Plastic Fashion — a.k.a. How to Look Good In A Plastic Bag
Did you know that textiles account for 34.8% of the world’s micro-plastic pollution? Around half a million tonnes of plastic fibres end up in our oceans annually (Ellen McArthur Foundation) and this is all down to the kinds of clothes we wear and how we clean them. More and more garments are made using synthetic fibres which release plastic fibres into our water systems. (It must be noted, however, that not all synthetic materials are created equal: some are more detrimental than others - article on this is coming soon. Additionally, research from the University of Nottingham has ‘raised the question of whether we know enough about the environmental threat of some of the plastic alternatives - find the full story here)
But, how do these plastic fibres get from our clothes to the oceans?
When we wash our clothes, they shed fibres - regardless of the material. These fibres are so small that they pass through filters in washing machines and join our local water systems. The general consensus is that natural fibres will happily decompose, posing much less of a threat to water life than synthetic fibres.
So, how do synthetic and plastic fibres threaten water life as well as humans?
🔥 WE EAT THE PLASTIC: synthetic fibres are consumed by plankton and commercial fish, which are later consumed by fish-eating humans (@Plastic Oceans).
🔥 HARMFUL CHEMICALS: These plastics consumed by humans and other animals contain chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors and are thus linked to health issues like cancer and birth defects. In short, textile plastics aren’t good for people or the planet.
So, are you wanting to tackle fashion’s plastic pollution? Here are our suggestions:
INFORM
👩🏾🤝👨🏼 Check out and support charities such as Plastic Oceans, the people behind A Plastic Ocean, Surfers Against Sewage and @FashRev. They each have some amazing resources!
WATCH
📺 A Plastic Ocean
📺 Blue Planet II
📺 Zero waste chef Max La Manna’s talk on plastic pollution
📺 Breakwater, by @emmaskewuk (@earthminutesuk)
ACTIVATE
💦 WASH LESS: Consider washing your clothes less frequently, or at least make sure that they actually need washing - there’s nothing more pointless than washing a pair of jeans that aren’t actually dirty. Doing this will also help prolong the lives of garments.
💦 GUPPYBAG: Consider purchasing a Guppybag – these collect the fibres released by your clothes whilst being lost. Whilst you still have to deal with the waste produced (this isn’t a one-solution-fixes-all kind of situation) you can divert these synthetic fibres away from water systems.
💦 NATURAL FIBRES: Consider transitioning your wardrobe to a more natural textile base. Cotton and wool still release fibres, but they are broken down naturally once in water, so they pose little to no threat to wildlife, unlike synthetic fibres.
WEBSITE BONUS TIPS:
🌊 Look at the effect your own lifestyle has on plastic pollution - how much do you rely on single-use plastic or garments made out of synthetic fibres?
🌊 Write to policymakers (e.g. your local MP) to ask what they’re doing to tackle the issue and/or encourage them to do so.
🌊 Do a wardrobe inventory: what percentage of your wardrobe is made out of natural fibres?