staple fibers.

Each TENCEL™ lyocell and modal fibers are sourced from managed or licensed forests assembly FSC or PEFC requirements.

is tencel material for clothes?

TENCEL™ is an effective material for clothes rather than standard cotton, silk, or virgin polyester attributable to its versatility.

TENCEL™ Lyocell is a superb alternative for standard cotton or silk as a result of its comfortable to the contact. It’s additionally extra immune to piling than cotton.

TENCEL™ Modal is a superb different to virgin polyester materials in activewear attributable to its breathable and absorbent nature.

Each TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal are additionally material for the surroundings. So long as they’re not mixed with artificial materials (like polyester), they’re licensed biodegradable and compostable.

Simply be aware that modal and lyocell made exterior of Lenzing AG might not be as eco-conscious, as a result of they don’t have to satisfy rigorous requirements. Modal or Lyocell with out the TENCEL™ certification is probably going made in factories not being clear with their practices each socially and environmentally.

what are the disadvantages of tencel material?

There aren’t many disadvantages of TENCEL™ material, however there are a couple of that stand out. Listed below are some to think about:

In comparison with cotton, TENCEL™ may be costly

Until licensed from TENCEL™, it’s unattainable to know if the wooden wanted for lyocell or modal is sustainably harvested or crafted

It’s a chemical-heavy course of, but when getting from a TENCEL™ licensed model, it has a considerably decrease environmental impression than generic modal

does tencel shrink within the dryer?

Sure, TENCEL™ lyocell can shrink within the dryer however you may cut back this by merely caring for it correctly. Modal is much less more likely to shrink, however to attenuate the prospect, wash each lyocell and modal in chilly water on a mild cycle and air dry at any time when potential.

Should you should tumble dry, do it on a low warmth setting and take away the objects whereas nonetheless barely damp to keep away from over-drying.

the place can I purchase tencel clothes?

There are a number of sustainable manufacturers that promote TENCEL™ clothes. I’ve gone forward and highlighted a few of my favourite options of every model, nevertheless it isn’t an exhaustive checklist. Make sure you try their web sites for extra data. 

1. toad & co

Women and men’s clothes for on a regular basis and outside use
Sustainable supplies, together with TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal
Takeback program for previous garments (from any model)
Member of The Renewal Workshop, repairs and resells previous Toad garments
LimeLoop companion, reusable delivery—produced from recycled billboards

2. reformation

Girls’s clothes
Sustainable supplies, together with TENCEL™ Lyocell
Packaging is produced from recycled or compostable supplies
RefRecycling take again program

3. armed angels

Men and women’s clothes
Sustainable supplies, together with TENCEL™ Lyocell
Carbon offsets
Truthful commerce firm
Helps biomass tasks in India to cut back emissions

4. tentree

Men and women’s clothes
Sustainable supplies, together with TENCEL™ Lyocell
10 timber planted with each order
Moral manufacturing
Accountable packaging
B Company
Carbon impartial licensed

5. organic basics

Girls + males’s clothes
Sustainable supplies, together with TENCEL™ Lyocell
All employees handled with respect, earn dwelling wages, + have a secure working surroundings
1% for the Planet member