The textile industry’s reliance on polyester fabric poses significant environmental challenges, prompting innovative solutions and a shift towards sustainable practices in fashion.

The textile industry is currently grappling with significant challenges posed by the pervasive use of polyester fabric, which accounts for nearly 60% of clothing produced globally. This synthetic material has become a cornerstone of modern fashion since its invention nearly 85 years ago, touted for its durability, color retention, and resistance to wrinkling. However, it poses substantial obstacles for the growing green fashion movement aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of the industry.

As reported by Báo Pháp Lu?t, polyester is widely accepted as the most popular fabric in the clothing market, as indicated by the Textile Exchange organization, which highlights that approximately 49% of all clothing contains this material. A notable concern is that polyester is not biodegradable, contributing to a burgeoning textile waste crisis. Reports estimate that the fashion industry generates around 92 million tons of textile waste annually, and this figure is projected to soar to 134 million tons by the end of the decade, according to findings from the Waste and Resources Action Programme. Alarmingly, only 1% of clothing is currently recycled into new garments.

In response to these challenges, IBM (USA) and Technip Energies (France) have collaborated on an innovative solution known as Reju. This process involves breaking down polyester at a molecular level using a combination of ethylene glycol and heat to dissolve polyethylene terephthalate (PET), transforming the molecules to facilitate infinite recycling into new polyester.

As consumer awareness of sustainability rises, the green fashion movement has gained traction, emphasizing the need for environmentally responsible production and consumption. Green fashion, also referred to as sustainable fashion, seeks to address the negative impacts of traditional fashion on both the environment and society. This approach encompasses various strategies, including the use of eco-friendly materials, waste reduction, enhancement of working conditions for laborers, and promotion of responsible consumption practices.

Dr. Carol Tan from RMIT University has provided six key recommendations for fashion businesses aiming to diminish their environmental footprint. These recommendations include:

1. Reducing Overproduction: Companies should strive to minimize overproduction by leveraging data to forecast demand accurately. Transitioning to an on-demand production model, where items are created only upon customer orders, is ideal.

2. Improving Raw Material Sourcing: Businesses are encouraged to enhance their raw material sourcing by opting for more sustainable materials, such as plant-based fibers and regenerated cellulose, while ensuring fair wages and work conditions for those involved in sourcing.

3. Adopting Circular Business Practices: Emphasizing the importance of circular business models, fashion brands should design products for longevity and implement systems for repairing, reselling, and recycling garments.

4. Enhancing Transparency: Increased transparency regarding supply chains and production processes is essential for enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

5. Investing in Research and Development: Allocating resources to research and development can yield significant advantages, including the discovery of new, sustainable garment production methods, such as more water-efficient dyeing techniques.

6. Educating Consumers: Finally, fashion brands have a responsibility to educate consumers about the environmental consequences of their purchases and best practices for prolonging the lifespan of clothing, thus reducing their overall carbon footprint.

As the dialogue around sustainability and green fashion continues to evolve, the textile industry must confront the substantial challenges presented by materials like polyester while exploring innovative solutions and practices that align with the principles of sustainability.

Source: Noah Wire Services