16/08/2022
Important:
-Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum, chemicals, water and air. It’s production is an energy-intensive process and results in high levels of pollution and chemical by-products.
-The production of polyester can be dangerous for workers, while the products themselves can be harmful to our health as consumers and the environment.
-Investing in high-quality clothing made from natural, sustainable fibers is an investment in our health and the environment.
It’s nearly impossible to live in our modern age and not own something that’s made with this infamous fabric. Polyester has swept nations since the 1940’s.
Destruction is what polyester causes. From the textile mills to our homes and even our natural environment, polyester has harmful effects that are not to be overlooked.
Polyester is not a durable fabric, leading to a constant wardrobe renewal loop of the fast fashion industry. Good for business, bad for us and the planet.
All synthetic fabrics can be harmful to both those who make them and those who buy them.
Harmful chemicals are used during all stages of polyester production. This makes textile factories, where over 300 million people work, a dangerous environment. Chemicals and toxins enter the air and water supply and have been known to cause major problems in villages near the textile plants.
Textile factories are infamous for having terribly low safety standards. Millions of workers (many of whom are children) are regularly subject to chemical exposure, machine injuries, building instability, and fires.
Polyester fabric releases chemicals like phthalates into the air and through contact with the skin. These chemicals have been shown to cause hormone disruption and health issues.
Polyester is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water rather than absorbing it. This, paired with its inability to breathe, can lead to uncomfortable sweating and even skin irritation. Not ideal for those with sensitive skin; issues like eczema or psoriasis, or certain allergies.
As a plastic and petroleum-based product, polyester is non-biodegradable and highly toxic to our planet. The manufacturing process itself requires over 70 billion barrels of oil each year and uses twice the amount of energy to produce as cotton. Natural and low-impact dyes do not work on polyester fibers, so harmful chemical dyes are used and later disposed of in our waterways.
Sadly, the detriment to the planet doesn’t stop with production. After we purchase a polyester item, thousands of tiny plastic fibers are shed with each wash, eventually landing in our oceans. Polyester garments and bedding are believed to be the biggest source of microplastic pollution in our oceans and water systems.
An alarming 85% of textile waste is sent directly to a landfill where these synthetic plastic fabrics will outlive us – by centuries.
Thankfully, each choice that we make as consumers towards a more sustainable, healthier environment is a step in the right direction.
This belief and hope for a better future is the driving force behind our mission at Eticora. We are working towards healthier babies, healthier people, and a healthier planet.
We choose to make every decision with the environment’s welfare at heart:
-We source natural, biodegradable and organic fibres; cotton and h**p.
-We manufacture locally and ethically in Melbourne, and utilise a zero-waste policy.
-We design unique sustainable clothing that grows with your baby.
Changing the world takes time, but it is possible. Even one purchase at a time. 💚
