It’s high time we bring the textile industry under the spotlight of sustainability. The recklessness while buying clothes can do more harm to the environment than you can imagine. Polyester is one clothing material you need to avoid. While it’s cheap and one of the most popular fabrics in the fashion industry, it also does not require any ironing because of its wrinkle-free properties. This fabric is durable, cheap, easy to wash and quick to dry, it’s almost too good. But that is not the case if you look at some of the impacts of polyester on the environment.

Here are some reasons that will make you think twice before buying polyester and hopefully make you switch to sustainable clothing.

1. Polyester is a Synthetic Fibre.

Have you thought about from where the everlasting material polyester comes from? Its fibres are produced from natural gas and oil and then weaved together to make clothes. First produced in 1941, polyester has come a long way.

The fact that it is petroleum-based fibre, a non-renewable source, makes it unsustainable.

2. The High Energy Requirement

97 Megajoules of energy is required to produce just 1 kg of polyester, while compared to 60 Megajoules for cotton. Only the petroleum products are used for generating energy for production of this petroleum-based fabric.

3. It Causes Microplastic Pollution

Most of the synthetic polyesters are not biodegradable. They are known to be the biggest source of microplastic pollution. The microplastics are heavily polluting our oceans and are a big threat to marine animals.

4. Harmful Toxins

Its manufacturing involves the use of some heavy toxic materials including carcinogens and toxic dyes (polyester cannot be dyed using natural dyes), which are deadly not only to the environment but also to our health.

5. Polluting the Developing Countries

Countries like China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are mainly responsible for the production of most of the world’s polyester. While you may keep yourself busy buying outfits, the pollution of water and air in these poor countries takes a toll on the people who live in the vicinity of the textile plant.

On the bright side, polyester is recyclable. Only a few types of this fabric which are high-quality fabric can be recycled. Repreve is a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, commonly used in swimwear, rainwear, and sportswear. The recycled polyester is a sustainable choice, although difficult to spot in the market. So, try sticking to natural fibres when you go shopping.