Microplastics: The Invisible Consequence of Our Wardrobes
Photo taken at The Outernet, London
Ever wondered where all the tiny plastic particles floating in our oceans come from? Sure, we hear a lot about plastic straws and single-use bags, but what about your favourite yoga leggings or that fleece sweater you love? Turns out, the clothes we wear are a major culprit in microplastic pollution. And the worst part? Those tiny fibres don’t just stay in the sea -they’re now in our bodies, too.
Over 60% of all clothing produced today is made from synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic - materials derived from fossil fuels (UNEP). Every time we wash these garments, tiny plastic fibres - aka microplastics - break off and flow into our waterways. A single wash load of polyester clothing can release up to 700,000 microfibres into the environment (IUCN). With millions of people doing laundry daily, that adds up. Fast.
What’s worse, recycled polyester sheds even more microplastics than virgin polyester. While it’s often sold as an eco-friendly alternative, the truth is that turning plastic bottles into fabric doesn’t stop the shedding problem. It might sound like a great circular solution, but in reality, it just shifts plastic waste from landfills to our oceans and, eventually, our bodies. You may also be surprised to hear only 12.5% of polyester globally is recycled, and most of this comes from plastic bottles, not textile waste (source: UNEP).
Brace yourself - scientists estimate that the average person ingests about a credit card’s worth of plastic each week (WWF). Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and even placentas, raising concerns about potential long-term health effects. While we still don’t fully understand the impact, early research suggests links to inflammation, hormone disruption, and other health risks.
What Can We Do?
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry - small changes can make a big difference. Here’s how we can all help:
Wash Less, Wash Smarter: Cutting down on how often we wash synthetic clothes reduces microfibre shedding. When you do wash, use a microplastic-filtering laundry bag or install a washing machine filter to catch fibres before they reach our waterways.
Choose Natural Fibres: Opt for clothes made from organic cotton, hemp, linen, and wool instead of synthetic fabrics. These materials don’t shed microplastics and are biodegradable.
Buy Less, Buy Better: Fast fashion thrives on overproduction and cheap synthetic materials. Investing in high-quality, long-lasting clothing reduces demand for plastic-based fashion and minimises waste.
Advocate for Industry Change: Brands must be held accountable for their role in microplastic pollution. Demand transparency, support businesses prioritizing sustainable materials, and push for stronger regulations on textile pollution.
The Future: A Sea of Plastic or a Cleaner Planet?
While microplastics may be invisible to the naked eye, their impact is massive. If we continue on this path, future generations will inherit an ocean filled with plastic particles and ecosystems struggling to survive. But change is possible - we just need to make smarter choices, demand accountability, and challenge the greenwashing narratives that have dominated the fashion industry for too long.
So, the question isn’t just, What can we do? It’s What will we do? The future of fashion, and our planet, depends on it.