Washington Post – Sustainability experts say to avoid fabrics that blend natural and synthetic materials. [unpatwalled] “…Compared to 100% natural fibers or other biodegradable materials such as viscose, or rayon, which is made from a wood-like fiber, blended synthetic fabrics can be more durable and withstand more stress. They can also feel softer and smoother, and perhaps more importantly, they can be cheaper, according to textiles researchers. That low cost makes the fast fashion problem worse, inspiring people to buy more than they need: The average American buys more than one new piece of clothing per week. Because they’re not easily recyclable, these textiles eventually end up in landfills both within and outside the United States — typically in countries such as India, Pakistan and China. That means the resources that went into making them are essentially wasted, said Karen Leonas, a professor of textiles sciences at North Carolina State University. Clothes made out of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, are easier to take apart and recycle — though there are few facilities to process even those materials. Still, experts say that recycling technology is improving and that apparel companies will invest in it if enough customers signal they want their clothes to be more sustainable…”