Materials Matter
A Guide to Materials and Their Impacts
A product's materials have the single greatest impact on its circularity.
We go beyond surface-level claims to analyze a material’s entire journey—from sourcing and chemical treatments to its potential for microfiber pollution and its end-of-life. This space is your guide to understanding the real story behind different materials. Our goal is to help you choose materials that are truly circular—ensuring they can be safely recycled, repurposed, or returned to the earth.
Be sure to also check out our Restricted Materials and Substance List which outlines the harmful textiles and solvents we've banned from our marketplace to protect people and the planet. Our materials blog also dives deeper into materials with updated information weekly.
Material
Mohair
Animal Derived
Lustrous, Durable, and Responsibly Sourced Mohair, the silky and lustrous fiber from Angora goats, is prized for its unmatched softness, durability, and elegant drape. Known...
Mohair
Lustrous, Durable, and Responsibly Sourced Mohair, the silky and lustrous fiber from Angora goats, is prized for its unmatched softness, durability, and elegant drape. Known...
Animal Derived
Nylon
recycled synthetics
Nylon is a synthetic marvel prized for its strength, elasticity, and durability. However, this revolutionary fiber comes with a significant environmental cost, from its fossil...
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic marvel prized for its strength, elasticity, and durability. However, this revolutionary fiber comes with a significant environmental cost, from its fossil...
recycled synthetics
Lyocell
plant-based semi-synthetics
Lyocell is a silky-smooth, regenerated cellulose fiber created from wood pulp. Its core sustainability lies in its closed-loop production process, which uses a non-toxic solvent...
Lyocell
Lyocell is a silky-smooth, regenerated cellulose fiber created from wood pulp. Its core sustainability lies in its closed-loop production process, which uses a non-toxic solvent...
plant-based semi-synthetics
Wool
Animal Derived
Wool is a natural renewable fiber that has been used for clothing for thousands of years. It naturally has antibacterial properties and can help regulate...
Wool
Wool is a natural renewable fiber that has been used for clothing for thousands of years. It naturally has antibacterial properties and can help regulate...
Animal Derived
Hemp
plant-based
Hemp is a natural and renewable fiber derived from the stalk of the Cannabis sativa plant. It's a highly durable and versatile textile that softens...
Hemp
Hemp is a natural and renewable fiber derived from the stalk of the Cannabis sativa plant. It's a highly durable and versatile textile that softens...
plant-based
Cashmere
Animal Derived
Revered for centuries as a symbol of luxury, cashmere is an exceptionally soft and warm natural fiber. However, the soaring global demand for cashmere has...
Cashmere
Revered for centuries as a symbol of luxury, cashmere is an exceptionally soft and warm natural fiber. However, the soaring global demand for cashmere has...
Animal Derived
Cotton
plant-based
Cotton has long been a foundational fiber in our lives, but the heavy environmental and social costs of conventional farming practices are now undeniable. From...
Cotton
Cotton has long been a foundational fiber in our lives, but the heavy environmental and social costs of conventional farming practices are now undeniable. From...
plant-based
Polyester
recycled synthetics
Polyester is the world's most widely used fiber, prized for its strength, affordability, and versatility. It is a man-made plastic derived from petroleum, and its...
Polyester
Polyester is the world's most widely used fiber, prized for its strength, affordability, and versatility. It is a man-made plastic derived from petroleum, and its...
recycled synthetics
Elastane
synthetics
Elastane, also known as Spandex or Lycra®, is the essential fiber that gives our clothes their stretch, comfort, and shape retention. However, this revolutionary performance...
Elastane
Elastane, also known as Spandex or Lycra®, is the essential fiber that gives our clothes their stretch, comfort, and shape retention. However, this revolutionary performance...
synthetics
Bio-Based Synthetics
next-gen
Bio-based synthetics are a new generation of fibers derived from renewable plant sources like corn, sugarcane, and castor beans. Recently more bio-synthetics are coming from...
Bio-Based Synthetics
Bio-based synthetics are a new generation of fibers derived from renewable plant sources like corn, sugarcane, and castor beans. Recently more bio-synthetics are coming from...
next-gen
Bamboo
plant-based semi-synthetics
Bamboo fabric is often hailed for its softness and promoted as a sustainable choice. However, the term "bamboo fabric" covers two very different materials, and...
Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is often hailed for its softness and promoted as a sustainable choice. However, the term "bamboo fabric" covers two very different materials, and...
plant-based semi-synthetics
Angora
Animal Derived
Angora wool is prized for its exquisite softness and warmth. Sourced from the Angora rabbit, it has a history as a luxury fiber. However, the...
Angora
Angora wool is prized for its exquisite softness and warmth. Sourced from the Angora rabbit, it has a history as a luxury fiber. However, the...
Animal Derived
Alpaca
Animal Derived
Alpaca fleece is a luxurious, natural fiber renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and resilience. Sourced from alpacas in the Andes, this hypoallergenic material has...
Alpaca
Alpaca fleece is a luxurious, natural fiber renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and resilience. Sourced from alpacas in the Andes, this hypoallergenic material has...
Animal Derived
Acrylic
synthetics
Acrylic fabric is a mainstream textile known for being a warm, lightweight, and budget-friendly alternative to natural wool. It's used in sweaters, yarns, and fleece...
Acrylic
Acrylic fabric is a mainstream textile known for being a warm, lightweight, and budget-friendly alternative to natural wool. It's used in sweaters, yarns, and fleece...
synthetics
Acetate
semi-synthetics synthetics
Acetate is a semi-synthetic fiber renowned for its luxurious sheen, fluid drape, and rich color. Made from purified wood pulp, it's often called the "beauty...
Acetate
Acetate is a semi-synthetic fiber renowned for its luxurious sheen, fluid drape, and rich color. Made from purified wood pulp, it's often called the "beauty...
semi-synthetics synthetics
The Circular Standard™
At Circular People, we believe a circular future isn't just an idea— it's essential for healing our planet. Choosing circularity means making a conscious, daily effort to mend our world through your actions. Join the movement by making the conscious, daily decision to embrace circularity you mend our world with every action.
Materials Matter
Interconnected Impact
Traceable by Design
