MASSACHUSETTS - Researchers have produced a new textile from polyethylene (PE) which they say could make the fashion industry more sustainable and reduce the world’s plastic waste mountain.
Scientists involved in the project say the easily-recyclable fabric offers superior cooling properties to cotton or linen, while being more stain resistant than polyester.
Their study, published in the peer-reviewed Nature Sustainability journal, says PE - commonly used in plastic bags - has been overlooked by the textile industry in favour of natural fibres, such as cotton and wool, and other synthetics, such as polyester and nylon.
