Is Nylon Plastic?

Pretty much everything that doesn’t grow on trees has to be some kind of plastic, right? It seems like the world in the 21st century is inundated with the stuff—from medical supplies to kids’ toys and clothing to construction materials.

Not all plastic is created equal, though. Some plastics are single-used and only meant to hold sugary beverages. Other kinds are so durable we trust them to help transport humans beyond the stratosphere and into outer space. 

You might be wondering where nylon, a substance you find in many clothing garments, fits into the plastic world. Is nylon plastic in the first place? We’ll answer that and more below!

What is Nylon?

Nylon is a synthetic polymer. Quick science lesson: polymers are made up of monomers (type of molecule) that are prone to bonding to other monomers. 

Nylon has two primary ingredients: diamine, which comes from crude oil, and adipic acid. Like many widely used synthetic materials, nylon was created in the early 1900s by a chemist working for DuPont. 

Wallace Carothers, who’s credited with inventing nylon, was trying to find an inexpensive substitute for silk that could also be easily reproduced. He eventually came up with nylon in 1935—right in time for World War II. 

One of the first major uses of nylon was for parachutes in the war efforts. After World War II ended, nylon became a popular material for stockings and toothbrush bristles. Today, you can find nylon in a whole lot of places. Common household items that contain nylon include raincoats, activewear, lingerie, rope, and guitar strings. Nylon is prized for its strength and elasticity.

Is Nylon Considered Plastic?

So, is nylon plastic? Nylon is considered to be a type of plastic, yes. Because nylon consists of synthetic polymers derived from crude oil, it fits the widely accepted definition of plastic. Nylon is a type of polyamide.

Is nylon toxic?

The finished product of nylon, which you often see in various garments, is not considered toxic. Some people get allergic reactions when their skin touches nylon, but that is extremely rare.

As with many polymers, the primary threat of toxicity with nylon lies in the production process. It’s impossible to make nylon without first extracting and transporting large amounts of petroleum, a major fossil fuel. Making adipic acid, one of the two main ingredients of nylon, releases nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Being physically close to nylon production without proper equipment exposes you to a number of toxic fumes and materials.

How is Nylon Made?

To get (C12H22N2O2)n, which is the chemical formula of nylon 6/6 (the most common type of nylon), you need to get diamine acid from petroleum. Manufacturers then combine diamine acid (chemically known as hexamethylene diamine) with adipic acid in the polymerization step. 

When first polymerized, nylon is something of a salt. Makers must dry out the nylon salt before it can be used for practical purposes. From the extraction of crude oil to drying out the salt-like material, a lot of energy is used to create nylon. Injection molding allows liquid nylon to form into whichever shape occupies the interior of the mold. 

The production process creates nitrous oxide and involves the leaching of microplastics into the atmosphere—both of which are not kind to our planet.

Is nylon sustainable?

Ultimately, nylon is not a sustainable material. It requires the use of petroleum in its production; petroleum is not a renewable resource and requires a great amount of water and energy to extract from the earth.

While nylon toxicity is not typically an issue for consumers, trying to recycle nylon can be. Nylon is harder to recycle than many other plastics. Even if you live near a facility that recycles nylon, certain dyes and post-production additives can prevent nylon products from actually being recyclable. 

Practical Tips for Sustainable Nylon Use

We admit—so far, we’ve painted a pretty grim picture of nylon and its sustainability (or lack thereof). That doesn’t mean your nylon clothes are doomed to sit around in a landfill when you’re done with them. It also doesn’t mean that plenty of companies are exploring ways to produce nylon in more ethical and sustainable ways. 

Keep reading to find out ways YOU can reduce the carbon footprint of nylon and nylon products!

Choose recycled nylon.

Innovative, green companies like ECONYL have found ways to regenerate discarded nylon products and give them new lives. The company’s unique outputs have led to partnerships with retailers like Patagonia. More than 99 percent of the nylon in Patagonia’s Fall 2024 line (by weight) is recycled nylon.

Repair or reuse your nylon items.

You have a lot of power to extend the life of your nylon products. Exercising great care when using nylon clothing—taking care not to create rips, for example—is a great first step. If rips do happen, there are plenty of ways to patch up your nylon products. 

The sky’s the limit when it comes to reusing nylon items. Many people use old nylon pantyhose for plants’ structural supports. You can also use nylon containers to hold bars of soap or materials that improve the scent profile of your home (such as potpourri and lavender). 

Use sustainable alternatives when possible.

Certain manufacturers have begun exploring sustainable ways to make nylon-like materials. One such material is bio-nylon, which is made from fermented plant sugars. If you can’t find products made of bio-nylon, you might want to opt for products made from similar materials, like bamboo, lyocell, or organic cotton.

Our Take on Nylon

There are plenty of reasons why nylon is one of the world’s most-used plastic fibers. It’s stretchy, able to withstand a fair amount of heat, relatively comfortable, and less expensive than silk products.

While we are encouraged by innovations to make sustainable nylon, it’s simply hard to ignore the negative environmental impacts of nylon. Whenever possible, we ourselves use lower-impact materials in lieu of nylon clothes. If you absolutely need the properties of nylon for a specific project, it might be worth exploring recyclable options.

It’s worth repeating that being a mindful consumer is not about being perfect. We understand the reality of financial limitations. However, if nothing else, we hope this article about nylon has widened your perspective as a consumer. Thanks for reading!

Featured image via Canva