Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is soft, absorbent, and hypoallergenic. Bamboo grows without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. It is however a very woody plant and must therefore undergo serous transformation to become a soft material, which may or may not involve harsh chemicals.
Hemp Fiber
Material made from hemp is very durable, long lasting, and moth resistant. Hemp grows without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It has been legal to grow in Canada since 1998 and farmers all across the country are beginning to grow this very useful crop.
Fair Trade Cotton
Fair trade certification (www.trainsfair.ca) ensures a fair price is paid to cotton producers. On top of the fair price, a Fair Trade premium is also paid, which goes directly to community development projects: schools, hospitals, infrastructure, etc. For a garment to be labeled Fair Trade certified, every step in the production process must be fair trade certified, including factories in Canada.
Lyocell
A manufactured fiber derived from wood pulp or regenerated cellulose more specifically. Lyocell is similar to Rayon.
Organic Cotton
To be considered organic, cotton must be grown without pesticides, synthetic/chemical fertilizers, and the seeds must not be genetically modified. Like fare trade, organic is another complicated process with many issues however there is a group called Global Organic Textiles Standards working to fix these issues.
Recycled Fabric
This can mean various things but generally means second hand clothing was used to produce new clothing. Sources of second hand clothing ranges from huge sorting houses (distribution centres for second hand clothing shops), second hand clothing shops, bizaars, and direct donation. Some designers get access fabric from manufacturers that would otherwise be thrown out.
More Information
Fibrethik is an organic and fair trade cotton purchasing cooperative.
Fair Trade Labeling Organization (FLO) is responsible for the international certification of fair trade.
Trans Fair Canada is responsible for certification within Canada.
OrganicClothing.blogs.com is a great resource for information regarding many different organic, natural and sustainable fabrics.
Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance is an advocacy group for industrial hemp production.