Is one better than the other?

Most people today know that is some way, shape, or form the production on clothing is hurting our environment, but the better question is in which way do we hurt our environment less.  Obviously, everyone needs clothes to wear on a daily basis and some people like to have an excess amount of clothes.  Going without clothing is obviously not an option.  So the next step is to figure out if natural fibers or synthetic fibers are better for our environment.  However, I am not sure that there is a right or wrong answer to this question.  I can see how my coworker, Sally, feels that natural fibers are much better for our environment, but at the same time I think she needs to be a little more open minded and research this topic a little more.

For example, in the reading Materials Diversity it compares natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Both kinds of fibers have positives and negatives.  Cotton, for example, uses tons of our water.  Water used for cotton varies from 29,000 liters per kg of cotton in Sudan to 7,000 liters per kg in Israel. Even though Israel uses much less, 7,000 liters per kg is still a very large amount of water.  In some areas lakes have gone dry and oceans have decreases in size because of the amount of water used to water cotton crops.  Large amounts of synthetic fertilizers are also added to cotton crops and can result in nitrate contamination in water. Pesticides are also used on cotton crops which eventually ends up in our water. Another natural fiber that you do not think would harm the environment because it comes from an animal is wool.  However, wool actually does harm our environment in some ways.  Pesticides are also used on the sheep and if they are not taken care of properly these pesticides can work there way into our water as well.

However, there are also down sides to synthetic fibers. For example, although it takes much less water to produce polyester than it does to produce cotton, it takes much more energy to produce polyester than it does to produce cotton. If the discharge from making polyester is untreated it can cause harmful chemicals to be released into the air. Acrylic is even worse for the environment that polyester.  To produce acrylic you need more water and more energy than you do to produce polyester. Acrylic can also put off harmful chemicals if left untreated.  However, if these synthetic fibers are treated they should not let off harmful chemicals.

As you can see there really is no right or wrong answer.  In my opinion it depend on what specific item you are purchasing.  For example if it is something that needs to last you a long time and will get lots of wear and tear, then you might want something made out of a synthetic so it will last longer. On the other hand if it is something that will not last you as long maybe you should take Sally's view point and go with the item made out of natural fibers so it will decompose faster and be healthier for the environment in the long run.  I have again come to the conclusion in my blog that our costumers need to be more informed so they know exactly what they are buying and exactly how making it affected the environment and how it will affect the environment after you are finished using it.