How will it be when you wrap yourself in plastic?
Obviously, no one even wants to imagine that suffocation. What if i say, the synthetic fabrics you wear is a cousin of plastic!
Maybe they are:
Affordable,
Cheap,
Easily available,
wrinkle free,
Good elasticity,..
Is all these properties enough for being our second skin?
Before we delve into the issues, let's have a short brief on synthetic fabrics
History
Dates back to early 1800s, with the original goal to mimic natural fibers, especially the silk fabric. Silk was considered to be a labor oriented and expensive material, so there was a search for a cheaper alternative to silk.
This process started with chemically modifying the bark of trees and this led to the invention of 'modern day Rayon'. In 1924, viscose solution of xanthamate was found and this liquid was used in the production of rayon. We all are aware of the term 'Viscose Rayon' used popularly nowadays. It was considered as the 'artificial silk' as its lustrous like silk.
In 1931, came the advent of nylon, which was also called as 'miracle fiber'. Nylon's invention was a turning point for synthetics. This is the first man-made fabric which is entirely synthesized from petrochemicals. In 1950, wool-like acrylic( a plastic based fiber) was added to the line of synthetics. In the same time, polyester also started gaining momentum. Synthetics became widely popular in 1960s and 70s
How they are made:
The raw materials used for making these is petroleum. They require high energy use and crude oil. They are also referred to as plastic fibres. Chemically-derived fibers are joined together to create fabric. Common synthetic fabrics include polyester, acrylic, rayon, modal, nylon and spandex
Raw Materials:
Polyester is a chemical term which can be broken into poly-meaning many, and ester-a basic organic chemical compound. The principle ingredient used in the manufacture of polyester is ethylene, which is derived from petroleum. In this process, ethylene is the polymer, the chemical building block of polyester, and the chemical process that produces the finished polyester is called polymerization.
Plastic pellets: the result of polymerization
The polyester is obtained after polymerization. This long molten ribbons are allowed to cool until brittle and they are cut into tiny chips. These chips are melted to form a syrup like solution. The solution is put in a metal container called a spinneret and forced through its tiny holes and thus making yarns. When the fibers come out of spinneret huge amount of water is used to cool it. At this stage, other chemicals may be added to the solution to make it flame resistant, anti-static, or easier to dye. As the fabrics are drawn, they maybe textured or twisted to create softer or duller fabrics. These yarns are wound onto large bobbins and is ready for weaving process
Synthetic fibers: Manufacturing process
So.. what's happening now?
Nearly two-thirds of our modern day clothing is made from synthetic fabrics.
Unconsciously, we are wearing from head to toe, plastic made products. The fashion industry relies mostly on these synthetic fabrics. Instead of using tag like 'petroleum based fiber' on the label, special names like nylon, acrylic, polyamide,.. are being used. The simplified and ugly truth is we are wearing the cousin of a single-used plastic.
Major concerns:
Non biodegradable:
Synthetic fibers are derived from petrochemicals and are non biodegradable. This not only emits greenhouse gases but also exacerbates climate change.
Water usage:
Synthetic fiber production uses huge amount of water for cooling and processing.
Microplastic pollution:
When you wash clothes made from synthetic fabrics(mainly acrylic), tiny plastic fibers like microplastic are released into water. A single load of washing machine of synthetic fibers can release upto 7,000,000 microplastic fibers which ends up in rivers, lakes and oceans, posing a severe threat to marine life. They can even end up in the food chain, harming both animals and humans.
Who is responsible?
The problem is with us. we have been adjusted to the soft touch of fleece, water resistant nylon, drapey effects of acrylic, and moreover going behind fast fashion and dumping our wardrobe and then finally into the landfills.
When synthetic fabrics are cheaper, people find easy to try more outfits when compared to buying fewer outfits made of natural fabrics, which are priced little high.
Even though we can't avoid certain polyester fabrics like swimsuits, gym wear,.., we need to really think off 'Do we need synthetics in our
casual wear?
formal wear?
loungewear?
As a part of this ecosystem, we need to understand the impacts we create on the environment. At the least we need to rethink before buying a polyester fabric, whether it really deserves to be a product, that our mother nature loves.
May be few synthetic fabrics can give the soft, comfy and luxury feel, but no matter what.. its raw material is still a petroleum based, posing threat to environment.
As a clothing brand, Bias45 wants only the best for its customers. We know well how a torn crotch seam in a pant lay still in closet without getting repaired and then one final day, being thrown out. So, we just want to eradicate all the issues faced by a consumer when buying an outfit and we really wish their products to last long with strong stitch lines, using natural fabrics and not getting into the landfill in a short span.
We have exploited the planet a lot in the past 50 years. It's high time for us now to realise what had happened all through. We should be the deciding person to think whether to go behind trends, fast fashion, ultra fast fashion and getting influenced by media OR to choose an outfit that last longer, that suits our unique body type, keeps us comfortable in winter and summer, and the most important part that it is BIODEGRADABLE!
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