Polyester is the most common fabric in fashion today. The problem is, typical polyester is made from non-renewable petroleum and it’s energy-intensive to produce. But recycled polyester is fabric harvested from plastic that has been recycled, like plastic water and beverage bottles. The recycled polyester fabric process takes plastic bottles, cleans them, makes pellets of the recycled plastic and then melts it all into new thread. That thread is then knitted into fabric. There are many benefits to using recycled polyester we want to tell you about…
For Soul Flower Brand clothing, we only use recycled plastic bottle polyester when we use polyester. And it’s blended with organic cotton for extra softness and comfort.
Benefits of using recycled polyester fabric:
1. Recycled Polyester Fabric: it makes super comfy blends
Taking a material like organic cotton and blending it with recycled polyester results in a garment with higher durability, more crease resistance, better drape, and faster drying time. The two fibers also absorb dye differently, resulting in the iconic “heather” look we love!
2. Recycled Polyester Fabric: it gives plastic a second life
Around the world, 1 million plastic bottles are bought every minute. While most bottles go straight to a landfill, it’s possible to recycle them into textiles and other products. Demand for polyester fabrics made from recycled plastic creates a market for recycled bottles, which helps save more of them from a fate of 400+ years decomposing in a landfill.
3. Recycled Polyester Fabric: it’s a smart alternative to new poly
Recycling “waste” plastics (rather than drawing on more natural petroleum) saves 75% of the energy, 40% of the CO2, and 90% of the water required for production. And recycled polyester is the same quality as virgin polyester!
4. Recycled Polyester Fabric: it is cleaner than conventional cotton
As a synthetic fiber, recycled polyester doesn’t require land to grow. Emissions therefore aren’t exposed to human populations in the way they are when spraying conventional cotton fields with chemicals.
5. Recycled Polyester Fabric: it boasts a few pros over cotton
Polyester production uses much less water than cotton, and it’s used as a coolant, which is reused in the system. Dyeing polyester requires fewer chemicals than cotton.
Shop Recycled Polyester Clothing at Soul Flower >>
Sources
A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
A million bottles a minute | The Guardian
A Whopping 91% of Plastic Isn’t Recycled | National Geographic
Polyester vs. Cotton — Which Is Better for the Environment? | Gail Baugh, San Francisco State University
Pulse of the Fashion Industry | Global Fashion Agenda & The Boston Consulting Group
FAQ | Waste2Wear
Is Clothing Made From Recycled Bottles Sustainable? | Alden Wicker, EcoCult
