The textile industry has an unsustainable environmental footprint (Fig. 1). It is a highly resource-intensive and waste-generating sector, contributing—depending on the source—between 3% and 10% of global CO2 emissions [United Nations sustainable development goals (2019)], or 1.2 billion tons of CO2 annually. This is more than the combined emissions from all international flights and maritime shipping.

Despite ongoing discussions about environmental sustainability, synthetic polyester fibers have seen the most significant growth in recent decades. However, these fibers have poor biodegradability, with some estimates suggesting they take up to 50 years to break down in nature, compared to natural, renewable fibers like cotton, which degrades within months.

There is growing awareness of the presence of microplastics in the environment, with textiles made from synthetic fibers like polyester recognized as a significant source. The wearing and washing of these textiles release microplastics into the environment.

The shift towards polyester, coupled with the rise of fast fashion over the last 20 years, has further exacerbated the industry’s environmental impact.