Hi there and welcome. On this article I would like to talk about on the subject that people are always trying to improve on. And that is trying to do things that are as natural as possible. Like for instant the food we eat, the clothing we were, the items we have and other things that are part of our environment. Some of the things that we tried to avoid are like artificial flavor, artificial coloring, synthetic, imitation and so on. You got the idea. And basically, there's nothing wrong with that. But like everything that we do. Sometime they are those who go to the extreme. You might call them radical. I myself try to live as natural as possible, and always thinking how I might affect the environment. But thank goodness for some good common sense and a good foundation while growing up. Lucky for me I do not fall into the extreme category. I believe everything in life has to be done in a balanced and moderate.
Sometime people are trying so hard to live as natural as possible. That they almost put themselves in a position that they live like caveman. We are living in a 21st-century. And we have advanced so much not only in technology, but a new product that make our life more natural, but also help the environment. But those who live on the extreme have the mentality that anything that is man-made or manufactured is consider not natural. So they've reject it without 1st seeing a bigger picture. Some things that are man-made product does benefit not only our life, but the environment.
This is where it come to the point of this article. On this subject, I will talk about in regarding to our clothing. Those who like to live 100% natural always consider that wearing clothing that are 100% cotton is better and natural. But that is not completely true, and this is why. On the top you will see that I put a collection of photo. I will give you some idea on how we begin to grow cotton and go to many process before it reached to your local store. You will see how much energy we waste and how much chemical is exposed to the environment. You will see that is not completely 100% natural.
Let us begin on the top on photograph (1). 1st we need a tractor that runs on gasoline to begin the farming of preparing the ground and planting the seed. Now in photograph (2) , you will see that the plant are growing with the help of watering irrigation. And this require whether an electric or gas pump. This will be a process of many months for the plant to be fully grown. Now in the photograph (3) you we see a man spraying pesticides to protect the plant from insect and disease. This will be a process, whether by manually spraying or a truck or airplane spraying the field. Although pesticides protect the health of the plant from insect and disease. It does have some negative affect for the environment. Next we see on photograph (4) a farming tractor, run by gasoline harvesting the cotton. Next photograph (5) the cotton is place another truck run by gasoline, to transport the cotton to a cotton factory for processing. Although I do not put a photograph of the cotton factory. The process for the cotton go through, a machine that will separate the cotton from unwanted waste like leaves and twigs. Then the cotton is taken to a big washing machine in which they were add bleach to give the cotton that white look, we all know. All of this process go to machinery that runs on electricity. Now in photograph (6) you will see the final result after processing. A machine will collect the cotton and weave the cotton so the cotton fiber will be stretched in one direction and turn into yarn like. These are placed in large barrel to be shipped on another truck run by gasoline. It is shipped to another factory in which they will make thread to customer specification. Now in photograph (7) this is the final result after the factory that run their machinery by electricity, making thread and putting them into spool. Now the spool are shipped on truck run by gasoline to another factory that makes fabric. Now in photograph number (8) the fabric is delivered by truck run on gasoline, to a factory that makes white T-shirt. This factory use sewing machine that runs on electricity. Final on the photograph (9) the white T-shirt are delivered by truck the runs on gasoline, to retail stores across the country.
Of course, this is some idea of the process. I probably left some details out depending on different manufacture processing. But you get some ideas. But based on the information I gave you, you would notice that a great deal of energy use to make this simple white T-shirt was gasoline. There was a lot of gasoline wasted just so we can have this white T-shirt. There was also a lot of electricity used to make this T-shirt. Also another waste of energy used to make this product. Also, you would notice a lot of chemical use in the process. By pesticides and bleach. These 2 will be exposed to the environment.Remember those who like to live 100% natural preferred to where 100% cotton.
By now, let's take a look at the new man-made product called polyester. Although this product require 2 different kind of chemical that are dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol. Both unknown to be a form of polymer, the kind of plastic. Although both may be toxics, but once they are mixed together and stabilize they will become a thin thread to make polyester fabric. Below I added some link so you can see more detail on the product polyester.
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Polyester.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyester
http://www.engr.utk.edu/mse/Textiles/Polyester%20fiber.htm
Even though polyester may not be all national. At the end result. It is far more better than 100% cotton. Let me explain, 1st of all, based on the photograph above, it will eliminate the process (1) through (6). By eliminating those process. We save tons in gasoline and prevent exposing the environment of pesticides and beach. Because if you see the link above, you would notice that to make polyester it goes from mixing the 2 chemical and then turning them into thread. Another benefit to polyester versus cotton is in the process, when washing your clothing. Your body release national sweat and body order. The cotton absorbed this more into the fiber then it would be of a polyester fiber. Meaning it would require more detergent to wash your cotton clothing, then it would be polyester clothing. Plus the cotton require longer time in a dryer wasting more energy, then that of polyester that require less time drying. So far the 100% cotton clothing would require more chemical detergent to clean and more energy wasted to dry. This is not counting the many hundreds of product made by polyester. Like flag, men's tie, ropes, woman purse, man wallet, scarf, belt, sporting shoes, pants, hats, construction material, car seat, safety belt for the car and many many more items. It can even replace all kinds of leather product.
So if you're willing to understand and recognize that polyester is far more superior in energy-saving and far less environmental impact, then that of 100% cotton. So then a man-made product will be far more better than a 100% natural product. Like I said before use common sense and balance. And you can live environmental friendly and not necessarily live 100% natural lifestyle.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Don't forget to take a look at the important note to your right before leaving any comment.
Bless you all and be well.
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