topic Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose in Fashion

Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

susieq1 — Mon, 06 May 2019 01:39:55 GMT

QVC please get your vendors to use natural fabrics! Your clothing sales of synthetic materials are killing our environment

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Kachina624 — Mon, 06 May 2019 01:46:15 GMT

I don't think QVC clothing sales are killing anything except maybe my credit card. I don't want a wardrobe if cotton; it's impractical for my lifestyle. I like a mix of poly/cotton which has the best characteristics of both. You'd do better to nag the users of plastic bags and bottles, Styrofoam, and K-cups.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

sunshine45 — Mon, 06 May 2019 01:54:57 GMT

i donate my clothing......some go to people/charities in the usa, some go to people and charities abroad who have very little, but have a big need

i also resell clothing.

consider recycling!

"There are tons of amazing sustainable resources and organizations that will take your too-far-gone clothing, accessories and textile items, and repurpose them for other uses. Uses like making home insulation, pillow stuffing, car seat stuffing, and even “new” fabric made from recycled fibers.

Here are some great textile recycling programs and resources to help you recycle anything from socks, to athletic shoes, to bras, old fleeces and everything in-between."

terracycle fabrics and zero waste box

th bra recyclers

council for textile recycling

gemtext

souls4soles

green tree

wearable collections

secondary materials and recycled textiles

H&M dont let fashion go to waste

donation town

nike, reuse a shoe

patagonia, common threads

the north face, clothes the loop

(via trashisfortossers.com)

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Drythe — Mon, 06 May 2019 02:53:41 GMT

I prefer natural fibers, because to me they are much more comfortable, in that they breath, do not feel slinky / slick, and do not cause me to perspire.

Maintain them willingly in deference to my own comfort.

Likely there is room for all tastes.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

CAMOGIRL — Mon, 06 May 2019 02:35:34 GMT

Seriously? Oh I am not even touching this one.....

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

WindingRoad — Mon, 06 May 2019 04:00:14 GMT

This is serious enough that it was on NBC Nightly News today. The landfills are full of polyester clothing and some companies are trying to find ways to reuse and recycle it. This is a serious environmental issue and it's sad to hear people just laugh it off. On TV they said "polyester. Is plastic". There's coincidentally another thread about this about two days ago. We can all start to change this right here at QVC. If you care that this is currently one of our the biggest environmental challenges let them know with your wallet.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

dooBdoo — Mon, 06 May 2019 19:41:45 GMT

I think it's always a good idea to discuss the harm done to our precious planet, and to listen, read and learn, and find even the smallest ways we can try and be "part of the solution." All of these plastics, including polyester, are creating devastation. Learning about one type of pollution and applying that knowledge doesn't mean we can't also care about and learn about all of the other types. Even though my choice is natural fibers and I wish more emphasis were placed on their benefits... they, too, can have some problems when we look into how they're sourced or produced. No simple answers, but worth the conversation, in my opinion.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Desertdi — Mon, 06 May 2019 08:25:39 GMT

And the answer is: Recycling

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Foxxee — Mon, 06 May 2019 18:20:25 GMT

IMO, it isn't unreasonable to ask QVC to carry more natural fabrics, offering more would help, as long as polyester is available for those who like it, but it's a touchy subject here.

I think most QVC buyers prefer polyester because it is wash and wear, doesn't wrinkle, shrink, fade, itch, and the fabric is less costly than natural fabrics. Some are allergic to wool.

Plant based fabrics like cotton require a lot of water, so environmentalists complain about it.

Denim & Co has increased it's cotton clothing...Gary Goben says more customers are requesting it. Martha Stewart carries a lot, too. Isaac has cotton. He's also using ramie and has been carrying cashmere. I see more linen and cotton mix appearing this Spring. Irish sweaters are made of 100% wool.

But, good luck getting QVC to make a major switch. It would lose a lot of customers.

I think the answer is a new fabric similar to polyester that has a much lower decomposition rate. For now, recycling is part of the answer.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

millieshops — Mon, 06 May 2019 09:43:16 GMT

@susieq1I'm another person who does not want my wardrobe 100% cotfon for reasons of fit and style and care and comfort. I want both.

I don't question that synthetics put their burden on the environment, but natural fibers aren't without their sins either. They require massive amounts of the world's water, a product in short supply on every continent.

I do know that when we overbuy and can't wear out the majority of our excess, no matter the fabric, damage to our bank accounts is probably less than the damage to the environment no matter the fabric.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Krimpette — Mon, 06 May 2019 11:21:27 GMT

I donate my used clothing that I no longer wear. I guess ultimately it might end up in a landfill, but hopefully, others get use out of the items long before then. I prefer polyester to cotton. Not a fan of all cotton at all, for the most part.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

songbird — Mon, 06 May 2019 11:33:19 GMT

Re/Done jeans is a company that makes jeans our of old donated jeans. In fact, they encourage you to donate a jean and get a discount to buy another one. Reformation, I think is another one. Some jean companies will advertise that they use up to 70% less water to do the endless washes during the production of jeans.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

susieq1 — Mon, 06 May 2019 11:41:00 GMT

Polyester,plastic,Styrofoam it's all the same.....killing our environment

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

ALRATIBA — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:22:26 GMT

@susieq1 wrote in her headline:

Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

@susieq1

Polyester hasn't been around for 100 years ... how can it be scientifically proven to be true?

Even if it is ever proven to be true - it would be an advantage for folks who have limited incomes ... their clothes would last forever ... just keep handing them down from one generation to the next.

No one would ever again be wearing ragged clothes.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

dex — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:09:25 GMT

@dooBdoo @At least natural fibers break down faster than poly and they are more expensive.Maybe people would buy less and wear their things longer rather than filling the dump with fast fashion.I read that some countries won’t take our used clothing...too hot and not useful for much after it is worn.Cottons can still be used for many things after their lifespan.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

mspatmac — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:36:29 GMT

@WindingRoad wrote:
This is serious enough that it was on NBC Nightly News today. The landfills are full of polyester clothing and some companies are trying to find ways to reuse and recycle it. This is a serious environmental issue and it's sad to hear people just laugh it off. On TV they said "polyester. Is plastic". There's coincidentally another thread about this about two days ago. We can all start to change this right here at QVC. If you care that this is currently one of our the biggest environmental challenges let them know with your wallet.

I try not to buy polyester clothing but do have a couple of poly chiffon blouses I have had for years. No liquid knit for me. Every little bit we can do helps. Use reusable washable cotton bags for grocery bags, use stainless straws rather than plastic (yes I carry with me) and a really big help is to buy a bracelet for $20 from 4ocean.com They are made from recycled materiels and each bracelet = 1 lb of trash removed from the ocean. Check out their web site and see the great things they are doing. Allbirds makes shoes out of recycled materiels too. Lots of other companies are trying to change and that;s great. Use glass storage containers, mesh fruit,veggie bags instead of the plastic ones provided by grocery stores. Look around your home and I bet there are lots of little changes you can make. And of course RECYCLE!!!!

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Carmie — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:48:13 GMT

The majority of used donated clothing is hauled to the landfill, even if it is in like new condition. Some of it is sent to other countries where it is distributed to the people there, but they want cotton t shirts and shorts, pants and skirts and dresses, not ladies polyester blouses and pants. It is way too hot for their weather.

Millions of pounds of clothing is discarded everyday. As Americans, we own way too much clothing and most of it is plastic junk. Ladies in Europe own fewer clothing items, but better, well made items. They know it will last for years.

American's are used to disposable clothing...we buy and purge every year and brag about it. Plastic fabric is ruining our water too and killing fish and plant life.

We won't stop polluting our planet until we are forced to.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Puppy Lips — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:54:13 GMT

@WindingRoad wrote:
This is serious enough that it was on NBC Nightly News today. The landfills are full of polyester clothing and some companies are trying to find ways to reuse and recycle it. This is a serious environmental issue and it's sad to hear people just laugh it off. On TV they said "polyester. Is plastic". There's coincidentally another thread about this about two days ago. We can all start to change this right here at QVC. If you care that this is currently one of our the biggest environmental challenges let them know with your wallet.

I saw that new report too. I did not realize that so many people just throw clothes away. I always donate mine, unless it is underwear. Even if the donation center does not want it, they may pass it along. I know our Goodwill will sell truck loads of stuff that it does not want or does not have room for. Hopefully it all gets to someone who can wear or use the items.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

SilleeMee — Mon, 06 May 2019 18:00:21 GMT

I asked a person who worked at a big donation center about their clothes. The person told me that a lot of it goes into landfills because they receive too much of it and have to do away with it. They said there is just way too much and nobody wants it.

Re: Polyester fabric takes at least 100 years to decompose

Grouchomarx — Mon, 06 May 2019 18:04:58 GMT

This thread is making me remember that Seinfeld episode where George decides to switch the Yankees uniforms to 100% cotton, with disastrous results. Hilarious!