The environmental benefits of recycled water bottles are obvious: the material can be converted into polyester. Polyester is the most widely used textile fiber in the world, and it accounts for nearly half of total production, despite being made from fossil fuels. Polyester from recycled plastic bottles is far more sustainable than virgin polyester, which is derived from climate-changing fossil fuels. Then again, recycled water bottles aren’t the only benefit of recycled water bottles.
Sealine Products vurderinger of plastic bottles has become a big trend in today’s fashion industry. In fact, according to the World Wildlife Fund, a single plastic bottle takes 450 years to decompose. Yet in the same year, Reuters reported that the recycling rate of PET bottles was 27.9 percent. This rapid growth has made the use of recycled water bottles for clothing an attractive option for fashion conscious consumers.
As concerns about plastic pollution increase, people are demanding more sustainable apparel. They are holding companies to account for their actions in protecting the environment and supporting those that are making a difference. According to Accenture research, more than half of UK consumers want brands to stand up for environmental responsibility and fair employment. This is an excellent starting point for eco-conscious apparel. So, which apparel brands are making a difference? Read on to discover how you can support the cause and find products that are made with recycled plastic.
Environmental impact
Eco-friendly apparel made from recycled water bottles and other materials has similar characteristics to normally produced clothing. These garments are a smart investment as they cut down on the use of natural resources. Recycled water bottles also help the environment by reducing pollution. By purchasing these products, you are indirectly contributing to sustainable living. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of recycled water bottle apparel. The first benefit is obvious: recycled polyester clothes are more environmentally friendly than conventionally made polyester. In fact, recycled PET bottles can help reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases by more than seventy percent. In addition to that, recycled polyester helps reduce pollution by promoting an economic incentive to recycle plastic bottles.
Another benefit is that recycled plastic water bottles can be converted to polyester, the most widely used textile fiber in the world. In 2019, polyester made up 52 percent of global fiber production compared to only fourteen percent made from recycled materials. Recycling plastic bottles is an effective way to minimize the environmental impact of clothing while maintaining style and fashion. For example, water bottles are a more sustainable source of polyester than virgin polyester, which comes from fossil fuels, which cause climate change.
Cost
There are a number of different brands that offer eco-friendly apparel. Reformation is one of these companies. Its sustainability efforts are centered around sourcing locally sourced fabrics, using bluesign-certified dyes, recycling 75% of its waste, and investing in water and emissions offsets. The company also calculates the environmental impact of each garment. To help shoppers, Reformation offers an Eco-Friendly Guide that lists all of its partners and their environmental footprints.
Another popular option is polyester made from recycled plastic water bottles. Polyester is the most common textile fiber in the world and makes up 52 percent of the fiber produced worldwide. Yet only 14 percent of this recycled polyester comes from recycled plastic water bottles. That means that recycling recycled plastic bottles is a far better option than virgin polyester, which comes from petroleum. Microplastics from polyester fabrics can enter the food chain and end up in our air and water.
Transparency in supply chain
Consumers are demanding more information about the products they buy, including the supply chain of a product. Providing more information about the conditions and working conditions of the companies that produce your eco-friendly apparel could cost your company 2% to 10% of the product’s value. Transparency in the supply chain can also attract workers who want to work for a company that puts people first, such as Patagonia, which has a low employee turnover rate at less than four percent per year.
Increasing transparency in the supply chain is important for many reasons, including operational benefits. Detailed information on supply chain performance helps companies identify unnecessary middlemen and better plan their operations. Transparency helps companies meet regulatory requirements, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. While supply chain transparency may not be part of the standard job description today, the demand is not likely to fade. Alexis Bateman, director of MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics, and the director of MIT’s Sustainable Supply Chains program, says that supply chain transparency is increasingly important for businesses, as it is a way to address both environmental and social challenges.