Transforming Plastic: The True Cost Of Clothing

The fashion industry has been criticised for producing cheap clothing that is often made from plastic materials. In response, some companies are now turning to recycled plastic as a more sustainable alternative. However, it currently costs 10 to 15 per cent more to make clothes with recycled plastic than with synthetic fabrics. Despite this, some companies are betting on consumers being willing to pay more for sustainable products, and that as more brands adopt this approach, the cost will decrease.

It costs 10 to 15% more to make clothes with recycled plastic than with synthetic fabrics

The fashion industry has been criticised for producing cheap clothing that is often made offshore in unethical factories, using synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment. Recycling plastic into clothing is a way to address this issue, as it ensures that otherwise wasted resources are being used again. However, it is important to note that not all clothing made from recycled plastic is truly sustainable. Fast fashion brands have been accused of greenwashing, as many of their recycled polyester lines may not contain a significant amount of recycled plastic, and the clothing may still end up in landfills.

A life cycle assessment conducted in 2010 found that using recycled materials could lead to savings of 40-85% on non-renewable energy from fossil fuels, resulting in potential global warming reductions of up to 75%. This highlights the potential environmental benefits of using recycled plastic in clothing, despite the slightly higher cost.

While the initial cost of using recycled plastic may be higher, the long-term benefits for the environment and the potential for cost reduction in the future make it a worthwhile investment. By choosing to support companies that use recycled plastic, consumers can help drive down the cost of sustainable practices and encourage more companies to prioritise the planet over profits.

Recycling plastic into clothing can reduce non-renewable energy use by 40-85%

The fashion industry has been criticised for producing mountains of cheap clothing, with little regard for sustainability. Fast fashion is often produced offshore for knockdown prices, and the focus is on keeping up with the latest trends rather than considering the environmental impact. Manufacturers and designers were quick to point out the unique properties of synthetic materials, such as being water-repellent, quick-drying, and resilient, but the main motivation for consumers was the lower price. As a result, we have gradually filled our clothing racks and cupboards with plastics, and plastic particles are being rinsed into the ocean, ingested by marine life, and having a disturbing impact on the environment.

While recycling plastic into clothing is a positive step, it is important to be cautious of greenwashing. Some fast fashion brands have been accused of using the term "sustainable" or "conscious" for their recycled polyester lines, when in reality, these clothes are often made in the same unethical factories as their non-recycled counterparts and may not even contain a significant amount of recycled plastic.

The fashion industry has been criticised for producing cheap clothing that ends up in landfill

While manufacturers and designers were quick to point out the unique properties of synthetic materials (water-repellent, quick-drying, resilient), for consumers, the main motivation was price. A sweater made from acrylic wool or a blend of cotton and polyester is much cheaper than the same garment in 100% wool or cotton. And who will notice the difference? Without realising it, we gradually packed our clothing racks and cupboards with plastics.

Recycling plastic into clothing is an excellent way to ensure otherwise wasted resources are being used again. However, it is not that useful if the clothes still end up back in landfill. A life cycle assessment that took place in 2010 found that we could make savings of 40-85% on non-renewable energy from fossil fuels. As a result, this could lead to global warming reductions of as much as 75%.

It costs 10 to 15% more to make clothes with recycled water bottles than to use synthetic fabrics. However, companies are banking on the fact that people will pay more to buy sustainably, and that as more brands incorporate recycled plastic into their designs, it will eventually cost less to turn that plastic into usable thread.

Fast fashion brands have been accused of greenwashing by calling recycled polyester lines 'sustainable'

It costs 10 to 15 per cent more to make clothes with recycled water bottles than to use synthetic fabrics. However, companies are banking on the fact that people will pay more to buy sustainably.

Fast fashion brands have been accused of greenwashing by calling recycled polyester lines sustainable. The fashion industry has been criticised for producing mountains of cheap clothing, often produced offshore for knockdown prices in response to the latest trend. The focus appears to be on keeping up with demand rather than sustainability.

In the UK, authorities have investigated similar claims made by ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda. Recycled polyester has been described as a "central sustainability myth" for the fashion industry.

A lawsuit was filed against H&M in 2024, alleging that the company's sustainability claims were misleading and based on false environmental profiles. The lawsuit also accused the company of greenwashing through its recycling programmes.

Jo Morley, Head of Marketing and Campaigns at City to Sea, said: "If fashion brands are serious about reducing their environmental impact, they should stop the charade of downcycling plastic bottles into clothes and instead focus on cutting their addiction to fossil fuels and curbing overproduction."

Synthetic clothing is cheaper than natural fabrics, which has led to consumers unknowingly buying plastic clothing

Synthetic clothing is often cheaper than natural fabrics, which has led to consumers unknowingly buying plastic clothing. A sweater made from acrylic wool or a blend of cotton and polyester is much cheaper than the same garment in 100% wool or cotton. The fashion industry has been criticised for producing mountains of cheap clothing, often produced offshore for knockdown prices in response to the latest trend. This has led to consumers unknowingly buying plastic clothing, as they are attracted by the low prices and trendy designs.

The main motivation for consumers to buy synthetic clothing is often price. Synthetic materials also have unique properties such as being water-repellent, quick-drying, and resilient. However, the use of synthetic materials has led to an increase in plastic particles in the ocean. Laboratory studies have shown that crabs ingest microfibres that stunt their growth, and fish larvae exposed to high concentrations of plastic particles become smaller, slower, and more susceptible to predators.

While recycling plastic into clothing is a way to ensure that otherwise wasted resources are being used again, fast fashion brands often greenwash their products by calling recycled polyester lines "sustainable" or "conscious". In reality, these plastic bottle clothes are often made in the same way as their non-recycled counterparts: cheaply and in unethical factories. Additionally, many of these clothes may not even contain a significant amount of recycled plastic.

Some companies, such as Everlane, are trying to do the right thing by incorporating recycled plastic into their designs, even though it currently costs 10 to 15 percent more to make clothes with recycled water bottles than to use synthetic fabrics. They are hoping that consumers will be willing to pay more to buy sustainably and that as more brands adopt this practice, it will eventually cost less to turn plastic into usable thread.

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