Fast fashion’s role in microplastics pollution raises concerns

Fast fashion is significantly contributing to environmental pollution through microplastics from synthetic clothing.

Meredith Bruckner reports for CBS News.

In short:

• Experts highlight that cheap, synthetic clothing sheds microplastics, contaminating water and land.
• The “More Life, Less Stuff” campaign encourages consumers to buy higher-quality, pre-owned, or natural fiber clothing.
• Producing clothing, especially synthetic, uses vast resources; a single cotton t-shirt requires 713 gallons of water.

Key quote:

“A lot of the clothing these days, especially cheaper clothing, is synthetic. A lot of it is polyester. It is a plastic. People don’t always think of fabrics as plastic, but they are plastic fibers unless it’s a natural material. And the synthetic fabrics are particularly bad at shedding microplastics.”

— Gillian Miller, Ecology Center

Why this matters:

Microplastics from synthetic clothes pose significant environmental risks, entering waterways and impacting marine life. Choosing sustainable clothing can reduce pollution and conserve resources.