Hello to all lovers of sustainable fashion! Did you already know about recycled polyester? You probably associate it with regular polyester, which doesn't have the best reputation for sustainability, but today we're going to talk about recycled polyester, as it has a completely different story. Do you want to know why? Keep reading!
What is recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester is a type of polyester made from recycled plastic materials , such as plastic bottles or scraps from other textile products. Instead of using virgin raw materials, recycled polyester uses recycled materials, thus reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or in the ocean.
Advantages and benefits
Recycled polyester has several advantages and benefits when compared to regular polyester and other textile materials. Some of these advantages are:
Waste reduction
Recycled polyester uses recycled plastic materials, such as plastic bottles or scraps from other textiles, which helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Saving energy and natural resources
The production of recycled polyester consumes less energy and natural resources than the production of common polyester, since it does not require the extraction of virgin raw materials.
Less environmental impact
It has less environmental impact than conventional polyester, since it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air, water and soil pollution.
Quality and durability
It is of great quality and durability, in fact, it is very similar to conventional polyester, which means that it is an excellent sustainable alternative for garments and textile products.
The cons
The limitations of recycling plastic
A large part of the garments are not only made of polyester, but are made of a mixture of polyester with other materials. Therefore, it is much more difficult to recycle .
In fact, a large amount of recycled polyester is obtained through mechanical recycling, since it is not that expensive compared to other processes. Also, this method does not need chemicals, it only requires the detergent to wash the input materials. However, through this mechanical process, the fiber sometimes loses its strength and therefore it is necessary to mix it with virgin fiber.
Release microplastics
Some people claim that recycled polyester reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. However, a study conducted at the University of Plymouth in the UK states that each cycle of a washing machine releases 700,000 plastic fibers or even more into the environment.
On the other hand, it is important to mention that all sustainable materials have negative and positive aspects , but they are the best alternative to reduce the impact that fashion generates on the environment.
How is recycled polyester made?
The recycled polyester production process begins with the collection of recycled plastic materials , such as plastic bottles or textile scraps. Then, they are cleaned and crushed into small plastic flakes.
These flakes undergo a washing and drying process to remove any remaining impurities. They are then melted down and made into polyester filaments. These filaments can be used to create cloth or to produce other textiles , such as sewing threads or stuffing for pillows.
It is important to note that the production process for recycled polyester is more complex than conventional polyester. Since, the recycling of plastics involves a series of additional steps, such as the separation of different types of plastics, the removal of labels and bottle caps, and the removal of any impurities or contamination.
In addition, its production process consumes less energy and natural resources than the production of conventional polyester, which is very positive, since it reduces its environmental impact.
How is it different from virgin polyester?
- First of all, the recycling process restores the fiber from a molecular point of view and for this reason, there are not many differences between recycled polyester and virgin polyester . The difference between one and the other is that recycling has less environmental impact.
- On the other hand, recycled polyester and virgin polyester differ mainly in their production process and their environmental impact. Virgin polyester is produced from virgin raw materials, such as petroleum, while recycled polyester is produced from recycled plastic materials, such as plastic bottles.
- The virgin polyester production process involves the extraction and processing of raw materials , consumes a lot of energy, natural resources and emits greenhouse gases. On the other hand, the recycled polyester production process consumes little energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases, since it uses existing materials instead of extracting new raw materials.
- Recycled polyester reduces the amount of waste and the need to extract more natural resources, making it a more sustainable and responsible option for fashion and other textile products.
- Recycled polyester and virgin polyester are similar in terms of quality and durability, as both are strong and durable. However, it is important to note that the quality of recycled polyester can be affected by the quality of the recycled plastic materials used in its production.
Is recycled polyester good?
It is important to note that recycled polyester is not the perfect solution, there are challenges and limitations in its production and use, such as the limited availability of recycled materials and the potential loss of quality in the recycling process. However, in general, recycled polyester is a sustainable and environmentally responsible choice.
Why choose recycled polyester?
What can be done with recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester can be used in a wide range of textile and non-textile products, including:
Clothes
Recycled polyester is commonly used in the production of clothing, such as garments, sportswear, and bedding. Recycled polyester garments have similar quality and durability to conventional polyester clothing, but with less environmental impact.
Would you like to obtain garments of this type? We have a beautiful collection of recycled clothing , made with recycled polyester from plastic bottles and used mattresses.
Cheer up! There is nothing better than dressing well and protecting the environment. Do your bit and promote environmental protection with the sustainable fashion .
Clotsy Brand not only has recycled clothing , it also offers vegan clothing suitable for all skin types and that does not cause itchy skin . Within its catalog there are garments with a Vichy print for different occasions and styles thanks to its adaptability, garments made of organic cotton , sustainable dresses made with lyocell fabric from its " Respect " collection, viscose outfits, linen fabric and corduroy fabric to accessories such as vegan bags , socks and many more that you can choose from.
Go ahead and look amazing with these clothes that are also slow fashion !
Construction bottles
It is often used to make bottles and other containers used in construction. These recycled polyester products are strong and durable, making them an excellent choice for construction.
Curtains, upholstery and carpets
Thanks to its great durability, it is also possible to produce carpets, curtains and upholstery material. Opt for sustainable items for your home and avoid contributing to the pollution of the planet by promoting the use of less polluting products. These tips will help you lead a sustainable life .
Conclusion
Now that you know a little more about recycled polyester, would you like to opt for products of this type? By using recycled plastic materials instead of virgin raw materials, the amount of waste is reduced, energy and natural resources are saved. I invite you to get to know the upciclying movement.
By buying recycled products, you will be contributing to the reduction of waste, the conservation of natural resources and the construction of a more sustainable future for all.
Opt for a more respectful lifestyle! There is nothing better than feeling that you are contributing to the protection of your environment.
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