Reducing microplastic pollution by Beti's DyeCare nature yarns
More than 60% of textiles produced now are constructed with synthetic fibers, which offer various benefits including durability, versatility, reduced water usage in manufacturing, minimal soil degradation, automated production, and potential for effective recycling. However, a significant amount of textiles are still produced in a manner that is not environmentally sustainable, which results in the generation of toxic microplastic pollution.
Where does microplastic come from?
Research discovered that plastic is a long-lasting material, taking hundreds of years to break down completely. Consequently, when plastic is disposed of in the environment, it eventually turns into microplastic, which are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size. This means that even when plastic degrades, it still remains in the form of microplastic.
What is the scope of microplastic pollution of the oceans?
The European Environmental Agency reports that more than 14 million pieces of microplastic have built up on the seabed, with the quantity growing annually. Further, synthetic fibers, mainly from textiles, account for 8% of microplastic pollution in European oceans, and globally the estimate is 16-35%.
How does it happen?
Synthetic microfibers are released from our clothing when we wear and wash them and eventually they end up in the oceans. Most of these microplastics are released during the first several washes of clothing, meaning that fast fashion and low-quality clothing are major contributors to the high levels of microfiber pollution in the oceans.
How does Beti’s DyeCare Nature yarn reduce microplastic pollution?
BETI DyeCare synthetic fibers mimic natural fibers when they become pollutants in the environment by incorporating biodegradable spots into the plastic matrix. These spots act as nutrients for microbes in the environment, promoting natural biodegradation at a similar pace to natural fibers like wool.
The benefits of this yarn include:
- Non-toxic to marine life
- Easy to use in current manufacturing processes
- Maintaining fiber integrity and performance
- Activation in conditions suitable for biodegradation
- Traceable fibers and yarns
Overall result of DyeCare Nature is the rapid breakdown of microfibers in seawater and even quicker breakdown in landfills.
(According to standards ASTM D6691 – Seawater, ASTM D5511 – Landfill).
What types of DyeCare Nature yarns that reduce microplastic are available?
In Beti, we provide dyed high-elastic polyester yarn that is suitable for a wide range of textile products such as socks, elastic ribbons, and underlining. This yarn mimics natural fibers when disposed of in the environment. Moreover, it is a long-lasting continuous fiber that is dyed using advanced DyeCare technology.
What do you mean by recycled polyester?
The recycled polyester available in BETI is completely made from post-consumer waste, specifically PET bottles.
What are other advantages of DyeCare Nature yarns? Why are they called DyeCare?
The concept behind DyeCare (dyeing with care) is to dye textiles thoughtfully and responsibly. By using DyeCare, we have effectively reduced water usage by 51%, power usage by 21%, and natural gas usage by 34%.
So what can we do on our own to reduce and prevent microplastic pollution of the ocean?
- For instance, select durable clothing that has a longer lifespan
- Filament polyamide and polyester yarns are the most long-lasting materials in textiles
- Install a Planet Care filter on your washing machine
- Look for DyeCare Nature yarns, which utilize technology inspired by nature that allows for quick breakdown of microfibers in sea water and even faster breakdown in landfills