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Is Polyester Vegan-Friendly?

by Fabian Jackson

3min read

If you’ve been thinking about vegan-friendly materials and you’re wondering whether polyester is one, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out if it’s vegan and whether or not it’s sustainable too.

What is polyester? 

Polyester is a popular synthetic fabric that’s usually derived from petroleum and most often used in clothes from fleeces and jumpers to dresses, trousers and even soft furnishings. It’s a durable and inexpensive material to use which is why it’s the most commonly used fibre in the world.

rainbow polyester fabric

Textiles can be made that are pure polyester, but often blends are formed with organic materials like cotton which are made into clothes or upholstery. 

Is all polyester synthetic? 

Some polyesters are naturally occurring and can be found in cutin, which is a component of plant cuticles.

Is polyester vegan? 

Yes, polyester is generally vegan on its own, however when it’s used in garments that also contain animal-derived products like leather, fur, wool or cashmere then the piece of clothing will no longer be vegan-friendly.

dark polyester

Is polyester environmentally friendly? 

Whilst some polyester is biodegradable, the vast majority is not and, along with its inherent links to the fast fashion industry, it is a range of materials that is heavily polluting. It’s currently complicated to recycle polyester garments as they contain plastic and when they are heated to be recycled the plastic degrades, meaning it can’t be reused indefinitely. 

Even though it does generally require less energy and water to produce synthetic materials than some natural fibres, they stick around on the planet for much longer.

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By Fabian Jackson
Fabian Jackson

Fabian is one of our lovely Content Marketing Assistants who loves writing almost as much as he loves coffee, old episodes of Escape to the Country (no judgement here), and cooking up a storm in his kitchen.

Read more from Fabian


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