What is polyester?

Polyester is a synthetic textile made from plastic.

"The plastic most commonly used in textiles is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester. Most synthetic fibres (approximately 70%) are made from polyester and it is now used in around 60% of our garments.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/1952/report-summary.html#content

How is polyester made?

"Synthetic fibres like polyester, are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and require an energy intensive production process... Synthetic textiles can either be made from plastics, such as polyester, polyamide and acrylic, or from plant materials that are chemically dissolved and then spun into fibres, such as rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and cupro...."

• https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/1952/report-summary.html#content

What is polyester used in?

• Polyester is used in a variety of ways from the fabric in clothing to 

Is polyester eco-friendly or sustainable?

No, polyester is extremely polluting for the environment because it is produced using fossil fuels, it sheds microplastics into water and land, and it does not break down once disposed.

In 2016, our predecessor Committee highlighted how trillions of tiny pieces of plastic are accumulating in the world’s oceans, harming marine life and entering the food chain.186 Research has shown that marine habitats worldwide including shorelines, sea surface, deep sea and arctic sea ice are polluted with small plastic pieces less than five millimetres long. Synthetic fibres are common in most samples and have also been detected in commercially important fish and shellfish.187.... Textiles are estimated to be the largest source of synthetic fibres in the oceans with microplastics shedding into the water system every time garments are washed.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/1952/report-summary.html#content

Evidence suggests that when synthetic textiles are landfilled or incinerated they can also leach microfibres into the environment.

Fashion Revolution (SFI0056)

When synthetic fibres are produced, combined into yarn and woven into fabrics, it is possible that fibres are released into the air and environment.

Friends of the Earth (SFI0069)

As much as 20% to 35% of all primary source microplastics in the marine environment are from synthetic clothing, according to academic estimates.189

Kirsi Laitala, Ingun Grimstad Klepp and Beverley Henry, Does Use Matter? Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Clothing Based on Fiber Type (July 2018)

A single 6kg domestic wash has the potential to release as many as 700,000 fibres.

Professor Richard Thompson (SFI0007)

• Is polyester bad for the environment?

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/climate/pfas-forever-chemicals-wildlife-animals.html?te=1&nl=climate-forward&emc=edit_clim_20230224

• Is polyester toxic to wear?

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2022/01/new-tests-find-toxic-forever-chemicals-bedding-yoga-pants-and-other

https://www.consumerreports.org/toxic-chemicals-substances/school-uniforms-have-high-levels-of-dangerous-pfas-chemicals-a2854000563/#:~:text=There%20is%20evidence%20that%206,to%20health%20risks%2C%20DeWitt%20says.

• What is the environmental impact of polyester?

• Why do major fashion brands use it?

• Polyester vs cotton : bullet comparison of carbon footprint, water usage, and social impact

"A polyester shirt has more than double the carbon footprint of a cotton shirt (5.5 kg CO2e vs. 2.1 kg CO2e)" chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://matteroftrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SustainableApparelMaterials.pdf