Recycled polyester; our raw material.
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When starting our business, one of our priorities was to create practical, durable and comfortable products while reducing our impact on the environment. We wanted to do our part by minimizing our impact on the deterioration of the planet. For us, every move counts!!! ♻
We started by carrying out research on the choice of raw materials for the manufacture of our products. Our aim was to use a fabric of excellent quality, which was durable and which respected our environmental values.
Here are some disturbing data we discovered during our research on plastic pollution:
According to several experts, by 2050 there will be more plastics in the oceans than fish. Much of this pollution comes from single-use containers. 😲
This is why we have decided on the production of recycled polyester ♻. Its process of transformation by the recovery of used objects reassured us and we could also take advantages of the benefits of this material.
There are several types of recycled polyester, but for us, it is made from the recovery of plastic bottles from ecocentres and the oceans. Then, a mechanical process transforms the material into fabric. Here's how it works:
#1 - Collect of plastic materials.
#2 - Transformation of plastic into granules. (Mechanical process).
#3 - The granules are then melted and filtered in a device used to make filaments.
#4 - Assembly of filaments into polyester threads and weaving of the fabric ready for use.
Benefits :
- Recycled polyester requires no oil use in its processing unlike the creation of the trial fiber. This is very considerable since oil remains a very polluting non-renewable resource.
- Lower energy consumption and water use for its manufacture.
- It allows the reuse of waste intended for the sorting center and which would have ended up in our soil or in our lakes and rivers. This process allows the circular consumption of a product to extend its use and thus avoid landfill. Advantageous considering that a plastic bottle can take between 100 and 1000 years to decomposed! 😱
The inconvenients :
- On the other hand, one of the drawbacks of this recycling process is the degradation of the material during its mechanical transformation. So polyester is non-renewable and infinitely recyclable.
- In addition, when mixed with other materials, its transformation becomes more and more complex and, in some cases, must be carried out chemically, which is not as advantageous.
- Polyester, whether recycled or not, emits microparticles in the water when washed. These spills can be avoided by using a bag specifically designed for washing clothes.
In short, nothing is perfect! There will always be an environmental impact related to our consumption. The mere fact of existing connects us to the deterioration of part of the ecosystem. Certainly, we can and must make conscious choices to minimize our impact on the deterioration of the planet, but nothing is that simple. We must educate ourselves to be able to make the right choices for us and in line with our values for the good of future generations.
As a company, we are driven to do more. Step by step, we are going to improve both in terms of our manufacturing processes and in the choice of our packaging products and in all the steps related to our activities. We want to stay abreast of new technologies to improve our environmental impact and make our company a sustainable source of circular economy. Are you ready to do your part??