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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that recycling is not always a good idea?

37 replies

TheAverageJoanne · 04/12/2023 08:04

I'm thinking here only of one aspect and that's the range of items in Marks and Spencer, and some other outlets, where "this is made from recycled polyester/bottles" or whatever, I'd not buy polyester items in the first place so definitely not recycled ones. Things feel flimsy and cheap. Some of the jumpers feel really rag tag market and I know someone who spent £70 on a dress from Sainsbury's Tu Vogue Williams range and it looks like it came from Shein

OP posts:
TheDandyLion · 04/12/2023 08:10

So you mean using recycled plastics is not a good idea to use for clothing not that recycling in general isn't a good idea. What do you think about recycled wool, cotton, leather or other natural materials for clothing?

Original poster
TheAverageJoanne · 04/12/2023 08:44

I mean I don't like manufacturers making cheap looking items out of plastic bottles etc. I recycle everything and I buy second hand. But not things that look like tat.

Other materials you mentioned yes no problems.

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 04/12/2023 08:46

Some people want to buy clothes made from plastic- fleeces, polyester. It’s better that those are from recycled plastic than fresh plastic.

Ideally we’d stop making virgin plastics, but it’s a waste product from the petrochemical industry so it will take a while.

I look back nostalgically at the days when we wanted to use less paper and save a tree.

MassageForLife · 04/12/2023 08:51

If someone you know bought the dress, then that demonstrates that people like it.

Just because you don't, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

RedToothBrush · 04/12/2023 08:56

TheAverageJoanne · 04/12/2023 08:44

I mean I don't like manufacturers making cheap looking items out of plastic bottles etc. I recycle everything and I buy second hand. But not things that look like tat.

Other materials you mentioned yes no problems.

Edited

So you don't think there should be recycled stuff that doesn't match your taste?

Ok then...

BettyBakesCakes · 04/12/2023 09:11

I avoid polyester the first time around never mind recycled but my dd loves it as it's so soft.

RaininSummer · 04/12/2023 09:13

I can't stand polyester so wouldn't buy but fleeces etc are very popular so making them out of recycled materials seems a great plan.

Original poster
TheAverageJoanne · 04/12/2023 09:18

MassageForLife · 04/12/2023 08:51

If someone you know bought the dress, then that demonstrates that people like it.

Just because you don't, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

She actually hates it!

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 04/12/2023 09:20

Don't like it, don't buy it! But don't remove the choice from other people.

spellingwasp · 04/12/2023 09:21

Do you mean these garments don't have longevity and are therefore useless in terms of saving the planet?

CrapBucket · 04/12/2023 09:22

I vaguely remember reading about microplastics entering the water supply due to us washing our plasticy fleeces/other clothing. I tend to avoid any sort of man made fabric in general if I have the option.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 04/12/2023 09:22

Not all man made fibres are created equally , in some cases man made is helpful to get a desired look/fit/drape in an item

The resources used to make cotton items and some wages of denim are incredible, especially water use.

Man made isn't always bad just like natural isn't always good. Same with skin care

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 04/12/2023 09:23

Washed rather Grin

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 04/12/2023 09:24

Jesus, I can't type today

WASHES

StillWantingADog · 04/12/2023 09:24

Well we’re not going to save the world by recycling everything. We just need to buy less stuff in the first place.

a lot of recycling is almost greenwashing- it takes an awful lot of energy to recycle. And a large proportion of what we think gets recycled ends up in piles somewhere in Asia.

I do have some clothings items made from recycled material however and i’m really happy with them

LickleLamb · 04/12/2023 09:25

M&S are the worst culprits for putting food, fruit and veg in single use plastic containers - I would buy more stuff if they didn’t.
We really shouldn’t be using plastic in the first place - bottles maybe but containers could be card/waxed card or loose.

theduchessofspork · 04/12/2023 09:25

If they are poor quality then it’s just greenwashing fast fashion so you’re right - I’m guessing it’s a bit better than making from scratch, but if the clothes are going to get dumped in 5 minutes then not much.

Generally the fast fashion industry needs to be killed off, and only legislation will do that.

Recycling polyester for durable stuff is a good thing I’d imagine.

EvilRingahBitch · 04/12/2023 09:26

I don't think recycled polyester is necessarily worse quality than virgin polyester.

It's a bit green-washed though. Plastic bottles can be recycled into other plastic bottles etc more or less indefinitely but once they've been turned into fabric then that's a dead end. If it's an item that's going to get used a lot then fair enough, we all have to wear clothes, but if it's going to be worn twice then discarded it's a problem.

Frabbits · 04/12/2023 09:26

I am so with you. I don't like peanut butter and I find it deeply offensive that peanut butter kit kats exist.

theduchessofspork · 04/12/2023 09:27

KrisAkabusi · 04/12/2023 09:20

Don't like it, don't buy it! But don't remove the choice from other people.

Well, we need to drastically change our clothes buying habits, so some choice is going to have to be removed from us all.

MassageForLife · 04/12/2023 09:29

TheAverageJoanne · 04/12/2023 09:18

She actually hates it!

Show quote history

And yet she paid £70 for it?

That seems like an odd decision.

Nochocolateuntilchristmas · 04/12/2023 09:31

I'm more likely to buy recycled polyester items over polyester items made brand new.
Recycling isn't perfect, but it's better than not recycling at all. Ideally we wouldn't make any new plastic but that isn't going to happen.

AuntieStella · 04/12/2023 09:41

Just because you think something looks tatty doesn't mean everyone will.

I'm like you, in that I never wear polyester (except rarely in certain type of tech sports kit) but other people do, and it's better that we reduce the amount of single use material.

Also, I find that single use polyester clothes can look OK or can look hideous/tatty/skimpy/flimsy. Same will be true of part-recycled fabrics.

AuntieStella · 04/12/2023 09:44

EvilRingahBitch · 04/12/2023 09:26

I don't think recycled polyester is necessarily worse quality than virgin polyester.

It's a bit green-washed though. Plastic bottles can be recycled into other plastic bottles etc more or less indefinitely but once they've been turned into fabric then that's a dead end. If it's an item that's going to get used a lot then fair enough, we all have to wear clothes, but if it's going to be worn twice then discarded it's a problem.

Somewhat tangential, but might interest people on this thread enough to put on to their Christmas list, can I recommend this book?

It's mainly about running, but if you don't find that off-putting, there are good chapters on clothes (and greenwashing thereof), trainers, travel and food

We Can't Run Away From This: Racing... by Damian Hall (amazon.co.uk)

Seeline · 04/12/2023 09:46

I and many of my family members cannot wear wool - causes an allergic rash. Even if worn over non-wool layers. This includes cashmere etc.
Cotton is fine in the summer (although takes an age to dry), but for warmth, man-made fibres are our only real option. I would rather buy a recycled version.