Plastic is everywhere and as we realise the impact it has on the planet, we might be refusing plastic straws and single-use packaging, yet this material is likely to be hiding in the clothes we buy! Let’s learn more about the impacts of synthetics and find out better alternatives so we can leave plastics in 2022 and embrace more sustainable fibers in the new year! 

Chances are that the tags on your clothes mention polyester, nylon or acrylic, just to name a few synthetics commonly used in our clothes. Synthetics have made their way into every wardrobe item you can think of, they are mostly used for swimwear and activewear but even sweaters now contain synthetic blends.

Synthetic fibers, made from petrochemicals, plastics, and other non-renewable resources, became very popular as they allowed for cheaper and faster production. This is how clothing began to be mass produced, and fast fashion proliferated to the point where now a vast majority of clothing ends up in landfill after a very short lifespan. Synthetics are dominating the fashion industry, so much so that today almost 70% of the clothes on the planet are made of plastic fibers!

A big issue with synthetics is microplastics, which are released at every stage of the clothing lifecycle, from production, use and disposal. These particles are under 5 millimetres in size and they’re found everywhere, from the furthest corners of the North pole to the inside of our organs, bloodstreams, and food chains. Plastic Soup Foundation highlighted scientists’ concerns over the long-term effects of microplastics in their latest report “Do clothes make us sick? Fashion, fibers and human health”. Clothes might seem like a drop in the ocean when it comes to plastic pollution, yet the textile industry is the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in our oceans with an estimated 35% of microplastics released into oceans globally originating from synthetic textiles. 

Plastic Soup Foundation is campaigning against plastics in fashion. They are helping the European Committee to set the parameters of upcoming laws tackling this issue. Laws are needed around the use of certain materials, clothing compositions, quality standards, and production chains. To stop microplastics it’s also imperative to implement mandatory microfibre filters on all new washing machines. Plastic soup foundation has also released a free guide to help consumers make conscious choices when buying and washing clothes, to reduce the amount of microplastic clothes shed. 

We are proud to be collaborating with Positive fibers, a groundbreaking, Bio-circular™ brand that believes the clothing industry can be a powerful catalyst for change.

Positive Fibers are rethinking fashion supply chains starting with fibres and striving for a global circular economy that meets the needs of the people within the means of the planet. They are working towards this with one positive product at a time. They aim to make regenerative clothing that’s completely compostable at the end of its life. In the words of the founder, Marije de Roos “Our products are only the quality they are because of the people we work with.” 

They manufactured their first garment, the Bio-circular blazer™ in the MADE HERE atelier, which produces high-quality clothing, embracing ethical craftsmanship. They employ professional tailors from Syria and Lebanon who had to flee their countries. With Zero waste designs, they create timeless, quality products using regenerative fibres. They are revolutionising the fashion industry with circular garments, designed to return to the earth. 

Join the fight against plastics in fashion by supporting the Plastic Soup Foundation and brands like Positive Fibers, let’s join forces to change the system! Watch the campaign video we created in partnership with Positive Fibers that dives into their revolutionary Bio-circular™ blazer!