At Ballet Trauma Club, our mission extends beyond creating designs that resonate with dancers and ballet enthusiasts—we’re committed to ensuring that the products we offer align with our values of quality, ethics, and environmental responsibility. A key part of this commitment involves carefully selecting the brands we use to print our original designs. Today, we’re diving into why this choice matters and how we balance the pros and cons of polyester, a common fabric in the fashion industry.
The Pros of Polyester: Durability and Versatility
Before we address the environmental concerns, it’s important to acknowledge the benefits that have made polyester such a popular material in the fashion industry.
1. Durability: Polyester is known for its strength and durability. Unlike natural fibers, it doesn’t easily wear out, shrink, or wrinkle. This makes polyester garments long-lasting and able to withstand frequent wear and washing—ideal for active lifestyles, including the rigorous demands of dance.
2. Versatility: Polyester is highly versatile, able to be woven into various textures and finishes. It can mimic the appearance of natural fabrics like silk or cotton while providing additional properties like moisture-wicking and quick-drying, which are particularly beneficial for athletic wear and performance clothing.
3. Affordability: Polyester is generally more affordable than natural fibers, making it accessible for brands and consumers alike. This affordability allows for a broader range of products, catering to different needs and preferences.
The Environmental Impact of Polyester: A Critical Concern
Despite its advantages, polyester comes with significant environmental drawbacks that cannot be overlooked.
1. Non-Renewable Resource: Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. The extraction and processing of petroleum for polyester production are energy-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
2. Microplastic Pollution: One of the most pressing environmental issues with polyester is the release of microplastics. Each time a polyester garment is washed, tiny plastic fibers shed and enter our waterways, eventually making their way into oceans. These microplastics pose a serious threat to marine life and have been found in the food chain, potentially affecting human health.
3. Non-Biodegradability: Unlike natural fibers, polyester does not biodegrade. This means that every polyester garment ever made still exists in some form today, contributing to long-term waste accumulation in landfills.
Our Approach: Choosing Brands with Environmental Responsibility
Given the environmental concerns associated with polyester, Ballet Trauma Club is committed to making informed and responsible choices when selecting brands for our designs. We prioritize working with apparel partners who share our commitment to sustainability and ethical production practices.
Natural Fibers and Sustainability: Whenever possible, we choose garments made from natural fibers such as cotton, which is renewable and biodegradable. Our commitment to sustainability is further reinforced by partnering with members of the US Cotton Trust Protocol, ensuring that the cotton used in our products is grown and harvested under strict environmental standards.
Balancing Durability and Impact: While we recognize the durability and versatility of polyester, we carefully consider the environmental trade-offs. For products where polyester is necessary for performance or durability, we ensure that the garment is produced by brands with a strong commitment to minimizing environmental harm. This includes using recycled polyester, which reduces the demand for virgin plastic and helps mitigate some of the environmental impacts.
Designed and Shipped from the USA: A Commitment to Quality and Community
All Ballet Trauma Club apparel is designed and shipped from the United States of America. We believe in supporting local businesses and ensuring that our production processes are closely monitored to maintain the highest standards. Each blank apparel item is chosen intentionally to reflect our commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and affordability.
Affordability is a key consideration in our selection process. We strive to offer products that are accessible to a broad community of dancers and ballet enthusiasts, ensuring that our brand appeals to a wide range of people rather than a specific tier. By balancing sustainability with affordability, we make it possible for more people to experience and connect with our designs.
Why It Matters to Us—and to You
As a member of the Ballet Trauma Club community, you care about the impact your purchases have on the world. By choosing brands that prioritize sustainability, ethical production, and affordability, we’re able to offer you high-quality products that you can feel good about wearing. Our designs aren’t just about expressing your love for ballet—they’re about making a statement for a better, more responsible fashion industry.
The Future of Ballet Trauma Club
As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to improving our practices and exploring new ways to reduce our environmental impact. We’re always on the lookout for innovative materials, ethical suppliers, and sustainable practices that align with our values. We believe that together, we can make a difference in the fashion industry and in the world.
Thank you for supporting Ballet Trauma Club and for joining us on this journey toward a more sustainable future. Every purchase you make helps us support our mission of creating a positive impact—both in the ballet community and beyond.
