There's nothing better than layering up in cozy clothes when those low temperatures hit.
But, since wool, silk, leather, and fur are ethically questionable, vegans aren't left with too many choices.
But, what about fleece? Let's see what the deal is with this fabric!
Quick Summary
- Fleece is vegan because is a man-made insulating fabric, made from recycled plastic.
- Polyethylene terephthalate, polyester is the material used to make Fleece.
- Fleece is used for making mittens, jackets, blankets, hats, and sweatshirts.
- The material Fleece is much lighter and has anti-perspiration properties that allow the fabric to breathe.
What is Fleece & How it’s Made?
Fleece is a man-made insulating fabric made from recycled plastic.
Fleece is made from a type of plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). To put it simply — it’s polyester.
It’s typically used for making jackets, mittens, hats, sweaters, sweatshirts, blankets, etc.
You get the point.
Fleece is an animal-free alternative to wool. And, unlike wool, it's much lighter and has anti-perspiration properties that allow the fabric to breathe.
Moreover, moisture evaporates quickly from fleece, so clothes made from it dry more quickly.
These properties make it a great waterproof fabric for athletic clothing and activewear.
Fleece is a fantastic, ultra-durable insulator, but the manufacturing process is what bugs some people.
Let's break it down so you can understand better.
The process includes chemical reactions, petroleum derivatives (terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol), and high temperature.
The derivatives are heated until they turn into a viscous PET liquid, which then passes through spinnerets — spinning devices responsible for creating synthetic fibers.
The fibers are then left to cool and solidify before they're spun into a yarn, ready to become your new clothes.
These synthetic fibers trap air between each fiber, using your body heat to warm it up and provide you with warmth.
However, these huggable fibers can be mixed with other natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, rayon, and wool.
Cotton fleece and wool fleece are the best-known blends. This creates a different feel to the texture, but it also makes a non-vegan fabric.
What is It Used for?
Fleece is an incredibly versatile synthetic fabric you can find in pretty much anything.
It's used for making ear warmers and hats, sweaters and jackets, but blankets and underwear, as well.
Its surface also holds prints, and this ability to shape it and color it any way you want is what makes it such excellent material.
Brief History
The idea for fleece came from Malden Mills — the original Polartec manufacturer.
Wool and faux fur were the company's previous project, but they wanted to create a cruelty-free synthetic material and not as heavy when wet (unlike wool).
So, they partnered with Patagonia in the other half of the 70s, and after many experiments, created Synchilla — the first fleece.
The material became an instant hit but remained affordable despite its popularity because the Malden Mills owner refused to patent fleece, wanting the material to be accessible to everyone.
Is Fleece Vegan?
Yes, fleece is vegan. As I said, fleece was created to save the animals and, therefore, technically a vegan material.
However, manufacturers often mix vegan fleece with other materials made from non-vegan sources to add to the fabrics' quality and price.
Typically, fleece is blended with cotton — another vegan material, but be careful of wool blends.
Even though sheep may not be killed for their wool, obtaining and manufacturing wool requires brutal practices.
Poor animals are being tortured, wounded during the shearing process, and even sold to slaughterhouses when their wool production declines [1]. Cruelty and hurting animals for fashion is what makes wool a non-vegan fabric.
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Is It Good for the Environment?
Just because something is technically vegan doesn't mean that it's eco-friendly, too.
Environmental vegans (yes, that's a thing) would argue that anything that's considered vegan but harms the environment and the ecosystem isn't technically vegan.
Environmental vegans are looking for sustainable and vegan materials.
By their definition of veganism — even though fleece comes from recycled materials, its manufacturing process is harsh on the environment, making fleece non-vegan.
The process includes the use of unsustainable materials and chemicals that make it durable.
Washing fleece results in sending pieces of these materials to oceans and polluting the water. This pollution further endangers marine life and the food chain [2].
“Based on an estimate of consumers across the world laundering 100,000 Patagonia jackets each year, the amount of fibers being released into public waterways is equivalent to the amount of plastic in up to 11,900 grocery bags.”
— Mary Catherine O’Connor, independent journalist
Since these materials don't decompose naturally, they contribute to non-biodegradable waste, causing pollution and harming animals hence why environmental vegans don't consider fleece vegan.
Is Eco-Fleece a Good Alternative?
No. Eco fleece is made from recycled plastic bottles and is overall more sustainable than regular fleece.
It doesn't include animal-derived materials, but it still doesn't solve the overall problem of microfibers.
Its name may contain the word "eco," but it's not an eco-friendly option.
Plastic fibers and chemicals still end up in the water, and the pollution doesn't stop. So, no — environmental vegans don't consider this a good alternative.
The process includes the use of unsustainable materials and chemicals that make it durable.
Washing fleece results in sending pieces of these materials to oceans and polluting the water. This pollution further endangers the marine life and food chain [2].
“Based on an estimate of consumers across the world laundering 100,000 Patagonia jackets each year, the amount of fibers being released into public waterways is equivalent to the amount of plastic in up to 11,900 grocery bags.”
— Mary Catherine O’Connor, independent journalist
Since these materials don't decompose naturally, they contribute to the non-biodegradable waste, causing pollution and harming animals hence why environmental vegans don't consider fleece vegan.
4 Best Fleece Alternatives
If you care about the environment as much as you care about not harming the living beings, you might want to consider revamping your closet with clothes not made from plastic bottles.
Fabrics that are sustainable, gentle on the environment, and don’t harm the animals include:
1. Organic Cotton
Regular cotton is as filthy and polluting as polyester. But, buying organic cotton helps cotton farmers fight the good cause, earn a living pay, and save the animals and environment.
2. Linen (Flax)
Linen has been manufactured for thousands of years as a sustainable option. Linen made in Europe and Japan is natural and high-quality.
3. Hemp
Hemp uses half the amount of water to produce twice more fiber than cotton. It can grow practically anywhere and is used in food, cosmetics, and clothing.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo is another eco-friendly alternative to fabrics that pollute. However, seek only organically grown bamboo, as bamboo grown in industrial quantities includes fertilizers and deforestation, causing more harm than good.
Is Fleece Vegan? The Final Verdict
The answer is complicated and depends on your definition of veganism.
No animal is directly hurt while producing fleece, but it doesn’t pollute water and disrupts nature, resulting in harming the planet and marine life.
In my opinion, fleece is not vegan. I care too much about the earth to use polyester.
But, what are your thoughts? Share your opinion in the comments!
References:
- https://www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/whats-wrong-wool/
- https://www.patagonia.com/stories/an-update-on-microfiber-pollution/story-31370.html
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