CONVENTIONAL PET
What is PET? Petrochemicals make polyester (PET). It is a synthetic non-biodegradable and unsustainable fibre. Nearly 70 million barrels of oil are used each year to make the worlds commonly used polyester fibre. Conventional PET is often used for athletic wear. Polyester is a low-maintenance, fast drying and wrinkle free material. It can be treated with a myriad of finishes for different technical benefits like adding wicking and anti-bacterial prop- erties. Keep in mind that these finishes are chemical additives that impact this material.
The release of micro plastics during washing is a significant issue. Research is ongoing to explore the extent of the problem and its effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. In the cases where we can’t use an rPET fabric, we recommend sourcing from a reputable supplier with a strong commitment to environmental management practices. The CDFA recommends looking for garments that are designed for less washing, wash in cold water and air dry - and avoid dry cleaning.
RECYCLED POLYESTER (RPET) FABRIC BLEND
RPET stands for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate, also know as Recycled Polyester. It is made from discarded plastic water bottles, which helps to keep them out of the landfill and reduce the amount of petroleum used to produce new polyester fibres. RPET tees and blends have a smooth texture, good drape and are durable.
The Textile Exchange promotes the use of rPET, as it reduces soil contam- ination, air and water pollution, and requires less energy to manufacture than new polyester. Most importantly, plastic degenerates each time it’s reheated, so it can’t be infinitely recycled into new water bottles because it won’t meet food grade standards. Recycled polyester provides a great new use for that plastic.
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