In short, polyester is plastic. Polyester fabric is a synthetic fabric woven with threads made from polyester fibers. Polyester fibers are the product ofa chemical reaction between coal, petroleum, air, and water. Not only is polyester derived from non-renewable resources, but the process of extraction from fossil fuels yieldsa high carbon footprint and significantbyproducts. Once it has reached the end of its product life, polyester fabric takes decades to break down.
how is polyester made?
Polyester is a manmade polymer. A manmade polymer is the result of a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules create a larger molecule. This larger, resulting molecule retains the structures of the molecules that create it. A high volume of pressure and heat (energy) is required for the chemical reaction to occur.
Let’s use an example to look at how to make a polymer. Let’s polymerize a molecule we’ll call ‘1’ and a molecule we’ll call ‘2’. The chemical reaction looks something like this: 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 +1 +2 + lots of pressure + lots of heat = 1-2-1-2-1-2. So as you can see, the resulting molecule is not an entirely new substance. In this case, 1+2 does not equal 3, but a chain of 1’s and 2’s (1-2-1-2-1-2).
Most commonly, the polyester polymer is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) molecules. PET is a thermoplastic, which means the plastic can be heated and reshaped or remolded into a different form. Because PETis aplastic, it is not porous like natural fibers. Thus, it isan effective moisture barrier and commonly used for packaging such aswater bottles. Packaging made from PET is labeled with the recycling number ‘1’.
The clear plastic water bottle you are drinking out of is the very same material as the clothing you might be wearing or ball of wool you’re knitting. The PET is just pulled, stretched, and melted in different ways.
is polyester recyclable? what’s the process to recycle water bottles into yoga pants or fleece?
Fortunately, PET is recyclablein a closed-loop recycling system. A closed-loop recycling system converts a product into another product without changing the inherent properties of the material. Many companies are now recyclingthe clear plastic bottles made of PET into polyester fabric. Though this does reclaima synthetic fiberthat may otherwise fill landfills, it still encourages polyester’s presence in the apparel industry. It is also an energy intensive process with many harmful toxic emissions released into the air including nickel, benzene, ethylene oxide, and ethylbenzene.
So PET (polyester) has thepotential to be recycled in a closed-loop recycling system. However, the actualization of that potential lies in a three step process: collection, conversion, and selling.
Unfortunately, collection systems for clothing are few and far between. What’s more, currently, PET can only enter the closed-loop recycling system through the form of a plastic with the recyclable label ‘1’.
As far as conversion goes, the process of recycling can yielda significant carbon footprint. When PET is reclaimed and processed into polyester fibers for the use of polyester fabric, the material is sorted, shredded, melted, and dyed. The dyeing process is less consistent for reclaimed substances, so the process often usesmore chemicals, energy, and water to achieve the desired effect than it would to dye a raw material.
Since polyester is stain resistant, the dyeing process for raw polyester fabric is already energy, heat, water, and chemical intensive. Further, polyester fabric must be colored with disperse dyes. Disperse dyes are insoluble in water. They must be applied in high acidic and extremely high temperature processes.
does polyester contain BPA?
No, polyester (PET or PETE) does not contain BPA (bisphenol A). BPA is an endocrine disruptor that is able to mimic the sex hormone estrogen. However, studies showthat plastic products that do not contain BPA and are marketed as BPA-free, still release estrogenic chemicals. An endocrine disruptor is something that interferes with how your hormone system works. Endocrine disruptors can effect sexual development, cognitive and brain development, susceptibility to cancer, obesity, and learning disabilities. Basically, your hormones call the shots. You don’t want to mess with – er, disrupt – them.
In astudy conducted on BPA-free plastic products that are designed to come in contact with food or drink, a wide variety of products were tested by exposure to just salt water or alcohol. Of the products tested, 70% released EA chemicals (chemicals that have estrogenic activity). After being exposed to conditions that the products would normally be subject to by consumer use (such as sunlight, washing and drying, or microwaving), more than 95% of the BPA-free products released chemicals that act like estrogen. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for an assessment of the effects of these EA chemicals on our bodies.
For more about what we don’t know (but would like to) about plastics and hormones look here.
For the full study on endocrine disruptors in plastics look here.
what is a polyester blend? what is poly cotton?
A polyester blend is a fabric containinga certain percentage of polyester fibers mixed with another fiber to create desired characteristics in the final product.For example, cotton isblended with polyester fiber (known as a poly cotton blend) to add comfort in breathability and softness,or rayon isadded to createa shiny finish to the textile. The care tag, which you can probably locate on the lower left seam of your garment, should tell you the exact percentage of the blend.
what are the properties of polyester fabric?
Polyester fabric isextremely durable. Since it is hydrophobic (water resistant), polyester fabric also dries quickly. It is also wrinkle resistant and does not stretch or shrink.Polyester fabric is a nearlyideal choice for outdoor and sporting clothing and gear. However, since polyester is water resistant, it grows bacteria much more readily than natural fiber fabrics. This can cause polyester clothing to smell pretty quickly after a wash. Further, it’s been found that washing cycles don’t always strip polyester of the odor causing bacteria.
This may cause us to wash our polyester clothes more. But here’s a pretty good excuse to skip laundry day: plastic microfibers. Plastic microfibers break free of our synthetic (polyester, nylon, acrylic) clothing in the wash. Then, these tiny bits of plastic flow through sewage water into the oceans. Or the sewage waste is spread on agricultural crops in what’s known as ‘sludge’ fertilizer. At a rate of 19,000 microfibers per article of clothing, per wash, these add up to half a million tons of plastic entering the ocean from laundryevery year. In weight, that’s equal to over 50 billion plastic bottles. To learn more about microfibers and what we can do about them, check this out.
To learn more about some fantastic natural fiber fabric alternatives to polyester, check this out.
I'm a materials science enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic at hand. My knowledge spans various aspects of material composition, synthesis processes, and their environmental impact. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about polyester.
Polyester is a synthetic fabric composed of polyester fibers, which result from a chemical reaction involving coal, petroleum, air, and water. The primary polymer in polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), known for its thermoplastic properties. This means PET can be heated and reshaped, making it versatile for various applications, including packaging such as water bottles.
The recycling of PET in a closed-loop system is feasible, converting clear plastic bottles into polyester fabric. However, the process comes with challenges. Collection systems for recycling clothing are limited, and the energy-intensive conversion process involves sorting, shredding, melting, and dyeing. The dyeing process for reclaimed polyester may require more chemicals, energy, and water compared to raw materials.
Regarding concerns about BPA (bisphenol A), polyester (PET or PETE) does not contain BPA. However, studies indicate that even BPA-free plastics may release estrogenic chemicals, posing potential health risks related to endocrine disruption.
Polyester blends, such as poly cotton, involve mixing polyester fibers with other fibers like cotton to achieve specific characteristics. Polyester fabric itself is durable, water-resistant, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor and sporting clothing. However, its water-resistant nature can lead to bacterial growth and odor retention.
One environmental concern associated with polyester is the release of plastic microfibers during washing, contributing to plastic pollution in oceans and agricultural soils. This issue prompts exploration of natural fiber alternatives to polyester.
In summary, polyester is a synthetic fabric derived from non-renewable resources, with environmental implications in its production, recycling, and usage. The article highlights the need for sustainable practices in the textile industry and the exploration of alternative materials to mitigate environmental impact.
