The Material Series | Polyester Rediscovered

Some 80 years ago, one of the world’s most widely used modern materials was invented in a laboratory. You guessed it: polyester.

You might have thought of cotton, but cotton has been used since ancient times and was not a laboratory invention…. But if you want to learn more about cotton, we’ll talk about it and many other fibers in The Material Series, and you’ll be surprised to enter a world almost as fascinating as that of sneakers: that of the materials that make them up.

Polyester: the ubiquitous material

As previously stated, polyester is the most widely used fiber in the world, as well as the fiber that has sparked the most business disputes. It was invented in the 1940s and has since sparked debate and controversy in the fashion industry and beyond.

It was invented by British scientists Whinfield and Dickson (not a DJ set) and, immediately, beef was created among several brands, with alliances and Game of Thrones-style strategies, which led to the production of polyester under various names: Tergal, Terylene, Terlenka, Trevira, Dacron….

But let’s start at the beginning: polyester is a class of synthetic polymer that is produced from petrochemicals, which are substances made from petroleum or natural gas. Obviously, there are many possible variants of polyester, the best known and most used in fashion is the thermoplastic called PET. Exactly, the plastic of the bottles.

Polyester emerged as First of Its Class because of its versatility and its ability to blend with other fibers. Additionally, it has a high degree of durability, strength, and efficiency in maintaining shape and color. Thus, it quickly evolved into a material that is utilized in a variety of products, including home good, clothing and footwear.

Where can we find polyester in sneakers?

When it comes to sneakers, polyester is used in various parts of the shoe, such as certain areas of the sole, uppers and inner linings and even laces. It is somewhat waterproof and allows your feet to ride comfortably due to the material’s lightness and flexibility, which is essential to the performance of the shoes and clearly helps your endurance. 

Polyester is a washable material that keeps your sneakers clean and looking good for longer. 

However, conventional polyester has a significant environmental impact because it is made from fossil resources that must be extracted from the earth, and it degrades slowly in the environment.

What exactly is the problem with polyester and the environment?

Polyester has drawbacks because it is a petroleum-based fiber with a higher environmental impact than other types of fiber. But we are also contaminating everything with plastic and microplastics, including clothing, drinks, and food packaging.
It is crucial that we pause to consider the effects that so much plastic is having on the environment, that we learn to care for our environment, and that we clean up our forests, mountains, and beaches.

The first step is to understand the materials, which is why we want you to have all the information with The Material Series, so you can select a garment or sneakers that will last…

While not a miracle cure, recycled polyester can help in this situation.

Reusing what is used: rPET or recycled polyester

As we said, recycled polyester, or rPET, is an alternative to virgin polyester. It is produced by recycling bottles, recyclable goods, or polyester yarn in general. As a result, less natural resources must be used, and plastic waste is kept from building up in landfills and oceans.

In order to create recycled polyester, waste polyester is converted into plastic pellets (chips), which are heated and stretched into new fibers that can be dyed and blended.

You’ve undoubtedly already worn t-shirts from companies that manufacture their clothing using plastic bottles. Well, here’s a fact: Nike, with its “Considered” line, was one of the first companies to use recycled polyester in the production of sneakers. Since then, other companies have also followed suit and used recycled polyester in their products.

Do your research because purchasing sneakers made of recycled polyester helps to meet the demand for eco-friendly materials and motivates companies to keep using them. But keep in mind that the main focus is on reducing waste production and clearing landfills of nearly useless goods. As a result, it’s critical to prioritize sneaker material quality while also protecting the environment.

We at FOOTDISTRICT don’t want to stay on the surface because we know that by collaborating in the collection of plastic and waste, we can reduce the negative impact on the environment. Participating in community cleanup initiatives, supporting recycling projects and promoting awareness of the importance of proper waste management are concrete actions we can already take. And that’s why Terra Project, in partnership with Nike ACG and Ocean52, is here for another year. 

Terra Project

The Terra Project is an initiative that supports the preservation of our planet’s natural resources and its protection NOW, rather than just for future generations. We achieve this through encounters that aim to revitalize our bond with the outdoors. No wifi. Without filters. And we want you to be part of them.