BY KATARINA GUENTHER
Some consumers may believe they are making a wise and responsible choice when they purchase clothing made of recycled plastic bottles, but is this a form of greenwashing? In the United States only, according to a 2019 study released by Reuters, over one million plastic bottles are purchased each minute, with 1,500 of those bottles being consumed each second.
Reusing plastic waste to keep it out of landfills is a major goal for the eco-conscious community because it is a heavily consumed product that takes about 450 years to break down. Create a new style trend by turning plastic water bottles into recycled polyethylene terephthalate ( RPET ) fabric.
Although it seems easy to produce products made from recycled bottles, turning the product into its final form can raise questions. The most common method for deconstructing cheap bottles is electrical recycling, which involves melting the plastic into a liquid form. The liquid is then broken into smaller pellets and extruded into much filament fibers. These pellets are used by a yarn or fabric mill to turn them into last products with brands like The Girlfriend Collective and Repreve, according to Marina Liao from The Zoe Report, a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication.
ARE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS ACCESSIBLE TO rPET POLYESTER?
Converting a repurposed bottle into a functional substance is not toxic on its own, but the process steps like dying and applying finishes like antimicrobial and hydrophobic coatings to the material may result in risky working conditions as well as the addition of chemicals to the clothing, making them likely unsafe for the wearer. Consumers may be misled into believing that certain recycled plastic clothing is less dangerous and less wasteful without right oversight and certifications in manufacturing.
Although post-consumer plastic water bottles have become a significant development to prevent them from ending up in landfills, it does n’t necessarily stop the clothing from eventually ending up there, despite brands like ADAY and Reformation having take-back programs to maintain the circularity of the item. Rather, because of the lower price, some brands have also been known to source queen plastic bottles to produce rPET polyester.
STANDARDS TO CONSIDER
To address both toxicity and waste concerns, specific certifications exist to protect against negative supply chain management, prevent greenwashing, and provide peace of mind to consumers. Names to watch out for include SA8000, which protects workers from unsafe working conditions and standardizes worker wages, and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, which checks all aspects of a garment for toxic chemicals. Lastly, the certification from the International Recycled Standard makes it possible for suppliers to use virgin plastic instead of recycled water bottles when making yarns. These are just a few of the steps brands can take, in Liao’s opinion, to lessen the possible health and climate risks associated with rPET clothing.
WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The use and life cycle of each piece of clothing made of synthetic fibers are different factors that must be taken into account. Comparing single-use packaging or other sources of microplastic in our oceans, it is virtually impossible to determine how much of it is produced by garment washing. However, using a garment wash bag or microplastic filter ( we like Guppyfriend ) can significantly lower the amount of microplastics that are released into waterways. While washing machine filters catch microplastics before they enter your drain, garment bags can help to reduce the friction between clothing fibers while washing and even capture microfibers that travel to our waterways. Washing items in warm water, using front-loading washing machines or those without agitators, and washing clothes less frequently are more ways to reduce microfiber shedding in synthetic fabrics. Of course, consuming fewer garments, shopping second-hand, and upcycling your clothing are fantastic ways to reduce your overall economic impact when it comes to fashion.
And when it comes to shopping for garments that use rPET fibers, there’s no need to feel guilty. Otherwise, opt to consider where the item comes from, what you can find out about the maker’s manufacturing practices, and whether another article of clothing might be better for you and the environment. There is no great answer to these questions, but they can leave room for more research, innovation, and understanding.
