Sustainability in Textiles: Are Nylon and Polyester Oxford Fabrics Eco-Friendly?

Today we’re chatting about the fabrics over at SULY Textile. We produce oxford textiles with nylon and polyester. “But are they environmentally friendly? Let's find out!

What Are Nylon and Polyester?

Nylon and polyester are synthetic materials that are widely used in manufacturing clothes. Considering they’re strong as can be and easy to clean, I love a wipe. But they can be bad for the planet, too. Nylon and polyester are energy- and resource-intensive to make. They don’t degrade easily, so they can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. And producing these materials can release dangerous chemicals and gases into the air and water.

How Eco-Friendly are Oxford Fabrics?

Oxford nylon and polyester fabrics are durable, lasting a long time. And because these stretch polyester fabric can endure, clothes made from them are less likely to soon end up in a landfill. But we also should be thinking about how they are made. It is also important to consider the entire life of the product — from how it is made to how it is thrown away — to evaluate if it is sustainable.

Can Nylon and Polyester Ever Be Good for the Environment?

Although nylon and polyester both have negative environmental impacts, they can also be eco-friendly. These materials can be recycled, for example, to produce new products. This is good when it comes to waste in landfills. What’s more, new technology lets us make nylon and polyester from recycled materials, which is better for the environment still. We need to consider the pros and cons of using these materials, and figure out how best to minimize their impact closing our planet.

What is the Relevance of Sustainability Today?

So it’s really top of my mind today when it comes to the sustainability of textiles. More and more people are becoming aware of the way they shop affects the environment. They want eco-friendly and socially responsible products. Enter companies such as SULY Textile, which need to figure out how to create strong and good-looking stretchable polyester fabric while protecting the environment. That will take some creative thinking and a decision to generate responses that work for people and the Earth.

Are Oxford Fabrics Good for the Planet or Bad?

Overall, nylon and oxford polyester fabric have their upsides and downsides in terms of sustainability. They are durable and long-lasting, but producing them can be hard on the environment. It is critical that companies like SULY Textile search for opportunities to minimize the impact. This can be done through the search for materials, the more virtuous production of products, recycling and re-using. We can all contribute to a healthy plant if we make wise choices and work for a sustainable future.