When we talk about plastic threatening our environment, few people stop to think that they are wearing plastic clothes.
The fashion industry is the second largest in the world, and according to Textile Network, in 2018 it added 111 million tons of textiles , of which 71.1% were synthetic materials. Fast fashion has become the norm when it comes to buying clothes or accessories, however, something is changing. More and more, customers, before buying, stop to investigate what material the item in question was produced with and demand that it be as environmentally friendly as possible.
"Polyester has become the basic raw material for this industry:
accounts for more than 50% of the fibers."
Plastic can also be harmful to our health. Plastic is a durable material with exceptional qualities, but when you wear, use or wash plastic fabrics, the textile material deteriorates. Since plastic does not decompose, but rather disintegrates into smaller particles, these harmful particles end up floating in the air and water, possibly entering our bodies.
What can we do about this? Recycling synthetic fibres is not an option, as it will not prevent the emission of harmful particles. Today, our need for clothing means that we are polluting the planet and ourselves. It doesn't have to be this way. There are plenty of alternative materials and processes, but we also need to change our behaviour to reverse this. We need to choose wisely and buy what we really like and need, and try to go for brands whose products have been produced sustainably, with natural materials and under fair conditions.
"We must not forget the responsibility of the textile industry in the climate crisis, and
which is considered the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases."
The growing number of sustainable brands that recycle plastic when producing gives us a wide range of possibilities to make a positive contribution to the environment when we want to buy fashion. Parafina, for example, is an alternative to conventional sunglasses, since we incorporate PET or HDPE plastic in the production processes, in addition to other recycled and sustainable materials.
We also find brands like Lefrik, a backpack and travel accessories brand that contributes to the environment by reducing the use of virgin polyester and extending the life of discarded plastic bottles, while saving energy in the production process. Their products are designed in Spain and ethically manufactured in Asia because they have the best techniques to make polyester from recycled PET plastic bottles.
