Our clothes may be contributing more plastic pollution than we realize. New research published in Nature Communications reveals synthetic fabrics shed significant microplastics, harming our environment.

Synthetic Shed: Exposing Clothing’s Microplastic Problem

A new study, published in the peer-reviewed, scientific journal Nature Communications, reveals a concerning truth about our wardrobes.

Titled “The global apparel industry: a significant, yet overlooked source of plastic leakage,” the research finds that synthetic clothing is a major contributor to microplastic pollution.

The study identifies two main ways that synthetics contribute to plastic pollution from clothing:

• Discarded synthetics: When synthetic garments reach landfills, they break down into microplastics over time.
• Microplastic shedding: During washing and wearing, synthetic fabrics release tiny plastic fibres that pollute waterways and ecosystems.

“The impact of synthetic clothing on microplastic pollution is significant,” said Dr. Jesse Daystar, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Cotton Incorporated. “Our research shows synthetic clothing sheds at least ten times more microplastics than cotton clothing.”

The report estimates that synthetic clothing contributes a staggering 7.4 million metric tons of plastic pollution annually, highlighting the urgent need for solutions within the synthetic fibre industry.

A Broader Approach to Sustainability

The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainability in the apparel industry. Initiatives beyond those focused on synthetic fibres include:

• Durable clothing: Encouraging the production of garments built to last, reducing overall waste.
• Reuse and recycling: Supporting programs that extend the life of clothing and reintroduce used materials back into the production cycle.
• Collaboration: Working with all stakeholders across the textile industry to minimize environmental impact.

By making informed choices and supporting sustainable brands, consumers can play a role in reducing microplastic pollution from clothing.

Solutions Needed for the Entire Apparel Industry

While cotton production itself contributes less than 1% of total plastic pollution, the industry is actively seeking solutions.  In this research, Cotton Incorporated and leading researchers quantified plastic leakage from the global apparel industry using the Plastic Leakage Project Methodology (discover that here: https://quantis.com/who-we-guide/our-impact/sustainability-initiatives/plastic-leak-project/).

The study’s methodology estimated the total mass of apparel consumed in each market by utilizing production and import data. For cotton apparel, net apparent consumption data was determined by adjusting domestic production, imports, exports, and losses throughout the value chain.

In contrast, synthetic clothing consumption was deduced from import data or assumptions about the proportion of apparel consumption attributed to cotton, due to its broader range of end-uses.

Other types of fibers were accounted for in a similar manner.

Learn More

To delve deeper into the research methodology, visit the following resources:

• Plastic Leakage Project Methodology: https://quantis.com/who-we-guide/our-impact/sustainability-initiatives/plastic-leak-project/
• Full research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49441-4

Let’s work together to create a fashion industry that respects the environment.

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