How Long Does Your Clothing Take to Disappear in Nature?
It is easy to overlook what happens to our clothes after we are done with them, but the lifecycle of a garment has a major impact on the planet. With the fast fashion industry generating more waste than ever, it is worth asking a crucial question: how long do our clothes take to decompose?
The chart below provides perspective by illustrating the biodegradation timelines for common fabrics in a natural environment. The difference between natural and synthetic fibers is immense.
The Breakdown on Biodegradation
Clothing materials decompose at vastly different rates depending on their origin—natural fibers break down relatively quickly under the right conditions, while synthetic fabrics can linger in the environment for decades, even centuries.
Here's a breakdown of popular materials and how long they take to biodegrade in soil-based environments:
Sources: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Textile Exchange, Fashion Revolution, Clean Clothes Campaign. Contextual insights on circular design and fiber use from Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Compost vs. Landfill: Why the Environment Matters
Even natural fibers don't break down efficiently in anaerobic landfill conditions, where lack of oxygen, moisture, and microbial life can stall decomposition. In contrast, industrial composting environments (or well-maintained home compost systems) can allow materials like cotton, linen, and untreated wool to return to the earth within months.
What About Fabric Blends?
Many garments today are made with blended fabrics, like cotton-polyester or wool-acrylic mixes. While they may contain natural materials, the synthetic portion inhibits full biodegradation, leaving behind plastic particles even after partial breakdown.
These garments are also more challenging to recycle or compost, as separating blended fibers is a technologically complex and energy-intensive process.
The Problem with Synthetics
Synthetics, such as polyester, nylon, and PVC, are made from fossil fuels and do not biodegrade. Instead, they fragment into microplastics that pollute ecosystems for centuries. These particles have been found in ocean life, drinking water, and even human bloodstreams. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, more than half of all clothing is made from plastic-based fibers, a trend that is expected to continue rising with the growth of fast fashion.
The Rise of Bio-Based Alternatives
Fortunately, innovators are reshaping the future of textiles by developing 100% bio-based, compostable alternatives. These include:
Mycelium leather (from mushrooms)
Chitosan fibers (from seashell waste)
Banana and pineapple leaf fibers
Algae-based yarns
These new materials are designed to decompose without shedding microplastics or releasing toxins, offering a truly regenerative future for fashion.
What Can You Do?
You can make a difference today by changing how you shop and care for your clothes.
Read Labels: Look for clothes made from natural or bio-based fibers.
Buy Less, Buy Better: Invest in high-quality, durable pieces that will last for years, rather than chasing disposable trends.
Support Innovation: Follow and support brands and companies that are developing the next generation of sustainable textiles.
Systemic Change Matters Too
As consumers push for greener choices, systemic change must follow. Policy tools such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), investment in textile composting infrastructure, and stricter labeling laws can help ensure that fashion waste is managed responsibly.
Organizations such as the Global Fashion Agenda, Fashion for Good, and the Sustainable Fashion Forum are already working towards these goals.
Every Fiber Has a Footprint
Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, but it also leaves a lasting environmental mark. By choosing materials that respect the planet's biological cycles, we take part in something bigger: a smarter, cleaner, and more ethical future for fashion.
Let’s redefine style not just by how it looks, but by how well it returns to the earth.
