New study shows fashion industry’s plastic waste problem

The fashion industry is responsible for millions of tonnes of plastic waste, much of which ends up polluting the environment due to improper management.

Reporting from The Engineer.

In short:

• A study by NC State University revealed that the fashion industry produced over 20 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019.
• Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic were the largest contributors, accounting for 89% of this waste.
• Much of this plastic pollution occurs in lower-income countries where discarded clothes end up, exacerbating environmental issues.

Key quote:

“Much of the plastic waste that leaks into the environment comes from clothes that are thrown away, especially synthetic apparel. There is also waste from manufacturing, packaging and even from tyre abrasion during transport, as well as microplastics which get pulled into the water when we wash our clothes.”

— Richard Venditti, professor of paper science and engineering at NC State

Why this matters:

This isn’t just about the eyesore of a landfill; these microplastics are seeping into our water, soil, and ultimately, our food chain. Read more: California governor vetoes bill that would require microplastic filters on washing machines.