Polyester is popular the most used fabric in the fashion industry worldwide. Demands for the fabric are only increasing and at first glance, it’s easy to see why.
The fabric is stretchy, comfortable, durable and it’s wrinkle-resistant. I mean what’s not to like? That is of course unless you like to shop sustainably and care about the environmental impact of the clothes you buy. In that case, there is a very long list of disadvantages of polyester.
FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
In this blog post, we will be exploring the sustainable pros and cons of polyester.
So let’s dive into the big question keeping you up at night (or maybe just popped into your head while googling random stuff): is polyester sustainable?
What is polyester?
Polyester is a man-made fiber made from petroleum-based materials. This means polyester is a synthetic fiber like nylon or viscose – not a natural one such as cotton, wool, or linen.
The fabric is used in a wide range of clothing and other products. It is known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and ability to retain its shape, but its production and disposal unfortunately have negative impacts on the environment.
One of the main concerns with polyester is the fact that it is made from non-renewable resources. Petroleum is a finite resource, and extracting and refining it can have negative impacts on the environment, including air and water pollution.
In addition, the production of polyester generates greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Polyester can also be recycled, which is a more sustainable option than throwing it away. Recycling polyester uses fewer resources and generates less pollution than producing it from scratch. In addition, many clothing brands now offer programs to collect and recycle used polyester clothing, which can help to reduce waste and conserve resources.
One of the key considerations when it comes to the sustainability of polyester is how it is produced. Virgin polyester (also known as PET) is made from non-renewable materials such as plastic and petroleum which have a negative impact on the environment.
How is polyester made?
The process of making polyester begins with the production of a chemical called purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG). These chemicals are combined to form a substance called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is the basic building block of polyester.
Next, the PET is heated and processed in a special machine called a polymerization reactor. This process causes the molecules of the PET to bond together and form long chains of polymer. The polymer is then cooled and extruded into fibers through small holes in the bottom of the reactor.
Then the fibers are wound onto large spools and transported to a textile mill where they are spun into yarn.
The yarn can then be dyed, twisted, and woven or knitted into a variety of fabrics, including polyester. This includes everything from clothing to home furnishings, to industrial uses like car interiors and seat belts.
After the fabric is made, it can be treated with various chemicals and finishes to give it specific properties such as wrinkle resistance, flame resistance, or UV protection.
It’s important to note that the process of making polyester is energy-intensive and generates pollutants and by-products, which have a negative impact on the environment.
So is polyester sustainable? Not according to what we’ve found out so far. But maybe polyester has its benefits. Let’s dive deeper into that below.
The pros and Cons of Polyester
Now that we’ve covered what polyester is, it’s time to dive into the pros and cons of polyester. Spoiler alert: There are a lot more cons than pros.
The sustainable benefits of Polyester
1. It is possible to recycle
Polyester can be recycled, which is a more sustainable option than throwing it away. Many clothing brands now offer programs to collect and recycle used polyester clothing, which can help to reduce waste and conserve resources.
This means that recycled polyester is given a second chance or a second life if you will, instead of the materials ending up in landfill or the ocean – which is kinda great since the material isn’t biodegradable.
2. The durability of polyester:
Polyester is a very durable fiber, and clothing made from it can last for a long time. This means that it can reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills, as people will not need to replace it as frequently.
Unfortunately durability isn’t what seems to impact whether or not people throw away clothes today. Most people throw out clothes simply because they believe the item is out of fashion or doesn’t like it after a couple of months – not because the item is broken.
So with that in mind the durability of polyester doesn’t make a sustainable fabric in itself.
The negative impacts of polyester:
Now that we’ve covered the sustainable pros of Polyester, it’s time to dive into the sustainable problems of polyester – and unfortunately, there are heavier sustainable consequences than benefits of this fabric.
1. Made from plastic
Polyester It is made from the most common type of plastic in the world polyethylene terephthalate (PET). As you might know, plastic isn’t exactly the environment’s number one friend – quite the opposite actually. So a material made from plastic isn’t very environmentally friendly either.
2. Non-Renewable Resources:
Polyester is made from petroleum-based materials, which are non-renewable resources. The production of polyester often has negative impacts on the environment, including air and water pollution. In addition, the production of polyester generates greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Not very sustainable, unfortunately.
3. Microfiber Pollution:
Polyester is a type of microfiber, and when it is washed, it can release tiny particles into the water. These microfibers can end up in rivers and oceans, where they can be ingested by fish and other marine life. Polyester, therefore, contributes to water pollution, which means it ain’t gonna make it to the list of “most sustainable materials”.
4. Not biodegradable:
Polyester is not biodegradable, which means that it can take a long time to break down in the environment. When it is discarded in landfills, it can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Not exactly what you are looking for in a sustainable fabric.
5. Chemical Pollution:
The production of polyester can generate chemical waste, which can pollute the air and water. These chemicals can be harmful to human health and the environment. So actually polyester is not only damaging the environment but also poses a health risk.
6. Petroleum Dependence:
Because polyester is made from petroleum-based materials, it is dependent on this non-renewable resource. As the demand for polyester grows, the demand for petroleum will also increase, which can have negative impacts on the environment.
7. Non-Natural:
Polyester is a synthetic fiber, which means that it is not natural and does not come from plants or animals. Natural fibers are known to be more environmentally friendly than man-made fibers, so this is another minus point.
Other advantages and disadvantages of polyester
Poor Breathability:
Polyester is not a breathable fiber, which means that clothing made from it can make the wearer feel hot and uncomfortable. This can be a problem in warm weather, as it can make it difficult to regulate body temperature and stay cool.
A static material
Clothing made from polyester can be prone to static, which can be annoying and uncomfortable. This can cause the clothing to stick to the body or cling to other objects, which can be frustrating to deal with.
Easy care:
Most polyester fabrics are wrinkle-resistant and are easy to care for beacuse of their strongest. Polyester doesn’t tear easily and it remains “crips” and wrinkleless, making it an easy fabric to wash and care for.
How sustainable is recycled polyester?
Polyester can be recycled, which is a more sustainable option than throwing it away. Many clothing brands now offer programs to collect and recycle used polyester clothing, which can help to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Recycled polyester is made by melting down existing plastic and respinning it into new polyester fibers, which can then be used for clothes.
Recycled polyester can be made from both used materials (such as used plastic bottles) or post-industrial materials.
The production of recycled polyester takes up less energy than virgin polyester and reduced the amount of petroleum, which is used to make polyester.
If polyester is made from recycled materials and used in long-lasting, high-quality clothing, it can be a more sustainable option than other synthetic fibers.
However, recycled polyester is still made from plastic, and studies show, that the recycling process still releases microplastics.
So is polyester sustainable?
In conclusion, polyester has both sustainable pros and cons – though the cons seem to overrule the pros by far.
On the one hand, it is a durable and recyclable fiber. Unfortunately, so is many fabrics, including natural once such as linen, that do have a much smaller environmental impact. Polyester is made from non-renewable resources and can contribute to microfiber pollution. Another problem is, that the material isn’t biodegradable, which isn’t great since a lot of clothes end up in landfills.
So is polyester sustainable? No, it’s not.
If you really love polyester but still want to make a sustainable choice go for recycled polyester – it is no matter what better for the environment than virgin polyester and helps keep plastic away from landfills.
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