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PLASTIC IN CLOTHING, A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Afv

Did you know that almost 70% of all clothing on the planet is made from plastic? The development of new materials such as polyester and nylon facilitated the rise of so-called ‘fast fashion’. 

Fast fashion is cheap clothing that looks nice for a short time but was never meant to last. Clothing items are on average worn only 7 times (!!!). These poorly made clothes from plastic materials have numerous damaging side-effects like, for instance, plastic pollution.

Because during production, wearing and discarding, the plastic materials that are used release (‘shed’) little fragments called microfibres. These particles are under 5 millimetres in size and belong to the microplastics family, which you may have heard us talk about before. 

Our report “Do clothes make us sick? Fashion, fibers and human health” highlights the scientific research on microplastic fibers and the effects on human health. Scientists all over the world are deeply concerned about the long-term effects of microfibres. Researchers already find them everywhere; from the furthest corners of the North pole, to the inside of our organs, blood streams, and food chains. With a shocking 35%, the textile industry is the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in our oceans.

We need to stop fast fashion. As many as 74% of Dutch people is angry about the bad quality of fast fashion clothing.

It’s time to stop this, and you can really make a difference!

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How can I help?

  • Download our free guide, so you’ll know what you buy and wear. It will also help you to help the people around you make more conscious choices and avoid plastic-made clothes.
  • Sign up for our newsletter and follow our social media channels. We’ll be sharing useful tips and information and we need your help to nudge the clothing industry towards change! 

DEAR MANUFACTURERS, YOU CAN DO BETTER…

It’s not necessarily nice to realize, but for years now our favourite brands have been ignoring or denying the fact that their clothes are non-stop plastic polluters. From the first steps of the production process, until the sweater, jacket, or beanie, is finally thrown out, garments shed polluting plastic fibres.  

In fact, nothing is changing, while these companies talk the talk of sustainability and greener production methods all the time. This has to end now! We have the right to know what impact our wardrobes have on our health and the environment. Clothing manufacturers will have to step up and take responsibility! 

PLASTIC LEGISLATION TO RULE THE NATION

The only way to stop this plastic fashion pollution problem once and for all is through binding legislation. Only with binding laws from national and European governments can we force manufacturers to change their ways. 

  • We’ll need laws to regulate the use of certain materials, compositions, quality standards, and production chains. 
  • It would be wise to implement mandatory microfibre filters on all new washing machines. 
  • Laws could also help prevent false advertising, like labels on clothes that say ‘sustainable’, while shedding polluting microfibres all the time. 

Luckily, the European Union recognizes the microfibre problem and wants to address fast fashion manufacturers with legislation that they’re preparing now. The Plastic Soup Foundation is helping the European Committee to set the parameters of this law as tight as possible. 

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

See also

Clothing leaves a trail of plastic behind. With your support, we can tackle plastic pollution.

Help us with a donation!

Does clothing make us sick? About clothing, fibers and the effect on our health.

Read summary (PDF)

Dutch resent poor quality of fast-fashion clothing.

Read why
Scientists

Find the answers to the most common questions regarding plastic microfibers.

Visit Q&A

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