Silk fabric presents very few environmental problems, unless of course you are a worm, though production levels are limited, but increasing due to great demands for this fabric. Dying and printing processes do contribute to environmental problems, though, and must be considered. Flax is an ancient plant and a popular provider of linen fabric. It can be grown without pesticides and has a low environmental impact in production. A recent resurgence in growing industrial hemp for a number of household products, building materials, paper, and fabrics is gaining international interest.
Many countries are able to legally grow the hemp plants, and manufacture many new products.
It is a very hardy plant, requiring little nourishment and water. Rayon and acetate are from renewable cellulose materials but create many toxins in their fabric production. Synthetic fibers, which have permeated the market since World War II, are manufactured from crude oil and chemicals such as phenol, vinyl chloride and other plastics. They create hazardous waste, they don't biodegrade and can't be recycled. The finished fibers themselves can outgas.