With a staggering 6 billion pieces of underwear produced each year, how can you buy the most environmentally friendly underwear possible without sacrificing beauty and comfort?

Underwear is a necessity in everyday life, but when it comes to a sustainable lifestyle [1], the average person rarely thinks about underwear. In fact, it is estimated that a staggering 6 billion pieces of underwear are produced worldwide, which have an average lifespan of one to two years and are likely to end up in landfills. Underwear, on the other hand, is usually made of native polyester and nylon, which allows them to survive on Earth for hundreds of years.

Fortunately, there are brands that focus on both design and comfort while making their underwear sustainable. For example, Danish brand Underprotection uses recycled polyester and nylon to make lace underwear, while Los Angeles-based brand Proclaim specializes in classic basics for home work. From fabrics to packaging, sustainability is fundamental to everything.

However, in order to achieve the effect of close fitting and support, underwear generally uses elastic fabrics, which is difficult to be environmentally friendly. Almost all underwear on the market today contains some percentage of elastic fiber, known as spandex, which is difficult to recycle and generally not biodegradable. "There are limitations."

Phoebe Hunter-McIlveen, co-founder of UK brand Pico, said: "We have found a compostable elastic fibre, but it may not be very suitable for underwear. Our goal is to make 100 percent compostable underwear."

While we're still some way from fully biodegradable, compostable underwear, it's still possible to buy underwear that's stylish and relatively environmentally friendly. Let's see what the experts have to say.

Choose sustainably sourced fibers.

When it comes to relatively sustainable underwear, it's important to check the material of your underwear. It is best to choose certified organic cotton and sustainably sourced viscose, such as Tencel or Lyocell. Brands such as Alexander Clementine have also started making underwear from seaweed, which uses significantly less water than traditional cotton.

Try to avoid native polyester.

The vast majority of underwear does contain some synthetic materials, but it is best to avoid native polyester and nylon to reduce the harm to the environment. "More and more brands are using recycled fabrics." "For example, the base fabric for our underwear is recycled instead of native polyester, and our elastic fibers are also recycled," says Underprotection co-founder Sunniva Uggerby.

Recycling is a big problem, so longevity is key when shopping for underwear. "We [look for] products that will last a long time and become wardrobe staples." "Philips said. "We're making nude underwear to suit every skin tone and body shape -- I think every woman should have nude underwear, they're the basics."

Watch out for harmful chemicals.

Since underwear can come into contact with private parts, it is important to avoid harmful chemicals - if you can, look for Oeko-Tex certified products and products using natural dyed fabrics. "Dyeing waste is known to be dumped into rivers, causing all sorts of problems."

Isobel Williams-Ellis, co-founder of Pico, said, "Our natural dyes are treated with soap fruit before dyeing and are not bleached, and our carbon black range is dyed with dyes certified to the global organic textile standard GOTS."

Wash gently.

Gentle washing can help extend the life of your underwear. Wash at low temperature and use a garment protective bag. "We recommend keeping the water temperature at 30 degrees or starting a hand-washing program." "Uggerby said. She also recommends that you don't have to wash your bra every time you wear it if you don't have to.

Recycle old underwear.

To keep old underwear out of landfills, check out recycling programs from companies like Intimissimi.

Although it is currently difficult to convert old bras and underwear into new products, the fabric itself can be used to make insulation, mattress stuffing and cleaning rags. "Recycle as much as possible -- don't just throw it away." Uggerby concludes.