Sofia Martinez
Polar fleece is a soft, napped, insulating fabric that is made from polyester, a plastic commonly used for clothing applications. It is often made from recycled plastic, such as plastic water bottles, and is crafted using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, or even recycled fleece. While polar fleece is a popular fabric used in jackets, hats, sweaters, and other clothing items, it is important to note that it sheds microplastics during washing, contributing to microfiber pollution in the environment. To minimize this impact, it is recommended to wash fleece in a filter bag or use a specialized laundry ball to capture these microfibers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, recycled plastic bottles, recycled fleece |
| Texture | Delicate, puffy, thin fibres, lightweight, warm, soft |
| Manufacturing Process | Spinning hot plastic into fibres, cutting, spinning, knitting, and brushing |
| Variants | Micro, 100, 200, 300, with numbers indicating weight in grams per square meter (gsm) |
| Uses | Jackets, hats, sweaters, sweatpants, diapers, gym clothes, hoodies, pyjamas, blankets, outdoor clothing |
| Care Instructions | Wash in cold water, low heat tumble dry or hang to dry, use a mesh or microfiber bag, fabric shaver or pilling comb to remove pills |
| Environmental Impact | High microfiber shedding, microplastic contamination, non-biodegradable |
| Health Impact | Potential absorption of plastic particles through the skin |
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What You'll Learn
Polar fleece is made from recycled PET bottles
Polar fleece is a soft, warm, and fluffy fabric made from polyester. It is often used in jackets, hats, sweaters, sweatpants, cloth diapers, gym clothes, hoodies, pyjamas, blankets, and high-performance outdoor clothing. The fabric is light, soft, and easy to wash.
Pioneered by companies like Patagonia and Malden Mills (now Polartec, LLC), the use of recycled PET bottles to create polar fleece has become an innovative way to reduce environmental impact. Patagonia, for instance, has a long history of environmental innovation, including the use of recycled soda bottles in their Synchilla® jackets in 1993. Similarly, Polartec's first recycled fleece, introduced in the early 1990s, was named "Soda-Bottle Green" to honour the colour of the discarded product.
Today, polar fleece made from recycled PET bottles offers several advantages. It provides exceptional warmth without weight, breathability, and durability. It is also lightweight, comfortable, and ideal for outdoor activities as it keeps you warm and allows sweat to escape.
However, it is important to note that washing polar fleece releases microfibers, a type of microplastic, into the water system. To minimise this impact, it is recommended to wash fleece in a filter bag or use solutions like Guppyfriend bags or Cora Balls.
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Polyester fibres are used to make fleece
Polyester is a plastic commonly used for clothing applications. It is the same material used to make plastic bottles. Polyester fibres are used to make fleece. The process involves heating petroleum derivatives until they form a thick syrup, which hardens and is then spun to form threads. These fine polyester fibres are woven into a light fabric and then brushed out, resulting in a thick, breathable fabric that retains heat, known as fleece.
The first generation of fleece was called Synchilla, and it quickly became widely used in sports and outdoor clothing due to its lightness, warmth, colourfulness, and relative inexpensiveness. It revolutionised the way we dress for cold weather. Today, fleece technology has improved, with the yarn now as fine as cashmere and often made from recycled plastic bottles.
However, it is important to note that not all fleece is made from recycled plastic. Both recycled and non-recycled fleece is derived from non-renewable petroleum, contributing to global warming. The production of fleece requires a significant amount of energy and harmful chemicals, including carcinogens, which can pollute the air and water.
Additionally, fleece sheds microfibres during laundering, which are released into wastewater and discharged into rivers and oceans. These microplastics do not biodegrade and can be ingested by marine life, causing issues throughout the marine food chain and ultimately impacting human health.
To mitigate the environmental impact of fleece, consumers can opt for ""Eco-fleece" made from recycled PET, reducing the need for raw petroleum and energy consumption. Buying high-quality fleece can also help, as it tends to shed fewer fibres than cheaper alternatives. Washing fleece clothing less frequently and using a microfiber wash bag or a Cora Ball can further minimise microfiber pollution.
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Plastic waste is transformed into polar fleece
Polar fleece, also known as synthetic fleece, is a man-made fabric that was invented in 1979 by Malden Mills, now named Polartec. It was designed as a lightweight and warm alternative to wool, particularly for outdoor use in cold and wet weather conditions. Polar fleece is made entirely of polyester (PET), which is a type of plastic. The delicate and puffy texture of fleece is created by spinning hot polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into thin fibers that are then cut, spun, knitted, and brushed into the desired product.
The process of transforming plastic waste into polar fleece has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces landfill waste by recycling used plastic bottles into a new, useful product. This initiative is environmentally friendly and consumes less space compared to traditional textile manufacturing. Additionally, polar fleece fabric is soft, durable, warm, and lightweight, making it a popular choice for clothing and outdoor gear.
However, there are also some drawbacks and limitations to polar fleece. One of the main concerns is the environmental impact of microplastic contamination. Fleece is known to shed microfibers during washing, which can pollute water systems. To mitigate this issue, consumers can use washing bags, laundry balls, or advanced filters to capture the fibers. Some brands, such as Patagonia and Polartec, are actively working on creating more environmentally-friendly fleece with high percentages of recycled fibers and reduced fiber shedding.
Despite the limitations, polar fleece remains a significant innovation in the textile industry. With proper care and washing practices, it offers a practical, comfortable, and affordable fabric option for modern life. The development of recycled fleece has paved the way for further advancements in sustainable textiles, with ongoing research and development focused on reducing environmental impacts and creating eco-friendly alternatives.
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Malden Mills and Patagonia developed synthetic fleece in 1979
Synthetic fleece was developed by Malden Mills, now known as Polartec, in 1979. The company was founded in 1906 and had been milling natural fleece since then. By the 1950s, Malden Mills had established a reputation for excellence in quality and R&D, with vertical integration in their factories that allowed them to innovate and advance their products.
The development of synthetic fleece was a breakthrough for the company, and it was quickly adopted by outdoor clothing brand Patagonia. The fabric was warm, lightweight, and able to wick moisture away from the body while cutting wind and keeping the wearer warm. It was a natural fit for outdoor clothing brands, and by 1983, Malden Mills was out of financial trouble.
The polar fleece fabric is made from 100% polyester, a plastic derived from a chemical reaction from petroleum and petroleum derivatives. This material is heated into a thick syrup that hardens and can then be spun into threads to be woven into fabric. The fabric is brushed so that the fibres break down and develop piles that resemble natural shearling.
Malden Mills CEO Aaron Feuerstein intentionally chose not to patent polar fleece. This allowed the material to be produced cheaply and widely by many vendors, leading to the material's quick adoption. Today, polar fleece is used in a wide variety of garments, from jackets and hats to blankets and sweaters.
Polar fleece is often made from recycled plastics, such as PET bottles, and is recyclable, helping to reduce landfill waste. However, a disadvantage of polar fleece is that it sheds microfibers, a type of microplastic, when laundered. These microfibers are released into waterways and contribute to microplastic pollution in soil, marine, and freshwater habitats. To mitigate this issue, polar fleece can be washed in filter bags or with the use of a Cora Ball to catch fibers.
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Non-recycled fleece is made from non-renewable petroleum derivatives
Fleece is a synthetic fabric that has flooded the clothing industry in recent years, particularly in the outdoor and technical fashion space. It is a popular fabric because it is lightweight, comfortable, moisture-wicking, and warm.
However, fleece is not an organic fabric. It is made from non-renewable petroleum derivatives, which are heated until they form a thick syrup or gloop that hardens and is then spun to form threads. These fine polyester fibres are woven into a light fabric and then brushed out, resulting in a thick, breathable fabric that retains heat.
The process of creating polyester for fleece is energy and water-intensive and uses harmful chemicals. The dyeing process for synthetic fabrics also has environmental impacts due to the high water usage and discharge of wastewater containing dyes and chemicals that are harmful to aquatic life.
While some fleece is made from recycled plastics, such as plastic water bottles, non-recycled fleece is still commonly made from non-renewable petroleum derivatives. This is a significant environmental concern as petroleum is a finite resource and contributes to global warming.
The use of non-recycled fleece has further negative environmental impacts due to the shedding of microfibers during washing, which can end up in water systems and the ocean. These microfibers can also be absorbed through the skin, potentially impacting human health.
To reduce the environmental impact of fleece, consumers can look for brands using recycled fleece or low-shed finishes, and wash fleece in filter bags or with laundry balls to catch fibers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, polo fleece can be made from recycled plastic, including plastic bags.
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic is spun into thin fibres, which are then cut, spun, knit, and brushed into the desired product.
Using recycled plastic for polo fleece helps to reduce landfill waste and utilises excess plastic in a non-pollutive way.
Yes, one potential issue is that the fabric may shed microplastics during washing, which can contribute to plastic pollution in water systems.
Some brands that offer polo fleece made from recycled plastic include UNIQLO, Patagonia, and Polartec. You can also try looking for second-hand options.
