Fabric
Elastane / Spandex
Petrochemical plants in China, Korea and India
Impact score
25/ 100
Very High Impact
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint90 L / kg
Carbon footprint10 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy145 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingModerate shedding
BiodegradableNo
Durability3 years typical wear
Recyclability10 / 100
Data confidence
mediumMedium confidence — published ranges vary by region and process
Sources: Higg MSI 2023 · Textile Exchange 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useLow
Carbon footprintHigh
Chemical loadHigh
DurabilityLow
RecyclabilityNot recyclable
What is it
A stretch polyurethane fibre used at 2-8% in blends.
Why it matters
Even a few per cent makes a garment effectively unrecyclable, and it degrades within a few years.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Keep stretch content low, and choose 2% over 8% where you can.