Behind our Fiber Score
We look into the fiber — PRODUCTION → PROCESSING → USE → END OF LIFE — and turn it into a single number.
How FFF rates fibers when it comes to understanding which fiber is better, the palette of greys is enormous.
There are so many variables that it can quickly become overwhelming — and difficult to tell what really matters.
A natural fiber isn't automatically a better fiber and a synthetic fiber isn't automatically a bad one, A certification for the finished garment's chemical safety doesn't automatically tell us how the fiber was grown.
Every fiber on FFF receives a score from 0 to 100. We look at the evidence behind it, not just the name on the label. No proof, no extra points.
The interesting part is what happens to the fiber along the way — PRODUCTION → PROCESSING → USE → END OF LIFE
This is one reason two fibers that look very similar on a composition label can end up with very different scores.
What does the score actually measure?
Behind every number are eight areas we investigate: Process toxicity What chemicals are involved and what risks do they create?
1- Microplastics Does the fiber release microplastic?
2- Biodegradability What happens to the material when it reaches the end of its life?
3- Water How much water does production and transformation require?
4- Pollution and wastewater What happens to the chemicals and water used during processing?
5- Sourcing Can the material's origin and production be traced?
6- Land and inputs What does growing or producing the fiber require from the land?
7- Global environmental impact.
8- How does the fiber's overall production and lifecycle affect the environment?
Then two principles sit across all of them:
Durability because a garment that lasts has a different impact from one that needs replacing quickly.
Circularity Can the material be recycled, and does it have a realistic route back into use
More shades of grey, more proof A good story isn't enough.
A certificate, a licensed material name or a traceable origin can change what we know about a fiber.
A certification for the finished garment's chemical safety doesn't automatically tell us how the fiber was grown.
A recycling certification doesn't automatically make a material biodegradable. And a prestigious fiber name doesn't automatically prove its quality.
Natural doesn't tell the whole story.
A plant-based fiber can involve intensive water use or problematic processing.
A recycled synthetic can have a genuine recycling route.
A natural fiber can be difficult to recycle once blended with materials such as elastane or Acrylic
The process matters. The evidence matters. And what happens to the material afterwards matters too.
No proof, no points. That's one of the simplest rules behind the FFF score.
One number. A lot behind it.
We publish all information and the criteria because we don't expect you to simply take our word for it. You can look at the evidence. You can disagree with the weighting. You can see what we couldn't confirm and that's exactly what fascinates us.
See what it's made of before you buy.