Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, and it's in your clothes, too. From polyester trousers to the elastic in your waistband, plastic is lurking in many places in your wardrobe. The majority of new clothes—up to 64% of new fabrics—are made of plastic, including common plastics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Synthetic fabrics are popular because they are cheap and versatile, but they come at an environmental cost. When we wash our clothes, small synthetic fibers are released, contributing to ocean plastic pollution and ending up in our water supply, the food chain, and even our own bodies. With plastic taking hundreds of years to degrade, it's crucial to recognize the role of clothing in plastic pollution and take steps towards sustainable fashion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of new fabrics made of plastics | 60-64% |
| Percentage of virgin plastics used in clothing | 63% |
| Percentage of recycled fabrics used in clothing | 3% |
| Common plastics used in clothing | Polyester, Nylon, Spandex, Acrylic |
| Impact of washing plastic clothing | Releases microplastics into the ocean |
| Impact of microplastics on marine life | Inhibits growth, reduces food intake |
| Impact of microplastics on humans | Found in blood, placenta, and baby poop |
| Health impact of microplastics | Unknown, but found to cause damage to human cells in labs |
| Alternatives to plastic clothing | Organic cotton, wool, linen, and other natural fibers |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Plastic is hidden in clothes, from zippers to labels, and even threads
- Washing plastic-containing clothes pollutes the ocean
- Plastic clothing is harmful to marine life and humans
- Plastic is cheap to produce, which has led to its centrality in the fashion industry
- Recycled plastic fabrics have a lower carbon footprint than virgin plastics
Plastic is hidden in clothes, from zippers to labels, and even threads
Plastic is pervasive in modern clothing, from the obvious to the well-hidden. The challenge of avoiding plastic in clothing is a tricky one, as brands rarely disclose what their threads are made from.
Some common plastics used in clothing are well-known, such as polyester, spandex, nylon, acrylic, and elastane. However, plastic is also hidden in plain sight in many garments, such as pleather trousers, or the elastic in the waistband of cotton shorts.
Even when plastic is not a primary material in a garment, it is often used in zippers, buttons, and labels. The fabric that zipper teeth are set into is almost always synthetic, and buttons, which were once made from wood, shells, or metal, are now usually plastic. Clothing labels are often made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and plastic tag fasteners are used for hang tags, price tags, and clothing tags.
The thread used to stitch garments together is also almost always synthetic, and these microplastics are shed from clothing, causing environmental harm. A single load of laundry could release hundreds of thousands of plastic fibers from clothing, which are not caught by filters in washing machines and end up in the ocean, contributing to plastic pollution and entering the food chain.
Plastic's Thermal Properties: Conductivity or Insulation?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Washing plastic-containing clothes pollutes the ocean
Plastic is everywhere, including our clothes. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are now about 60% of the material that makes up our clothes worldwide. They are popular because they are cheap and versatile, but they come at a cost to the environment. When we wash our clothes, abrasion and shedding cause small synthetic fibers to come off, and, because they are so tiny, the filters inside washing machines can't catch them.
These microfibers then pass through to sewage water and potentially end up in the ocean or rivers, where they are ingested by marine wildlife and humans (via seafood or tap water). A single load of laundry could release hundreds of thousands of fibers from our clothes into the water supply. These fibers are less than 5 millimeters in length, with diameters measured in micrometers (one-thousandth of a millimeter). Marine organisms, from the smallest to the largest, such as fish, sea turtles, and seabirds, ingest these microplastics, often mistaking them for food. This can cause blockages in the digestive system, interfere with nutrient absorption, and transfer toxins through the food chain, affecting the health and reproduction of marine species.
Scientists at VU Amsterdam have even found microplastic particles in human blood, with potential risks including inflammation and other immune responses. A recent study also found a direct link between in-utero exposure to microplastics and lower birth weights.
Laundry is responsible for 35% of global releases of primary microplastics into the world's oceans, with more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea, of which 35,500 tons are microplastics. To reduce the amount of plastic entering the oceans from washing our clothes, we can choose clothes made from natural materials such as cotton, linen, or silk, which do not release microplastics during washing. We can also use gentle washing programs and avoid over-washing, as well as use special devices designed to trap microplastic particles, such as the Cora Ball and the Guppyfriend washing bag.
Applying Vinyl Stickers to Plastic: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic clothing is harmful to marine life and humans
Plastic clothing is harmful to both marine life and humans. It is estimated that 60% of our clothes are made of plastic, with 63% of the materials used being virgin plastics. When synthetic clothing is washed, it releases microfibers that pollute the ocean, as they are too small to be caught by the filters in washing machines. These microfibers are ingested by marine wildlife, such as fish, molluscs, seabirds, and even deep-sea organisms, leading to issues such as starvation, suffocation, and toxic contamination. For example, a study found that 100% of mussels sourced from UK waters contained microplastic pieces.
Plastic clothing also negatively impacts human health. Microfibers can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure, potentially causing respiratory distress, inflammation in the digestive tract, and immune disorders. Scientists have even found microplastic particles in human blood, indicating potential risks to human health.
The durability of plastic is a significant concern for the environment, as it can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to degrade. This means that plastic clothing can have long-lasting harmful effects on both marine life and humans.
To reduce the impact of plastic clothing, individuals can embrace natural alternatives like cotton, linen, wool, or even seaweed textiles. It is also important to support sustainable and ocean-conscious brands, as well as reduce the overall consumption of clothing to minimize the presence of plastic in our wardrobes.
Delta Foundations B4311LF-SD: Plastic or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic is cheap to produce, which has led to its centrality in the fashion industry
Plastic is inexpensive to produce, and its versatility has made it a staple in the fashion industry. Synthetic fabrics are popular because they are cheap, lightweight, durable, flexible, and breathable. They can be used to make warm winter clothes and breathable sportswear. However, their environmental impact is significant and cannot be ignored.
The fashion industry relies heavily on plastic, with an estimated 60% of clothing materials being plastic. This includes commonly used synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic, and polyolefin. These fabrics tend to wear out quickly, leading to a rapid cycle of use and discard, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste.
The production and transportation of plastic for clothing require significant amounts of energy, causing environmental degradation. The process also contributes to the release of greenhouse gases, exacerbating the climate crisis. When synthetic clothing is washed, it sheds tiny plastic microfibers that pollute the water supply and eventually make their way into oceans and rivers. Laundry is a significant contributor to this issue, with an estimated 35% of global microplastic releases into oceans attributed to washing clothes. These microplastics are ingested by marine wildlife and can also end up in our drinking water, leading to potential health risks for humans.
The fashion industry's dependence on synthetic materials must change to reduce plastic pollution effectively. While recycling is an option for some companies, it is not a comprehensive solution. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable and eco-friendly clothing options, and manufacturers need to develop new materials and processes to reduce the shedding of microfibers during washing.
To summarize, plastic's affordability and versatility have led to its widespread use in the fashion industry, but its environmental and health impacts are severe. The industry must now focus on sustainability and reducing plastic pollution to protect the planet and human health.
Choosing the Right Thickness for Mulching Plastic
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Recycled plastic fabrics have a lower carbon footprint than virgin plastics
Many of the clothes in our wardrobe are made of plastic and are polluting the environment. Synthetic fabrics are popular because they are cheap and versatile, but their environmental impact is significant. Washing synthetic clothes can cause plastic microfibers to shed and pass through sewage treatment plants, ultimately polluting oceans and rivers. Marine wildlife and humans can ingest these microplastics, which also contaminate drinking water.
To address this issue, it is essential to transition to sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics. Recycled plastic fabrics are a more sustainable option than virgin plastics, with a lower carbon footprint. Virgin plastics are derived from petroleum and contribute to fossil fuel extraction and greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, recycled plastics help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment, and create a positive brand image. Recycling plastic also saves energy, with recycled plastic bottles requiring 75% less energy to produce than their virgin counterparts.
While recycled plastics may have slightly inferior physical properties and face processing challenges due to contaminants, recent technological advancements have enabled the production of high-quality recycled plastics. These recycled plastics can meet the highest quality standards and are suitable for a wide range of applications. Additionally, recycled plastics can reduce costs and create a positive brand image, as consumers increasingly favor sustainable materials.
In summary, recycled plastic fabrics offer a more sustainable alternative to virgin plastics, helping to reduce carbon emissions, protect the environment, and meet consumer demands for sustainable options. By transitioning to recycled plastic fabrics, we can lower our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.
Plastic Food Containers: Are They Safe?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fabrics with names like polyester, spandex, nylon, and acrylic are made from plastic. You may also find plastic in the form of synthetic blends in the labels, threads, zippers, lining, and buttons of your clothing.
Plastic is produced from fossil fuels, which causes massive pollution of our rivers, seas, and other ecosystems. Washing plastic-containing clothes can pollute the oceans as small synthetic fibers pass through sewage treatment plants and end up in the ocean or rivers as microplastics. These microplastics are ingested by marine wildlife and humans, and have been found to cause damage to human cells.
Choose plastic-free fabrics such as organic cotton, wool, linen, and other natural fibers. Look for bras without padding or that use cotton or cellulose-based wadding instead. Choose puffer jackets made from plant-based alternatives such as flowers, bamboo, and wood.
Some companies recycle old clothing, giving them a new purpose. You can also write to clothing companies and request that they address microplastic pollution by implementing plastic alternatives.
![Utopia Home [24 Pack, White] Cloth Napkins 17x17 Inches, 100% Polyester Hemmed Edges, Washable and Reusable Ideal for Parties, Weddings and Dinners](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71b8T-7p3uL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
