Polyester is one of the widely used materials in our industries, mainly for making garments. According to recent stats, about 50% of the world’s clothing uses polyester. It is because polyester is durable, lightweight, and easy to dye. Despite these qualities, polyester is not a natural material that leaves us the question: Is polyester sustainable?
So, let’s dig in and see if polyester is sustainable or not. Make sure to read till the end because we’ll cover some sustainable polyester alternatives that you can consider instead of polyester.
What Is Polyester Made Of?
Polyester is not a natural material and is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is the most common type of plastic used worldwide and is the reason that makes polyester a non-sustainable material.
In some conditions, polyester is also made using petroleum. Yes, it is a natural raw material, but it is non-renewable, which is the reason behind its non-sustainability. Thus, polyester has significantly harmful impacts on the environment during production, use, and disposal.
For your information, polyester is not biodegradable as it can take over 200 years to decompose while polluting the environment.
Contents
When Is Polyester Sustainable?
Yes, polyester is a synthetic material, but still, it is considered sustainable from the consumer’s view. Polyester fabric has a lot of benefits that make it a sustainable synthetic material for consumers. The essential characteristic that makes polyester material sustainable is its durability.
The following are some other characteristics that make polyester a sustainable material for use:
- It is a very durable fabric, so it lasts longer than other materials
- Resistant to wrinkling and shrinking
- It retains its shape perfectly and is easy to dye
- It is a quick-drying fabric that makes it a perfect option for outdoor activities
- Easy to clean as it requires less water and energy
- Resistant to many chemicals and is lightweight
All these characteristics make polyester a sustainable material from the consumer standpoint. However, there are some disadvantages as well. So, let’s check a few of them:
- Wearing clothes made of polyester makes you feel uncomfortable
- Polyester has deficient moisture absorption, which makes you feel sweaty
- It is not suitable for people with sensitive skin
- Polyester is highly flammable, so you’ll need extra care while wearing it
- It might get smelly, especially if you sweat more
Is Recycled Polyester More Sustainable?
Polyester is recycled to lower its harmful effects on the environment. It is perhaps one of the best polyester alternatives you can consider for more sustainability.
Recycled polyester (rPET) is made by collecting plastic wastes of different types. You will be surprised to know that recycled polyester has the same consistency, durability, and colorfastness compared to the original polyester. Despite this, recycled polyester is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than virgin polyester.
Compared to virgin polyester, recycled polyester is sustainable, saves 50% of energy during production, and produces 70% less CO2.
Recycled polyester is by far a decent alternative to original or virgin polyester. However, we can’t call it the best because recycled polyester has limitations. It is said that recycled polyester will have less durability. Also, the recycling process of polyester is not environmentally friendly.
What Are More Sustainable Polyester Alternatives?
Apart from recycled polyester, many polyester alternatives are more sustainable and less harmful to our health and environment.
Below are our top four sustainable alternatives to polyester.
1. Linen
It is perhaps one of the most sustainable alternatives to polyester that you can consider. This strong fiber is derived from the flax plant and produces zero waste when converted into fabric. Thus, its conversion process is less harmful to the environment.
Linen garments are usually a bit expensive and are expected to last longer. So if you see cheap options, ignore them because they will not last longer than you expect.
2. Organic Cotton
Organic cotton could be another best sustainable alternative to polyester. In fact, it is the most sustainable version of cotton that is free from toxic chemicals. Using organic cotton instead of polyester will give you more sustainability as it uses 62% less energy for production and produces 46% less greenhouse gas.
Thus, garments made using organic cotton are better for your skin and the environment.
3. Hemp
Hemp is another one of the most sustainable fabrics that you can use instead of polyester. It has a similar texture to linen and is produced widely in almost every part of the world. Also, it is biodegradable, and unlike polyester, clothes made from hemp are breathable to wear in every weather.
4. Bamboo
Have you ever worn silk garments? If yes, you will not feel any difference in garments made of bamboo. This fabric is almost similar to silk but is less expensive. Also, bamboo is highly breathable and doesn’t have harmful environmental effects. So, you can consider bamboo as one of the most sustainable polyester alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is polyester synthetic or natural?
Polyester is a synthetic material, so it contains different chemicals harmful to human health and the environment. Yes, it is a durable fabric with many disadvantages, but it is not the most sustainable.
Q2: Is polyester biodegradable?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric, which is why it is non-biodegradable. According to an estimate, polyester can take up to 200 years to decompose fully. And during this process, it pollutes the environment by emitting harmful chemicals.
Q3: Is polyester environment friendly?
No, polyester is a type of plastic that is the major source of pollution, and it takes almost 200 years to decompose. It also sheds numerous toxic microfibers that are dangerous for us as well as aquatic life.
Q4: What is more sustainable than polyester?
There are many sustainable alternatives to polyester like linen, organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. You can also consider recycled polyester, but it still has some limitations.
Conclusion
Polyester is only sustainable when we look from a consumer standpoint. It has many advantages that you don’t get in other fabrics. However, you can’t ignore its negative impacts like breathability and comfortability.
In short, polyester is not a sustainable fabric, both for our health and the environment. If you still want to go for polyester, we recommend recycled polyester as it is way better than virgin polyester. Or else, you can go with other sustainable polyester alternatives that are eco-friendly.
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