UNIT 7
In recent years, the world has been overwhelmed with fast fashion: certain companies introduce new collections of clothing and accessories almost every week. The value (both financial and moral) of fast fashion clothing has decreased significantly, so such items get thrown away much faster.
It is not that obvious at a first sight why fast fashion is so harmful. There are many different reasons: first, fast fashion clothing is usually produced in less well-off countries where people work in poor working conditions and receive extremely low wages. The production of such clothing requires a lot of resources (raw materials, water, electricity, etc.) and most often produces a highly negative impact on the environment. Finally, as mentioned above, fast fashion items get thrown away pretty quickly – in the best case, they can be recycled; in the worst case they end up in a landfill and stay there for ages. It is not always obvious what our clothing is made of and what future awaits it.
Have a look at the table below:
1. Polyester
What is it? How is it produced?
Polyester is a common name for “polyethylene terephthalate” (PET or PETE), so basically it’s plastic. This synthetic fiber is derived from petroleum; the whole process is very energy-intensive.
Can it be recycled?
Synthetically produced polyester is not biodegradable. It can be recycled (certain types of polyester), but it could be difficult
if it is blended with other fibers or materials.
2. Recycled polyester
What is it? How is it produced?
Recycled polyester (rPET) is made from recycled plastic bottles: either mechanically (by being melted into new yarn) or chemically (by breaking down plastic molecules). This process requires fewer resources and produces fewer CO2 emissions.
Can it be recycled?
Recycled polyester fabric is not biodegradable and cannot be recycled again. It takes years to decompose after being thrown away.
3. Nylon
What is it? How is it produced?
Nylon is a synthetic type of plastic made of very strong polymers produced from crude oil. It is most commonly found in swimwear and underwear, socks, stockings and pantyhose.
Can it be recycled?
Nylon is not biodegradable. Some forms of nylon can be recycled, but quite few companies do that because the process is more expensive than the actual production of nylon. Certain organizations are now looking into the possibility of reducing the costs of recycling.
4. Cotton
What is it? How is it produced?
Cotton is a water-intensive crop; traditional production of cotton requires a lot of insecticides and pesticides. Cotton production leads to the exhaustion of the soil and destruction of local habitats.
Can it be recycled?
Cotton is completely biodegradable. It can also be recycled by being broken down into raw materials and spun into yarn and fibers.
5. Organic cotton
What is it? How is it produced?
Organic cotton is produced with less negative impact on the environment: no harmful substances are used, and ancestral farming methods are applied (crop rotation, mixed farming or no-till farming).
Can it be recycled?
Organic cotton is biodegradable
and can be recycled.
6. Rayon/viscose
What is it? How is it produced?
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber produced from regenerated cellulose derived from wood pulp (mostly eucalyptus). The process requires a lot of chemicals (that can also be harmful to the people working with them), energy and water.
Can it be recycled?
Rayon is biodegradable andcan be recycled.
Your Task
Pick three to five items of clothing, check their composition and decide how they can be recycled.
Research the localities around you that accept clothes/footwear for recycling.
Make a post on social networks to let your followers know what you have found.