The NY Times website publishes 19 of our students' editorials!
Language Arts students in Mrs. White's class responded to Can Polyester Save the World, an article that appeared in the New York Times on January 25, 2007. Not only were they published, but high compliments were paid to their writing style by NYTimes editor, Katherine Schulten, "I also always choose those who sound like they're writing in their own natural voices, and so many of your kids did! This is rare: lots of teachers must give kids templates to fill in so that they all sound the same.."
READ ON!

Polyester Panacea

Related article:
Can Polyester Save the World?

In our day and age so many things are disposable—socks, cameras, diapers, containers, etc. Now, since fashions are changing so frequently, people are buying clothes to wear for maybe just a month, then throwing them out. Since so many of these disposable clothes are being manufactured, their carbon emissions are having an effect on our already-difficult struggle with global warming. I am 100% for making clothes more environmentally friendly. We already have organic food, and we're developing modes of transportation that are better for our environment. If we can do that for food and clothes then why can't it be done for clothing? We need to take care of this Earth.
Grant
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

It never occurred to me that some types of clothing can consume so much energy. It isn't the actual clothes that consume energy, it's the care that the clothes require. I really don't agree that people should share clothes because that may be unhealthy. But doing simple things like turning the washing machine temperature lower will help. I would have never thought so, but now I do!

Meaghan
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I never thought something as harmless and simple as clothes could be destroying the ozone layer in the atmosphere and eventually leading to global warming. Actually, some of my friends are starting to wear clothes that are easily disposed of. I just say:

“Hi, nice shirt!”

“Thanks.”

The next week...

“I haven't seen you wearing that shirt, where is it?”

“In the trash.”

I think this is a total waste of shirts, pants, hats, etc. But more and more people, especially teens around my age, are starting to use clothes that can just be thrown away like broken pens. I 100% agree with the idea that clothes should be leased for a month or two, then returned. If people all over the world could just stop buying or producing these Wear-Then-Tear clothes, I think it could do wonders for the planet we live on.

Austin
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

If you are going to spend four times the money on something non-disposable that will last four times longer than something that is disposable, then you are doing the environment a favor by doing four times less damage to the environment, plus saving yourself three trips to the mall. I think that disposable clothes should even be illegal because we will lose our environment FOUR TIMES FASTER if people nationally continue their shopping habits. My grandchildren might not see a tree in their lives if this keeps up!

John
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I hope that everyone will listen to Elizabeth Rosenthal’s opinion because when I’m an adult I am not looking forward to 106-degree weather in the winter and water shortages. Unless we want ourselves to be practically extinct in the next 150 years we need to either wear products that need to be washed less, like polyester, or that last longer. I mean really, is how fashionable you were when you were a kid going to be important in 150 years when your kids have kids and it’s extremely hot out and the new fashion is bathing suits? I don’t think so!

Nate
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I've been putting my clothes in a dryer all my life and had no idea that I was contributing to global warming. Another fact that surprised me is that polyester can help. As much as I hate the material, I think I might start wearing it. Overall, this article made me quite nervous about global warming.

Matt
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I think that that if fashion stays like it is now then cotton might wind up like blood diamonds in Africa. If everyone tries to save the environment by recycling bottles and things like that, then why wouldn't you also want to recycle clothes or donate them to the Red Cross? People don't wear polyester because it's uncomfortable. They wear cotton because it feels better and it's cheaper and if it rips you just throw it away. But polyester will help save the environment, energy, money, and time.

Daniel
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I just wish that I could be conscious of what I'm wearing. I feel that I should wear more green clothes and help the environment. Polyester never shrinks, nor does it get wrinkled. The down side is that a lot of people don't think that it is very comfortable, but I think that it is just fine.

Connor
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I think Elizabeth Rosenthal made a very good point about clothing. Boys and girls react extremely different about clothing. Boys will say, “What the heck, I will throw on striped pants and a polka-dotted shirt.” They will just throw on anything lying around. Girls, on the other hand, need to match their clothes and they always spend a lot of time dressing. Girls probably have a much bigger wardrobe than most boys do. Boys and girls most likely have different opinions on clothes like the type of fabric and the price. I think if it is comfy and cheap but not a disaster then I would wear it anytime.

Olivia
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I thought this story had a good point: we do dispose of a lot of things. I didn’t know polyester lasted a long time, though I do have a polyester jacket that I’ve had since September of 2004, and it hasn't ripped or had been damaged once. I don't know why we throw out plastic utensils; my mom washes plastic spoons and forks. That's a great way to help save the environment. This story really opened my eyes on how much we waste. So use my mom's idea: save plastic utensils!

John
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I think that the idea for polyester is phenomenal, but there are still some problems that might have been overlooked. For example, since fashion changes every month, sometimes every week, clothes still might be thrown out before their time.

Vivian
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

This story can make the world realize a great bundle of things. We don't always need to buy tons of cheap clothes that won't last long when we can instead buy a nice article of clothing that could last for over a year. Also, if you buy some nice clothes you will look a lot better in them.

Willian
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

Too many people just rush after trends and don't worry or care about the environment. This article made me realize that a lot of clothes waste a lot of energy when you wash and iron them. Too many people these days are overly obsessed with fashion trends and how they look. Hopefully this article will change people's behavior.

Jennifer
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I never really knew what polyester was until I read this article. Polyester is not always in the most fashionable clothing, so I think manufacturers should produce more popular brands made with polyester. If we get people to wear more polyester we can focus on the real issues in the world.

Dana
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

It is very hard to imagine that a society with many individuals who rush after the latest trends and fashions will listen to the Cambridge Report. I support the fact that more people should wear polyester. Polyester is not always the most fashionable clothing to wear, but at least it will make a difference in your environment and your surroundings. In order to save our environment, more people need to wear polyester!

Ariana
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

It is bad enough that there is so much paper, cardboard, and other disposable items. We don't need to be throwing away used clothing because it is out of style or because we are too lazy to go to a local clothing drive. If we keep doing this, it will lead to global warming. There are many people in various parts of the USA who would be lucky to have our old clothing.

Courtney
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I give my little brother my old clothes all the time, and my dad also gives me things that he would never wear but I would. I give clothes to Goodwill and the Salvation Army. But the whole thing about air drying your clothes will definitely start a conflict—a lot of people won’t do it.

Casey
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I was totally oblivious to the fact that clothes can create global-warming. The cheap clothes that you buy at Target and Old Navy can create carbon emissions that contribute to global-warming. Leasing clothes, however, is not something that I find smart. Disease can go around faster because people could be ill and then return the clothes, and then someone else will get the illness.

Evan
Grade 6
February 1, 2007

I am not very thrilled with the idea of leasing clothes and having other people wear them, but until I read this article I didn't know how much clothing affected global warming. I like to get clothes that are in fashion, and my closet is filled with all different kinds. I do feel a little guilty because I have so many, and some people don't have any. I would rather have fewer good clothes then a lot of clothes that are junky and from Target or K-Mart. Polyester is a good idea but it would take a long time to change all the clothes. You will definitely not be able to change them in one day!

Christina
Grade 6
February 1, 2007