(BPT) - Down fill material has been around for hundreds of years, providing us warmth and comfort. It is the gold standard for premium insulation among many outdoor enthusiasts and outerwear shoppers.
Now, there's more reason than ever for down to hold this top position. According to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), down material is up to 97% more eco-friendly than polyester fill. Three new videos released by the International Down and Feather Bureau (IDFB) based on the LCA, highlight the key elements of down's environmental superiority.
Understanding the life cycle of a product
To understand the vast differences of environmental impact between polyester fill and down, it's necessary to look at the origins of each material.
Long Trail Sustainability, an independent third-party firm specializing in LCAs and sustainability reports, was commissioned by IDFB to conduct this research to systematically study the potential environmental impacts of both products. They assessed the raw materials and manufacturing processes required by each, and the results were unequivocal - down fill material has an 85%-97% lower impact on the environment across five categories: human health, ecosystems, resources, cumulative energy demand and climate change.
Why is down environmentally superior?
Down is a natural byproduct from the food and agriculture industry. Polyester fill, on the other hand, starts with the extraction of crude oil, proceeds to refinement, then polymerization and finally extrusion. This involved process means polyester burns through far more energy and resources during its production, leading to a climate change impact that's 18 times higher than down.
Then there's biodegradability to consider. Polyester, as an oil-based plastic, simply doesn't break down like natural fibers. It remains in landfills for decades or even centuries, frequently leeching harmful substances into the groundwater. As a result, polyester leaves an immeasurable scar on the planet. Meanwhile, down is about as biodegradable as a material gets. It can decompose in just a few months under the right composting conditions. Better still, because down is composed entirely of the protein keratin, it doesn't release harmful byproducts during the decomposition process.
Down feels good, is good
Let's take a down jacket, for example. Its warmth, lightness and compressibility have made it a tried-and-true companion for cold-weather adventurers for generations. It's kept countless outdoor enthusiasts safe and warm while they explore the most amazing sights this world has to offer.
With the newly released videos and additional resources that can be found here, down's eco-friendly qualities are taking center stage along with the comfort, durability and warmth which remain among the top reasons consumers choose down products.
Now, in a stroke of poetic symmetry, down's relationship with people and the environment is coming full circle. By choosing down over polyester, consumers can feel good knowing that what is keeping them warm is also helping to sustain the natural beauty of this world for generations to come. That's a whole new level of comfort to get wrapped up in.
