Member

Fashion's dirty microplastics secret

Public concern is mounting about the health and environmental consequences of microfibres.
Image may contain Paper and Text
Patagonia

Key takeaways:

  • Washing and wearing synthetic clothing releases microplastic fibres that aren’t likely good for the environment.

  • Brands are investing in research to determine the supply chain sources of such microfibres so they can mitigate their release into the environment.

  • There are early efforts to create substitute fabrics that can either biodegrade or be recycled.

In February, a group of activists and researchers will set sail from the Galápagos Islands to Easter Island. The 2,000-mile trip is just one leg on a two-year journey to collect the first global data set of microfibre pollution.