Polyester, a common clothing material, has suddenly faced a reputational collapse online this winter. Many netizens claim that polyester garments are made by melting and drawing fibers from discarded plastic bottles, joking that “wearing polyester is like wearing a whole body of plastic bottles,” and even expressing concerns about potential microplastic pollution risks. These discussions reflect public attention to clothing materials while exposing cognitive misunderstandings.
The rumor arises because both polyester and plastic bottles are primarily composed of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), yet they differ fundamentally in production processes, structural design, and performance standards. Just as wheat can be made into bread or brewed into beer, polyester and plastic bottles are entirely different products sharing the same raw material but processed differently. Polyester for clothing undergoes complex spinning, drawing, and setting procedures to achieve softness, breathability, wrinkle resistance, and other garment-specific properties—distinct from the rigid structure of disposable plastic bottles.
Some people equate polyester with poor quality. In reality, every fabric has unique characteristics, and its advantages and disadvantages are not absolute. From the popular “Dacron” (polyester/cotton blend) and pure polyester of the 20th century to today’s fleece, chiffon, coral fleece, and Thinsulate, polyester’s decades-long application and development are justified. As a mass-produced synthetic fiber, it allows more people to access brightly colored, diverse-style clothing at lower costs. Compared to natural fibers, polyester also offers greater plasticity: through manufacturing and textile technologies, it can mimic the warmth of wool, the drape of silk, and the skin-friendliness of cotton. High-quality polyester requires more sophisticated production techniques and delivers superior performance—making it unfair to generalize about polyester’s quality.
Regarding microplastic concerns, “detection of presence” does not equal “actual harm.” There is currently no conclusive evidence that microplastics can penetrate the skin barrier to directly harm human health. Rather than microplastics, what truly requires vigilance is residual chemical agents like formaldehyde in low-quality garments. New clothes should be washed to remove surface residues. When purchasing clothing, refer to China’s mandatory technical standards: prioritize Class A garments, followed by Class B garments safe for direct skin contact. Avoid cheap, low-quality clothing to significantly reduce health risks.
Fears of wearing polyester made from discarded plastic bottles are also unfounded. Textile recycling and circular utilization are still in their infancy and have not been scaled up, meaning clothing made from plastic bottles is not common. Moreover, converting plastic bottles into textiles involves multiple industrial chain links and complex processes—not just simple “melting and drawing” to weave fabric. By the time plastic bottles become fibers and then clothing, all traces of the original waste bottles are gone.
Additionally, the transformation from plastic bottles to textiles emphasizes the core concept of green environmental protection and circular utilization, not a direct causal relationship. Since recycling costs currently exceed those of manufacturing new products, most polyester on the market is still produced from petrochemical raw materials. Garment production using recycled materials remains an experimental, demonstrative practice limited to a small number of high-end brands building a “green image” and pilot projects—such as the uniforms worn by the Chinese delegation at the Paris Olympics. From an environmental perspective, circular recycling deserves praise rather than criticism, as it represents the cutting-edge direction of the textile industry.
Public attention to clothing materials reflects a pursuit of quality of life, as well as misunderstandings about the circular economy. This indicates that while the circular economy in textiles has vast potential, it also requires guiding the public to deepen their understanding of recycling. Some online influencers deliberately juxtapose images of dirty plastic waste with bright clothing to create unnecessary anxiety and resistance. In response, the textile industry must, on one hand, educate the public to view the circular economy rationally through publicity, and on the other hand, drive technological innovation to make green recycled products more economically viable and comfortable, gaining wider acceptance and fostering a green lifestyle.
Everyone needs to wear clothes. Faced with a flood of online opinions, instead of being swayed by one-sided information, we should take the initiative to learn about the circular economy and raise environmental awareness.
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