Polyester is the most extensively used fiber globally, constituting approximately 54% of global fiber production in 2022.[1] Water consumption in polyester fiber production is relatively low (using steam and cooling water) but significantly impacts water quality. One study found the water footprint of polyester fibers to vary between 50,690 - 71,409 liters per kilogram of fiber, depending on the production and desired outcome (filament or staple fiber).[2] With polyester being an oil-based fiber, over 99% of its water footprint stems from water pollution linked to oil exploration.[3] Oil extraction brings up "produced water", which contains various pollutants. Treating or diluting this water with large freshwater quantities is necessary to ensure environmental safety, with common practices including injection back into the ground, treatment for reuse, or allowing evaporation.[4] Additionally, during a garment’s use phase, microplastic pollution from washing synthetic materials is a concern, with studies indicating that synthetic textiles are responsible for 8% to 35% of the overall microplastics discharged into water bodies.[5] [6]