Flame retardant finishes are another problem. Substances such as carcinogenic TRIS-phosphate, which has been banned for children's sleepwear, are being used less and less as flame retardant on textiles. There are now available fabrics made with some recycled PET content made from recycled plastic soda and milk bottles. Consider the materials that are used around children, sensitive people and the elderly, and consider minimizing the need for fabric treatments. Unfortunate for land utilization, grain production, water conservation and the animals themselves, we are a country of enormous beef consumption.
Leather is a waste product of that industry.
Leather tanneries in South America and India are very serious polluters. Most European leathers are tanned with mineral salts and some dyed with vegetable materials. Certain colors of leather, such as red, can have lingering odors. The textile industry is in a tough position. With many mills, sometimes foreign, contributing to a single fabric house's line, it is difficult to oversee production and finishes while meeting the need for high-performance fabrics.