Take a look at the label on your favorite shirt, and there’s a pretty good chance it is made from some percentage of polyester. You may not think anything of it, but the fabric you have been wearing for most of your life is actually bad news. After reading this article, you may be inspired to do a little closet cleanup and we don’t blame you. History of Polyester Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from a material that is derived from petroleum. It was first developed by two British chemists, John Whinfield and James Dickson, in 1941 and was called Terylene. DuPont would later create the second generation of polyester fiber. Why It is Bad Polyester is Bad and Harmful to the Environment Polyester fabric is notorious for being harmful to the environment. However, many people do not know exactly why. Here are some of the main reasons:
Not biodegradable - Unlike organic cotton or hemp, polyester is not biodegradable; meaning, it will not decompose for 20 to possibly 200 years after production. If that doesn’t make you want to shy away, we don’t know what will.
A source of pollution - Polyester, among other synthetic fibers such as nylon and acrylic, makeup for nearly 60 percent of the world’s clothing materials. That means, anytime they are put through the wash, hundreds upon thousands of fibers are released into the water supply.
Energy-intensive - Not many are aware of this, but polyester is created through a heating process that requires an immense amount of energy. This is known as polymerization. During this process, several chemicals react with one another at temperatures ranging from 302 to 401°F. After polymerization occurs, the long polyester fibers need to cool and gallons of water are required for this step.
Polyester is Bad For Your Health
On top of polyester being harmful to the environment, it is also harmful to your health. Polyester fibers consist of several chemicals that can trigger a laundry list of reactions in the body. Mostly, because it is absorbed into the skin when worn. The effects of polyester on your health can range from rashes to a possible risk of cancer (because of the carcinogens the fiber carries). In addition, polyester is thought to have an impact on overall organ health, especially the liver and kidneys. Polyester is Not Breathable Most synthetic fabrics, for that matter, are not breathable. This is because they are durable and water-resistant, so there are no pores for your skin to breathe and perspiration to escape. Talk about uncomfortable! Polyester is Difficult To Dye
Because polyester is a synthetic material, it is also very difficult to dye. However, it is not to say it cannot be done. Here is an article from Spruce Crafts explaining how exactly it can be done, with the help of some ironing and fabric markers. Dip-dying the polyester can be done as well, but should only be executed if you have extensive experience with dying fabric. Some Good Features Polyester is Wrinkle, Weather, and Stain Resistant
Polyester is a very resilient fiber, meaning that it can withstand a lot of wear and tear before its appearance is completely altered. Polyester is also treated with a great number of chemicals, which allows it to repel pretty much anything it comes in contact with. So, no matter if the issue is wrinkling, heavy rain, or pesky stains; polyester can take it all. A guide to caring for polyester Polyester Withstands Mold And Mildew So long as your clothing is kept clean and dry, polyester will not attract mold and mildew as much as other fibers. Polyester and other synthetics are what they call “hydrophobic”. This means that these fibers repel and prevent water from being absorbed, as mentioned earlier. Polyester is Durable Polyester is flexible and can be modified easily, making it ideal for any type of garment. It has a natural stretch, but it can bounce back to its original shape if necessary. Also, polyester will not shrink like cotton unless a high heat setting is used. Recycled Polyester is the Way to Go While recycled polyester still requires a large amount of energy to produce, it takes far less energy than virgin polyester. It is mechanically or chemically recycled and consists of either pre-or post-consumer textile waste. Recycled polyester possesses the following advantages over the standard variety:
Eliminates the landfill
Reduces soil, air, and water pollution
Still produces a quality garment
Promotes a closed-loop system
Brands That Use Recycled Polyester Apparel
Toad & Co.
Toad & Co. uses recycled polyester for its lightweight, highly repellant features. All recycled polyester fabric used to create their clothing is made from 100 percent post-consumer plastic bottles, and approximately nine bottles are used to make one of their t-shirts. Toad & Co. recognizes that recycled fibers are the future of fashion, and they are committed to using recycled polyester for years to come. Check out Toad & Co.’s recycled polyester styles here.
Adidas
Adidas wants to save the oceans, and they are starting by using recycled materials across their collections. Recycled polyester happens to be their most used textile, and it is an integral part of their mission to provide their customers with high-performance products that also improve the company’s environmental footprint. All of Adidas’s recycled polyester products can be found here.
Gucci
This one may come as a bit of a surprise, but yes, even Gucci has jumped on the recycled polyester bandwagon. The legendary Italian luxury brand is now incorporating Newlife™ polyester into their ready-to-wear collections. This fiber is made from 100 percent post-consumer plastic bottles that are processed mechanically instead of chemically (which saves the environment greatly!). Click here to read more about Gucci’s efforts to incorporate recycled materials. Home
IKEA
IKEA announced in early June that they would be using only recycled polyester in their textile products by the year 2020, and making the switch across the board to all recycled materials by 2030. Today, about 50 percent of their textile products are made from recycled polyester. This is their first attempt to end their dependency on materials that have been proven harmful to the environment, and they hope to contribute to the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and pollution across all operations. We think they can do it. None of this is meant to scare, we are simply issuing a warning. After all, you deserve to wear the best! We only hope this encourages you to be more conscious of the fabrics you put on your body. About Us At CommonShare, we understand the fashion industry inside and out—the good, the bad, and the potentially incredible. We are experienced and passionate product developers and sustainability experts who are raising the bar for a higher standard of doing business—socially, financially, and environmentally. Our mission is to enable a more efficient, less wasteful way of producing clothes and textiles. Our platform unites and aligns suppliers’ and buyers’ efforts and intentions with better network and commerce tools—providing forward-thinking buyers and brands a more optimal way to source fabrics. Our streamlined approach to sourcing, not only provides transparency, but it connects you with like-minded suppliers who are more connected to your brand and its initiatives than ever. Sign up to CommonShare today! For Brands [ Click here] For Suppliers [Click here].