Secret polluters

Efficient, cheap, and flexible – polyester is one of the most popular and most used materials in textile production. This synthetic fiber contains the same constituents as a plastic bottle. Whether it be clothing, cosmetics, or hygiene articles, polyester is available in all kinds of variations and is widely present across many industries.

While the composition of textile-materials is normally indicated on textile labels, for hygiene articles, such as wet wipes or „baby wipes“ there are currently no such labels that show the wet wipe’s fabric composition. Only the lotion and care substances, in which the wet wipes are submerged in, are indicated on the packaging. As a result, many people are unaware that most wipes contain plastic fibers. Year after year, as a result of careless disposal methods, such as being flushed down toilets, wipes products made with synthetic fibers end up harming our environment.

But there is some good news: progress is occurring in the development of ways to produce wipes products in an eco-friendly way! Sustainable and natural alternatives of kemp, cotton or cellulosic fibres are enjoying an upswing in popularity. New processes for the eco-friendly production of fibers are continuously being developed and are beginning to change the wipes industry. Some of these fibers are 100% biodegradable and thus are not only sustainable and resource-friendly, but are also vital elements for a clean future.