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https://forms.gle/AzgfwKGh8vgesFvM8

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33_ Lê Thị Hải Nhi

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Nguyễn Ngọc Yến Loan

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https://flipgrid.com/4395d00b

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Flipgrid is where social and emotional learning happens! The leading video discussion platform for millions of PreK to PhD educators, students, and families.

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18. Trần Ngọc Hân-f0-21/3 hết cách ly

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6 Đặng Như Ngọc_F0_đã hết cách li ngày 18/3/2022

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Họ và tên - F mấy - dự tính khi nào được quay lại lớp (người nào gõ đầu tiên thì ghi số 1 trước họ và tên, người nào gõ tiếp thì ghi số 2 trước tên để cô nắm số lượng cho nhanh, ko cần đếm)

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Họ và tên - F mấy - dự tính khi nào được quay lại lớp (người nào gõ đầu tiên thì ghi số 1 trước họ và tên, người nào gõ tiếp thì ghi số 2 trước tên để cô nắm số lượng cho nhanh, ko cần đếm)

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https://www.commonobjective.co/article/microfibres-what-to-know-and-do-beatplasticpollution

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Fibres & Fabrics

The fashion industry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution of the ocean. What do you need to know and what can you do about it?

Over a third (35 percent) of all microplastics released into the world's oceans are from synthetic textiles. ¹

Between half million and a million tons of plastic microfibres are discharged into wastewater each year from the washing of synthetic clothes. ²

Polyester, the major synthetic fibre, now commands a 62 percent market share and sheds on average six times more microplastic fibres than nylon. ³

Source: Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report 2021

Microplastics are pla...

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The fashion industry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution of the ocean. What do you need to know and what can you do about it?

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As consumers buy more and more clothes, the fast fashion industry has flourished, mass-producing trendy clothing using cheap, exploitative labor and environmentally-harmful processes.

By producing apparel and garments, massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions enter the atmosphere, water sources are depleted, and carcinogenic chemicals, dyes, salts, and heavy metals are dumped into waterways.

The fashion industry produces 20 percent of global wastewater and 10 percent of global carbon emissions, which is more than all international flights and maritime shipping, the UNEP reports. Each step of making clothes carries a significant environmental burden.

1. Textile Dyeing & Water Contamination

Processes like bleaching, softening, or making the garment water-resistant or anti-wrinkle require various chemicals and treatments to be applied to the fabric, CNN explains.

But textile dyeing is the biggest offender in the fashion industry and is the second-largest polluter of water globally, according to the UNEP.

Dyeing clothes to get vivid colors and finishes that are common in the fast fashion industry require large amounts of water and chemicals, which end up being dumped in nearby rivers and lakes.

The World Bank has identified 72 toxic chemicals that end up in waterways from textile dyeing. Wastewater disposal is rarely regulated or monitored, meaning fashion brands and factory owners are left unaccountable. Water contamination destroys the local environments of garment-producing nations like Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is the world's second-biggest garment exporter, with apparel reaching thousands of stores across the United States and Europe. But the country's waterways have been polluted for years by garment operations, textile mills, and dyeing plants.

An article from CNN revealed the impact of water pollution on residents who live near Bangladesh's largest garment manufacturing districts. Residents say the waters now have a "pitch black color" and "there are no fish."

"The kids get sick if they stay here," one man told CNN, explaining that his two children and grandson are unable to live with him "because of the water."

Chemical-laden water kills plants and animals in or near the waterways, destroying ecosystem biodiversity in these areas. The dyeing chemicals also have significant human health impacts and have been linked to forms of cancer, gastrointestinal problems, and skin irritation. The harmful chemicals get into the food system when polluted water is used to irrigate crops and contaminate vegetables and fruit.

Employees in garment factories are often left unprotected from harmful dyes.

"People don't have gloves or sandals, they're barefoot, they don't have masks, and they are working with dangerous chemicals or dyes in a congested area. They are like sweat factories," Ridwanul Haque, chief executive of the Dhaka-based NGO Agroho, told CNN.

Governments and brands have sought to clean up waterways and regulate dye water disposal after pressure from consumers and advocacy groups like Agroho. In recent years, China has enacted environmental policies to crack down on textile dye pollution. But while some regions saw a great improvement in water quality, water pollution remains a significant problem across the country.

2. Fossil Fuel Fabrics & Microfibers

About 60 percent of all garments contain polyester, a synthetic fabric made with fossil fuels. Emissions of CO2 from polyester in clothing are nearly 3 times higher than those for cotton, Greenpeace reported.

When repeatedly washed, synthetic garments shed microfibers (microplastics) that eventually end up polluting waterways and never biodegrade. A 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean came from synthetic fabrics like polyester. Microfibers are easily ingested by marine life, working their way into the human food system and human bodies, and can carry harmful bacteria.

3. Landfills & Waste

In particular, fast fashion is driving up waste by continuously releasing new trends of poorly-made clothes that easily rip and tear. Just within years of being made, consumers discard their clothes which end up in incinerators or landfills. One garbage truck of clothes is burned or sent to landfills every second, the Ellen Macarthur Foundation reported.

Almost 85 percent of textiles end up in landfills, where it could take up to 200 years for materials to decompose. This is not only a huge waste of the resources used in these products but also releases more pollution as clothes are burned or sit in landfills, releasing greenhouse emissions.

More Sustainable Practices

Movements toward biodegradable fashion are pushing for environmentally-friendly dyes and alternative fabrics that do not take hundreds of years to decompose.

In 2019, the UN launched the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion to coordinate international efforts to curb the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

"There are fantastic ways to get new clothes without buying new," Carry Somers, founder and global operations director of Fashion Revolution, told WBUR. "We can hire. We can rent. We can swap. Or we can invest in clothes which are made by artisans, which have taken time and skill to produce."

Comprehensive changes in the fast fashion industry can help end sweatshops and exploitation work practices, heal the health and environments of communities where garments are produced, and also aid the global fight in mitigating climate change.

It's important to be conscious of your fashion footprint when you think about cutting out plastic from your life. Sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue are paving the way by designing recycled and plastic-free clothes that produce no waste. They can be returned and remade into new products over and over again!

Source: The Economist/YouTube

Read more about the environmental impact of the fashion industry and some ways to reduce your impact:

10 Ways to Naturally Dye Fabric at Home Using Fruits, Vegetables, and Plants

An Astounding 60% of Clothes in Your Closet are Made Using Plastic!

A Guide to Buying Sustainable, Fair-Trade, and Cruelty-Free Clothing

What Is the Most Animal and Eco-Friendly Material for Clothing?

Zara Pledges to Make All Sustainable Clothing by 2025!

10 Tips to Upcycle Everything in Your Closet

How to Repurpose, Recycle, and Reuse Old Mattresses

Learn How to Repurpose, Recycle, and Reuse Old Leather

12 Things That Can Be Repurposed as Planters

How to Repurpose, Recycle, and Reuse Old Chairs

How to Recycle Clothes

How to Repurpose, Recycle, or Resell Old Shoes

Sign this petition to demand that the U.S. pass a law banning all clothing designers, manufacturers, and stores from burning excess, unsold merchandise!

Related Content:

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster , the largest plant-based recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks .

Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don't forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!

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How the Fast Fashion Industry Destroys the Environment

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As consumers buy more and more clothes, the fast fashion industry has flourished, mass-producing trendy clothing using cheap, exploitative labor and environmentally-harmful processes. By producing apparel and garments, massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions enter the atmosphere, water sources are depleted, and carcinogenic chemicals, dyes, salts, and heavy metals are dumped into waterways.

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https://www.fashionandthefree.com/fashion-impact-oceans

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Fashion's Impact on our Oceans - Fashion and the Free

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In honor of UN World Oceans Day, this article looks at how fashion and clothing pollutes the oceans, and some small changes we can make as consumers, fashion industry professionals and as retailers to have a positive impact.

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It might come as a surprise to some that the clothing and textiles industries are among the most polluting on the planet. However, the sector contributes as much as 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the world, as well as being responsible for various other types of air pollution. What's more, the disposable nature of modern consumer culture means that it generates a substantial amount of waste, as well.

Furthermore, this apparel is all too often made from cheap and low-quality materials which carry a high plastic content. Even while they are being used, they can expel tiny microplastics into the environment through the process of washing and drying, with the particles eventually finding their way into the ocean. Scientists are already working on advanced techniques to address this growing problem, but the best solution would be to stop it at source.

If you have an interest in learning more about how industry contributes to pollution through the emissions it generates, the CEM Conference is taking place virtually this year. Those keen to attend can sign up online and attend via video link in March to expand their knowledge on the subject.

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What Are the Most Polluting Industries? - Fashion

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It might come as a surprise to some that the clothing and textiles industries are among the most polluting on the planet. However, the sector contributes as much as 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the world, as well as being responsible for various other types of air pollution.

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Environmental Sustainability in the Fashion Industry

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Fast fashion comes at an astonishing environmental and social cost. While the impacts of the fashion industry in terms of pollution, water use, carbon emissions, human rights, and gender inequality are increasing, the need for a shift to sustainable fashion…

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https://youtu.be/Ko_BZhIpI1Q

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https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/sustainable-fashion/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Environmental Sustainability in the Fashion Industry

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Fast fashion comes at an astonishing environmental and social cost. While the impacts of the fashion industry in terms of pollution, water use, carbon emissions, human rights, and gender inequality are increasing, the need for a shift to sustainable fashion…

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https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10#clothing-production-has-roughly-doubled-since-2000-1

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Some parts of modern life are, at this point, widely known to cause environmental harm - flying overseas, using disposable plastic items, and even driving to and from work, for example. But when it comes to our clothes, the impacts are less obvious.

As consumers worldwide buy more clothes, the growing market for cheap items and new styles is taking a toll on the environment. On average, people bought 60% more garments in 2014 than they did in 2000. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams.

What's more, 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year. And washing some types of clothes sends thousands of bits of plastic into the ocean.

Here are the most significant impacts fast fashion has on the planet.

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The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet.

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Some parts of modern life are, at this point, widely known to cause environmental harm - flying overseas, using disposable plastic items, and even driving to and from work, for example. But when it comes to our clothes, the impacts are less obvious.

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https://kimonoreborn.com/fashionimpact/

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Photo by Neenawat Khenyothaa in Thailand

Photo by Neenawat Khenyothaa in Thailand

Our Ethical Lifestyle is the Key for a Better Future

Nature is a home for all lives. Forests, for example, provide numerous resources, such as wood, water, food as well as the air that we breath. Asia, with its rapidly growing economy, is the most populous continent on Earth. Expanding human settlements, plantations, industry, and its infrastructure have extraordinarily impacted tropical forests, rivers, oceans, and nature's biodiversity, which in turn affects humanity's well-being. The fashion industry is directly related to these issues. Our ethical lifestyle and "A respectful and caring mind" for nature are the crucial keys of the planet's future.

A seal from the Horsey colony in UK was caught in a discarded fishing net. The seal was later freed. Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish. (Photo by Ian Dyball)

Fact of Our Fashion Behavior

Most clothing are wasted !

Less than 1 % of used clothing is recycled into new garments. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that every year some USD 500 billion in value is lost due to clothing that is barely worn, not donated, recycled, or ends up in a landfill.

What percent of possessed clothes do we wear?

According to "Sustain Your Style", most women in western countries wear only 20% to 30% of their clothes. The average number of times that they wear each garment before getting rid of them is only 7 times. How about you?

"Fast Fashion" encourages us to buy more.

"Fast Fashion", managed by mass-production of cheap, low quality clothing and low labor cost encourages consumers to buy more clothes. Today, the average volume per person purchasing clothes is 60 % more than in 2000.

The plastic pollution in Thailand. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles have been extremely affecting marine life and they can spread throughout the food chain. (Photo by Stephane Bidouze)

Nature is a home for all lives. Forests, for example, provide numerous resources, such as wood, water, food as well as the air that we breath. Asia, with its rapidly growing economy, is the most populous continent on Earth. Expanding human settlements, plantations, industry, and its infrastructure have extraordinarily impacted tropical forests, rivers, oceans, and nature's biodiversity, which in turn affects humanity's well-being. The fashion industry is directly related to these issues. Our ethical lifestyle and "A respectful and caring mind" for nature are the crucial keys of the planet's future.

A seal from the Horsey colony in UK was caught in a discarded fishing net. The seal was later freed. Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish. (Photo by Ian Dyball)

Most clothing are wasted!

Less than 1 % of used clothing is recycled into new garments. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that every year some USD 500 billion in value is lost due to clothing that is barely worn, not donated, recycled, or ends up in a landfill.

Most clothing are wasted!

Less than 1 % of used clothing is recycled into new garments. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that every year some USD 500 billion in value is lost due to clothing that is barely worn, not donated, recycled, or ends up in a landfill.

What percent of possessed clothes do we wear?

According to "Sustain Your Style", most women in western countries wear only 20% to 30% of their clothes. The average number of times that they wear each garment before getting rid of them is only 7 times. How about you?

What percent of possessed clothes do we wear?

According to "Sustain Your Style", most women in western countries wear only 20% to 30% of their clothes. The average number of times that they wear each garment before getting rid of them is only 7 times. How about you?

"Fast Fashion" encourages us to buy more.

"Fast Fashion", managed by mass-production of cheap, low quality clothing and low labor cost encourages consumers to buy more clothes. Today, the average volume per person purchasing clothes is 60 % more than in 2000.

"Fast Fashion" encourages us to buy more.

"Fast Fashion", managed by mass-production of cheap, low quality clothing and low labor cost encourages consumers to buy more clothes. Today, the average volume per person purchasing clothes is 60 % more than in 2000.

The plastic pollution in Thailand. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles have been extremely affecting marine life and they can spread throughout the food chain. (Photo by Stephane Bidouze)

Every year half a million tons of textile plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean. That is equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions. That is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined!

Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment.

Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water - enough to meet the consumption needs of five million people.

Impacts of the Fashion Industry on the Environment

Every year half a million tons of textile plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean. That is equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions. That is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined!

Of the total fiber input used for clothing, 87 % is incinerated or disposed of in a landfill.

Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment.

Every year the fashion industry use 93 Billion cubic meters of water enough to meet the consumption needs of 5 Million people.

Before buying, check if the clothing was made in a sustainable way.

Be creative in combining garments and recycle them after they wear out.

Repair clothing.

Donate what you no longer use.

Buy only what you need. In some countries, 40 % of purchased clothing is never used.

Consider quality over quantity.

Buy second-hand clothing.

Be a smart laundry manager - for example, wash full loads and use non-abrasive detergents.

(References : World Bank's Feature Story)

Before buying, check if the clothing was made in a sustainable way.

Be creative in combining garments and recycle them after they wear out.

Repair clothing.

Donate what you no longer use.

Buy only what you need. In some countries,
40 % of purchased clothing is never used.

Consider quality over quantity.

Buy second-hand clothing.

Be a smart laundry manager - for example,
wash full loads and use non-abrasive detergents.

(References : World Bank's Feature Story)

Before buying, check if the clothing was made in a sustainable way.

Be creative in combining garments and recycle them after they wear out.

Repair clothing.

Donate what you no longer use.

Buy only what you need. In some countries, 40 % of purchased clothing is never used.

Consider quality over quantity.

Buy second-hand clothing.

Be a smart laundry manager - for example, wash full loads and use non-abrasive detergents.

(References : World Bank's Feature Story)

Before buying, check if the clothing was made in a sustainable way.

Be creative in combining garments and recycle them after they wear out.

Repair clothing.

Donate what you no longer use.

Buy only what you need. In some countries, 40 % of purchased clothing is never used.

Consider quality over quantity.

Buy second-hand clothing.

Be a smart laundry manager - for example, wash full loads and use non-abrasive detergents.

(References : World Bank's Feature Story)

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Photo by Neenawat Khenyothaa in Thailand Photo by Neenawat Khenyothaa in Thailand Nature is a home for all lives. Forests, for example, provide numerous resources, such as wood, water, food as well as the air that we breath. Asia, with its rapidly growing economy, is the most populous continent on Earth.

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With textiles the biggest source of the 1.4 quadrillion chemically laced microfibres that are floating in our seas and entering the food chain, Mark Hillsdon looks at nascent efforts by the likes of H&M and other Fashion Pact members to clean up its act

While images of plastic bottles littering beaches, and marine wildlife caught up in abandoned fishing nets, have dramatically raised the profile of ocean pollution, this visible plastic junk may represent as little as 1% of the problem. The rest is made up of microfibres, tiny threads that are shed by clothes during manufacturing and when they are washed. Research has shown that one machine load of washing can shed more than 700,000 of these fibres.

Although around 50% of our clothing is made from plastic, new research from Italy's Institute of Marine Sciences suggests that the majority of these tiny threads aren't made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, as had been presumed, but cotton, linen and other man-made fibres such as raylon, which have been so impregnated with chemicals that they aren't able to naturally biodegrade.

Whatever their make-up, microfibres are flooding the oceans. While some are caught by filters in washing machines, and others are extracted at waste treatment plants, it's estimated that some 1.4 quadrillion are floating in our seas, absorbing pollutants and other poisonous substances, and becoming highly toxic.

We need to make more of a connection between the sea and what we do in our everyday lives,

They are also starting to enter the food chain, with research showing that 63% of shrimp in the North Sea now contain microfibres, as marine life mistakes the threads for food. Another report in July revealed microfibres have been found in the guts of sharks living off the UK coast for the first time, while a r ecent study of the Atlantic Ocean in Nature Communications found that both "inputs and stocks of ocean plastics are much higher than determined previously".

Dr Laura Foster, the Marine Conservation Society's head of clean seas, says: "Tiny microfibres are less visible than a plastic bottle but we need to make more of a connection between the sea and what we do in our everyday lives, including the clothes we wear and put in the wash. It all becomes part of a soup of ocean plastic."

While the textile industry is thought to be responsible for nearly 35% of all microfibre pollution, critics say fashion brands have been slow to address the risk.

One machine load of washing can shed more than 700,000 microfibres. (Credit: Megastocker/Shutterstock)

Carry Somers is founder of Fashion Revolution, a community interest corporation that publishes an annual Fashion Transparency Index, based on a survey of over 250 leading fashion brands. The current survey revealed that only 20% of companies had a strategy in place to prevent microfibre shedding from their clothing. "Textiles are the biggest contributors to ocean plastic pollution, so why are so few brands doing anything about it?" asks Somers. "Why aren't they looking at microfibre shedding, because you can pretty much guarantee they are all using synthetics."

H&M is one of the companies on the index that is tackling microfibres, and in a statement told The Ethical Corporation that as well as designing yarns and fabrics that minimise microfibre shedding, it is also looking at alternative, bio-based materials.

"We think that microfibre pollution needs to be tackled with a holistic view on several perspectives: design, production, fabric construction, usage on washing machines and end-of-life," read the statement.

You need more people to move the needle. It needs the power of the collective

The company is also part of MinShed, a project run by the Swedish research institute SWEREA, which is helping the textile industry design clothes made of fabrics that don't emit microfibres.

H&M is also part of another industry body, the Fashion Pact. Launched at last year's G7 in Biarritz, the pact is made up of fashion industry chief executives representing over 60 leading businesses, from Adidas and Nike through to luxury names such as Burberry and Prada.

One of the pact's three commitments is to protect the oceans and includes supporting innovation to eliminate microfibre pollution from the washing of synthetic materials, as well as efforts to educate consumers on product care.

It is estimated there are 1.4 quadrillion microfibres floating in our seas. (Credit: griffyn/Unsplash)

But while the pact's executive director, Eva von Alvensleben, confirms that CEOs are now meeting to find solutions to the problems posed by microfibres, she is tight-lipped about exactly what the pact is doing, saying the results of their action will be communicated at the end of the year.

She does, however, concede though that while "it's an industry that is at the forefront of sustainability," fashion does need to up its game. "You need more people to move the needle," she says. "It needs the power of the collective."

This collaborative approach is epitomised by the Microfibre Consortium (TMC), a UK-based industry group that has developed the first standardised methodology for measuring microfibre shedding and what triggers it.

I'm not seeing the level of innovation at the yarn or fabric level that I would anticipate at this stage

Developed with support from the University of Leeds, the methodology goes live at the end of the year, explains TMC founder Sophie Mather. This will allow different materials to be tested at scale, improving R&D and creating a database. The goal is to create a traffic-light system for shedding rates similar to that used by other consumer goods such as fridges. "That's what the brands and retailers are really wanting to move towards," she says.

Such a system will also help to drive change further down the supply chain, says Mather, and help brands make better-informed decisions about what materials are used and how garments are put together. For instance, using laser cutting rather than scissors creates less frayed edges and reduces shedding.

The consortium is also supporting the development of alternative textiles by looking at composition and fabric structure, but progress is slow. "I'm not seeing the level of innovation and technology at the yarn or the fabric level that I would anticipate at this stage," says Mather.

Some 63% of North Sea shrimp contain microfibres. (Credit: Jace Cameron/Shutterstock)

Somers agrees. "There seems to be very little brand appetite for those alternative textiles," she says. "It's not like there's easy options out there for the industry... we need to see a lot more brands investing in innovation."

Some progress is being made, however, particularly in the US, where Mango Materials has developed a process that turns methane into bioplastic, a naturally biodegradable material that can be used by the clothing industry. Elsewhere, biotech company Genomatica is manufacturing nylon made from plants instead of crude oil.

But Mather also stresses that biodegradable materials don't necessarily hold all the answers. "We need to move away from just pointing the finger at synthetics; this is an issue that affects all fibres," she says.

Rayon and cotton yarns are often processed with a wide range of chemicals, which may slow remineralisation

This is a point born out by Giuseppe Suaria's research at the Institute of Marine Sciences. Published in ScienceAdvances in June, it showed that although microfibres are traditionally reported as microplastics in plastic pollution studies, in fact only 8.2% of microfibres it collected in 916 seawater samples from six oceans were synthetic, with 79.5% being cellulosic (including cotton, linen and man-made fibres like rayon/viscose) and 12.3% of animal origin.

It was a surprise finding, considering that synthetic polymers currently account for two-thirds of global fibre production, the researchers said.

"Our results highlight a considerable mismatch between the global production of synthetic fibres and the current composition of marine fibres," said Suaria.

Natural products like wool that have been chemically treated do not biodegrade. (Credit: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

The study pointed out that despite being considered biodegradable, little is known about the degradation of wool and cellulosic fibres in marine environments. "Rayon and cotton yarns are often processed, finished, dyed, and coated with a wide range of chemicals including resins, softeners, and flame retardants, which may considerably slow their remineralisation."

According to Fashion Revolution, more than 15,000 chemicals are regularly used in textile manufacturing, from dyes to anti-shrinking agents and water repellents: "It's an endless list," says Somers. Yet 60% of brands don't publish an inventory of the chemicals they use. "A lot of these chemicals are sitting in or on the microfibres," she adds, yet "there is so little information, considering what a huge issue it is."

It's a question that another US business, Evolved by Nature, is seeking to tackle with a textile finishing chemistry called Activated Silk. Made from pure silk protein dissolved in water, it's a technology that has already spiked the interest of several major brands, says company manager Meg Roberts.

We need regulation because there are always going to be laggard brands

"Our goal is to reduce or completely replace the use of petroleum-derived finishing chemistry in the textile industry, which is also contributing to the microplastic problem," she explains.

"Many people don't realise that clothing is coated in different chemicals that impart desirable performance properties such as waterproofing, moisture-wicking, or anti-wrinkle. Similar to washing a synthetic garment where microfibres are shed, these chemicals are also being washed into waterways, where they accumulate and, in some cases, become more toxic."

While the end of the year should see more announcements from the Fashion Pact, and the release of TMC's methodology on shedding, Somers also sees the need for legislation. "This problem isn't going to go away and we really need regulation because there are always going to be those laggard brands who aren't going to move unless they're compelled to do so," she says.

Mark Hillsdon is a Manchester-based freelance writer who writes on business and sustainability for The Ethical Corporation, The Guardian, and a range of nature-based titles including CountryFile and BBC Wildlife.

Main picture credit: Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock

This article is part of our in-depth briefing, Sustainable oceans. See also:
Time is rapidly running out to save oceans Using blockchain to bring transparency from sea to plate Can sustainable aquaculture feed the world? Big data employed to increase traceability in bid to to save the big blue sea ESG investors slow to make waves in the $2.5tn ocean economy Soaring growth in offshore renewables puts wind in the sails of the energy transition
Microfibres ocean plastics Fashion Transparency Index MinShed Fashion Pact Microfibre Consortium Genomatica Mango Materials Institute of Marine Sciences H&M Evolved by Nature Fashion revolution

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Fashion 'slow to act on ocean plastic pollution from microfibres'

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While images of plastic bottles littering beaches, and marine wildlife caught up in abandoned fishing nets, have dramatically raised the profile of ocean pollution, this visible plastic junk may represent as little as 1% of the problem. The rest is made up of microfibres, tiny threads that are shed by clothes during manufacturing and when they are washed.

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https://www.fashionrevolution.org/whats-in-our-clothes-and-how-does-it-affect-the-oceans/

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What’s In Our Clothes and How Does it Affect the Oceans? - Fashion Revolution

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Plastic is designed to last forever, but we are using it to design products, including clothing and its related packaging, that are only used once. Around two thirds of our clothes are made from synthetic fibres, such as polyester, acrylic and nylon, which are all plastics. The process of turning fo…

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https://psci.princeton.edu/tips/2020/7/20/the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-the-environment

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Fast Fashion Speeding Toward Ocean Pollution

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20_Nguyễn Ngọc Mai

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https://www.google.com.vn/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjHht6Yks_1AhUSQd4KHTHyAnEQFnoECBcQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sustainyourstyle.org%2Fen%2Fwhats-wrong-with-the-fashion-industry&usg=AOvVaw2ZXHSdd6-gpQflZ-bWrp-R

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https://www.fashionandthefree.com/fashion-impact-oceans

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https://mochni.com/what-is-an-ocean-dead-zone-and-why-is-the-fashion-industry-a-contributor/

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Sustainable Publication For Eco Brands And Conscious People.

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The ocean affects us all. 70% of the planet is covered by ocean. If the ocean is healthy, we are healthy, because the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe are in some way or form from the ocean. Did you know that 70% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean, according to Nat Geo. The ocean provides climate regulation, nutrient recycling, and is home to innumerable quantities of marine and wildlife. It isn't fake news, it isn't alternative facts, it is reality. Statistics, data, and facts can't lie.

Let's take a look at how the ocean supports more than our existence in the U.S. alone. The ocean supports our economy through the fishing, boating, tourism, and transport industries to name a few. According to NOAA, 1 in 6 jobs in the U.S. are marine-related, supporting over 28 million jobs. Think about the amount of people you see fishing year round. The fishing industry in the U.S. profits over $55 billion annually. Have you traveled recently or are planning a trip? Travel and tourism to the U.S. especially to our beaches attracts over 90 million people a year which generates 85% of all U.S. tourism revenues ( NOAA). This is not even taking into account the locals. So how can we say that we are not impacted by the ocean, and in turn, impacting the ocean? Simply put: we can't.

First and foremost, is not jumping to the conclusion that if we don't understand it, it is fake news. Climate change is real and global warming is real. It is proven by science, justified by data, and believed to be real by 194 countries all over the world acting to halt climate change. Let me repeat: 194 countries, some who have been at war for centuries have come to an agreement that climate change is real. That is a big deal! This in turn shows us that we are in some way or form impacting the ocean.

We see our impacts in many ways, and one of the most alarming forms is through ocean dead zones. It isn't something discussed on our local or national news. But if you look deeper into what a dead zone is, it is terrifying; especially after I learned that one of the largest ocean dead zones in the world is only a few hours away from me in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

"An ocean dead zone is extremely low-oxygen areas in the world's oceans, lake ways, and rivers caused by excessive pollution from human activity depleting oxygen required to support most marine life in the water." (NOAA) These areas in the ocean are created by such low oxygen concentration that animal and marine life suffocate and die, or those that are mobile, permanently leave.

As I looked deeper into the causes of these ocean dead zones, I wasn't surprised. The dead zones seen in the Gulf of Mexico were traced back to when farmers would begin to fertilize their lands preparing for crop season. The rain and runoff would then wash the fertilizer off the land and into streams, lakes and rivers, ultimately ending up in the gulf. These dead zones then essentially become biological deserts.

Scientists and analysts have found that nutrient pollution by humans is the primary cause for ocean dead zones. When excess nutrients or pollutants runoff the land or are piped as wastewater into rivers and coasts, this can stimulate an algae overgrowth. The algae then decomposes in the water depleting the supply of oxygen available to healthy marine and wildlife ( NOAA). The constant cycle of pollution in certain areas of the world has led to permanent dead zones.

Although some ocean dead zones are reversible, the consequences prior to reversal are detrimental to all walks of life. If we look at the amount of known and unknown wildlife that live in the depths of the ocean, we can only imagine what they have consumed, what has seeped into their skin, and how long the dead zone has affected their being. In turn, we as humans see the impacts with high toxic levels of algae on beaches, lake ways and coastlines, waterborne infectious diseases, harmful algal bloom toxins, and contaminated seafood. The health of the wildlife isn't only effected by dead zones, it effects every living being. This also impacts the coastal economy which then effects the country. The ocean isn't to be played with or tested. It has power that no man has or ever will have. So how does all this connect to fashion?

The vast majority of the fibers used to create clothing are natural fibers that come from the Earth, therefore they are harvested. To produce large quantities quickly, the crops are treated with human pesticides and GMOs, aka toxic chemicals. These chemicals then go from the fields as runoff and/or wash off into our waterways, or the chemicals seeps into our soil and into the crop through farming. The pollution doesn't stop there.

Once the crops are harvested and turned into fibers, the fibers are dyed or the fibers are woven or knit into fabric and dyed. According to Alternatives Journal, the fashion industry has the highest use and pollution of freshwater with 17-20% of industrial water pollution coming from textile dyeing and treatment. Greenpeace stated, the dyeing process in the fashion industry uses 1.7 million tons of various chemicals in the entire process. Due to lack of quality control and the need for quicker production in fast fashion, many factories lack the resources and time to effectively manage their runoff. Therefore, these toxins and pollutants end up in our waterways.

Finally, the clothes are produced and purchased. Phewf! What a relief this toxic cycle finally has ended. But wait, it doesn't stop there. Like many fast fashion pieces, the clothes are produced quickly with inadequate quality control, and purchased due to low costs with little knowledge of durability and longevity. The clothes are worn and washed in our rough machines and the poorly woven or knit fibers breakaway from the clothes ending up being washed into our wastewater. Many wastewater plants don't have a way to filter out these fibers so the fibers flow into streams, rivers, and eventually the ocean.

Some may still argue the legitimacy of if the fashion industry truly impacts our ocean and ocean dead zones, but the facts are all there. It is time for us to use our knowledge, our resources and a bit of common sense to create and push for a new ending to the story because if we don't act quick enough it might be too late for people and the ocean. The cause and effect relationship is there, but it is who believes it and who acts on it that truly matters. What can we do to help save our oceans?

First step is accepting that we need the ocean, we impact the ocean, and climate change is connected to the ocean. By creating a common ground, we are putting our ocean and planet first, therefore our future first. When we come together and stand united, we can progress even further.

Second step is educating ourselves on what we can do differently and how we can halt the progress of the damage that has already been done to our oceans. Simple knowledge of ocean dead zones, staying current on environmental laws and regulations, and knowing what is going on in the ocean is key for us as consumers and citizens to initiate and push for change.

Now more than ever, we need to use the power of our voice, especially after the U.S. pulled out of the Paris Agreement, a global target of maintaining global average temperatures from rising 2°C by the end of the century. Beyond 2 degrees, we risk dramatically higher seas, changes in weather patterns, food and water crises, and an overall more hostile world all connected to the ocean ( VOX).

Third step is adapting and adopting. Choosing to farm and harvest with environmentally-friendly and GMO free, using natural dyes for clothing production, and hand-washing our clothes are just a few small steps we can take to help save our oceans and make our clothes last. Also, use your dollar to vote for conscious living and consumption through purchasing organic produce or sustainable clothing, but also use your voice to be the change. If you want to save our ocean and believe in the power it holds over our livelihood then vote for regulators, locally and nationally, that support research into climate change, global pollution impacts and sustainable advancements. By voting for regulators that push comprehensive bills, we are using our power as consumers and citizens to make a stance on what we find important and how we want to see change. Be an active citizen with your dollar and voice. Our planet, our oceans, and our future depend on us.

Participate in a World Oceans Day event or activity this year and help protect the ocean for the future! It's up to each one of us to help ensure that our ocean is healthy for future generations. World Oceans Day allows us to:

Change perspective - encourage individuals to think about what the ocean means to them and what it has to offer all of us with hopes of conserving it for present and the future generations.

Learn - discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures and habitats, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are all interconnected.

Change our ways - we are all linked to, and through, the ocean! By taking care of your backyard and helping in your community, you are acting as a caretaker of our ocean. Making small modifications to your everyday habits will make a difference, and involving your family, friends, and community will benefit our blue planet even more!

Celebrate - whether you live inland or on the coast, we are all connected to the ocean. Take the time to think about how the ocean affects you, and how you affect the ocean, and then organize or participate in activities that celebrate our ocean.

Find a planned Event to attend (bring your kids) in your near through worldoceansday.org. #WORLDOCEANSDAY

Illustrations: Mike Luckovich

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What Is An Ocean Dead Zone And Why Is The Fashion Industry A Contributor?

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The ocean affects us all. 70% of the planet is covered by ocean. If the ocean is healthy, we are healthy, because the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe are in some way or form from the ocean.

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https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3dc01a67c15e4dab8b6c051995fa44f3

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Fast Fashion Speeding Toward Ocean Pollution

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These facts show how unsustainable the fashion industry is

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The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are 22 statistics showing its impact on the planet.

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https://www.fashionandthefree.com/fashion-impact-oceans

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Fashion's Impact on our Oceans - Fashion and the Free

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In honor of UN World Oceans Day, this article looks at how fashion and clothing pollutes the oceans, and some small changes we can make as consumers, fashion industry professionals and as retailers to have a positive impact.

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https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/fashion-industry-carbon-unsustainable-environment-pollution/

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These facts show how unsustainable the fashion industry is

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The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are 22 statistics showing its impact on the planet.

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https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3dc01a67c15e4dab8b6c051995fa44f3

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Fast Fashion Speeding Toward Ocean Pollution

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https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/

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Clothing retailers like Zara, Forever 21, and H&M make cheap and fashionable clothing to satisfy the needs of young consumers. Yet, fast fashion has a significant environmental impact. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions - more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Unfortunately, fast fashion problems are often overlooked by consumers.
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What Is Fast Fashion?

The term ' fast fashion ' has become more prominent in conversations surrounding fashion, sustainability, and environmental consciousness. The term refers to 'cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get pumped quickly through stores in order to maximise on current trends'.

The fast fashion model is so-called because it involves the rapid design, production, distribution, and marketing of clothing, which means that retailers are able to pull large quantities of greater product variety and allow consumers to get more fashion and product differentiation at a low price.

The term was first used at the beginning of the 1990s, when when Zara landed in New York. "Fast fashion" was coined by the New York Times to describe Zara's mission to take only 15 days for a garment to go from the design stage to being sold in stores. The biggest players in the fast fashion world include Zara, UNIQLO, Forever 21 and H&M.

The Dark Side of Fast Fashion

According to an analysis by Business Insider, fashion production comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions, as much as the European Union. It dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams, while 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year. Even washing clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.

The Quantis International 2018 report found that the three main drivers of the industry's global pollution impacts are dyeing and finishing (36%), yarn preparation (28%) and fibre production (15%). The report also established that fibre production has the largest impact on freshwater withdrawal (water diverted or withdrawn from a surface water or groundwater source) and ecosystem quality due to cotton cultivation, while the dyeing and finishing, yarn preparation and fibre production stages have the highest impacts on resource depletion, due to the energy-intensive processes based on fossil fuel energy.

According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emissions from textile manufacturing alone are projected to skyrocket by 60% by 2030.

The time it takes for a product to go through the supply chain, from design to purchase, is called a ' lead time '. In 2012, Zara was able to design, produce and deliver a new garment in two weeks; Forever 21 in six weeks and H&M in eight weeks. This results in the fashion industry producing obscene amounts of waste.

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You Might Also Like: The 9 Essential Fast Fashion Statistics
Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact

1. Water

The environmental impact of fast fashion comprises the depletion of non-renewable sources, emission of greenhouse gases and the use of massive amounts of water and energy. The fashion industry is the second largest consumer industry of water, requiring about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2 000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. Business Insider also cautions that textile dyeing is the world's second-largest polluter of water, since the water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams or rivers.

2. Microplastics

Furthermore, brands use synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic which take hundreds of years to biodegrade. A 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics - tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic - in the ocean come from the laundering of synthetic textiles like polyester.

According to the documentary released in 2015, The True Cost, the world consumes around 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year, 400% more than the consumption twenty years ago. The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year. The production of leather requires large amounts of feed, land, water and fossil fuels to raise livestock, while the tanning process is among the most toxic in all of the fashion supply chain because the chemicals used to tan leather- including mineral salts, formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives and various oils and dyes- is not biodegradable and contaminates water sources.

3. Energy

The production of making plastic fibres into textiles is an energy-intensive process that requires large amounts of petroleum and releases volatile particulate matter and acids like hydrogen chloride. Additionally, cotton, which is in a large amount of fast fashion products, is also not environmentally friendly to manufacture. Pesticides deemed necessary for the growth of cotton presents health risks to farmers.

To counter this waste caused by fast fashion, more sustainable fabrics that can be used in clothing include wild silk, organic cotton, linen, hemp and lyocell.
You might Also Like: How to Recognise Fast Fashion Brands and Which Ones to Avoid
The Social Impacts of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion does not only have a huge environmental impact. In fact, the industry also poses societal problems, especially in developing economies. According to non-profit Remake, 80% of apparel is made by young women between the ages of 18 and 24. A 2018 US Department of Labor report found evidence of forced and child labour in the fashion industry in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam and others. Rapid production means that sales and profits supersede human welfare.

In 2013, an eight-floor factory building that housed several garment factories collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing 1,134 workers and injuring more than 2,500. In her project An Analysis of the Fast Fashion Industry, Annie Radner Linden suggests that 'the garment industry has always been a low-capital and labour intensive industry'.

In her book No Logo, Naomi Klein argues that developing nations are viable for garment industries due to 'cheap labour, vast tax breaks, and lenient laws and regulations'. According to The True Cost, one in six people work in some part of the global fashion industry, making it the most labour-dependent industry. These developing nations also rarely follow environmental regulations; China, for example, is a major producer of fast fashion but is notorious for land degradation and air and water pollution.
You might also like: The Danger of Sweatshops
Is Slow Fashion the Solution?

Slow fashion is the widespread reaction to fast fashion and its environmental impact, the argument for hitting the brakes on excessive production, overcomplicated supply chains, and mindless consumption. It advocates for manufacturing that respects people, the environment and animals.

The World Resources Institute suggests that companies need to design, test and invest in business models that reuse clothes and maximise their useful life. The UN has launched the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion to address the damages caused by fast fashion. It is seeking to 'halt the environmentally and socially destructive practices of fashion'.
You might also like: What Is Slow Fashion and How Can You Join the Movement?
One way that shoppers are reducing their consumption of fast fashion is by buying from secondhand sellers like ThredUp Inc. and Poshmark, both based in California, USA; shoppers send their unwanted clothes to these websites and people buy those clothes at a lower price than the original. Another solution is renting clothes, like the US-based Rent the Runway and Gwynnie Bee, the UK based Girl Meets Dress, and the Dutch firm Mud Jeans that leases organic jeans which can be kept, swapped or returned.

Other retailers like Adidas are experimenting with personalised gear to cut down on returns, increase customer satisfaction and reduce inventory. Ralph Lauren has announced that it will use 100% sustainably-sourced key materials by 2025.

Governments need to be more actively involved in the fashion industry's damaging effects. UK ministers rejected a report by members of parliament to address the environmental effects of fast fashion. On the other hand, French president, Emmanuel Macron has made a pact with 150 brands to make the fashion industry more sustainable.
Featured image by EO Photographer Chin Leong Teo
The best advice on reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion comes from Patsy Perry, senior lecturer in fashion marketing at the University of Manchester, who says, "Less is always more."

This story is funded by readers like you

Our non-profit newsroom provides climate coverage free of charge and advertising. Your one-off or monthly donations play a crucial role in supporting our operations, expanding our reach, and maintaining our editorial independence.

About EO | Mission Statement | Impact & Reach | Write for us

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Fast Fashion: Its Detrimental Effect on the Environment

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Fast fashion has a massive environmental impact, it is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/books/review/how-fast-fashion-is-destroying-the-planet.amp.

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How Fast Fashion Is Destroying the Planet (Published 2019)

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In “Fashionopolis,” Dana Thomas exposes the environmental, economic and humanitarian hazards of cheap clothing production.

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https://www.oceancleanwash.org/

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Fast fashion đã ảnh hưởng tới môi trường tự nhiên ra sao?

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https://www.textiletoday.com.bd/clothes-polluting-oceans/

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Textile News, Apparel News, RMG News, Fashion Trends

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Posted on April 22, 2018 3:26:03 pm Last updated at April 24, 2018 11:59:47 am

Think about all your clothing made of acrylic, nylon, and polyester. Yes, that means fleece, trousers, blouses, socks, and even your underwear. Did you know, every time you wash these synthetic fabrics, millions of microfibers are released into the water? Microfibers are too small to be filtered out by waste treatment plants, so they end up in our waterways and oceans, where they wreak havoc on marine animals and the environment.

However, could synthetic fibers be a wonderful thing as their production requires far less water than cotton and they do not require toxic pesticides to grow? D oes that make them environmentally friendly? Sadly not.

The expansion of fast fashion would not be possible without polyester. Relatively cheap and easily available polyester is now used in about 60% of our clothes. However, if we take into account the fossil fuels used in its production, CO2 emissions for polyester clothing are nearly three times higher than for cotton! Our reliance on polyester is one of the reasons why the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world; both in terms of its emissions-heavy production and the non-biodegrade addable waste it leaves behind.
One piece of clothing can release 700,000 fibers in a single wash
Once our clothes reach a washing machine, the synthetic fabrics release tiny strands: so-called microfibers. These are essentially microscopic pieces of plastic, just like the microbeads you find in cosmetics.

Every time you run your washing machine, hundreds of thousands of microfibers are flushed down the drain. And a good portion of it reaches beaches and oceans where they can remain for hundreds of years.

Swallowed by fish and other sea life, microplastic travels up the food chain, where they end up on our plates.
30% of ocean plastic pollution comes from microplastics

According to a new IUCN report, microplastics could be causing even more of a problem than we thought. Between 15% to 31% of marine plastic pollution could be from tiny particles released by household and industrial products, rather than larger plastic items that degrade once they reach the sea.

The IUCN calculates that 35% of this microplastic pollution comes from washing synthetic textiles. Europe and Central Asia alone dump the equivalent of 54 plastic bags worth of microplastics per person per week into the oceans.

So what can we do?
It is unrealistic to think that we can get rid of synthetic fibers altogether. Their use is too widespread and the sheer volume of clothing that we produce simply cannot be manufactured using only cotton and other natural fibers. And while the manufacturing industry is developing solutions; like more efficient filters for washing machines, they don't yet tackle the problem.

We need to radically rethink the way we manufacture and products what we wear. Clothes should be produced without polluting the environment. These should be designed with durability in mind so that these can be recycled only after many years of use. As consumers, we have a big part to play in preventing microfibers from polluting the oceans, simply by buying less. If we reduce consumption, we reduce waste. It starts with being more conscious of the issue, and the rest should be simple.

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Posted on April 22, 2018 3:26:03 pm Last updated at April 24, 2018 11:59:47 am Think about all your clothing made of acrylic, nylon, and polyester. Yes, that means fleece, trousers, blouses, socks, and even your underwear. Did you know, every time you wash these synthetic fabrics, millions of microfibers are released into the water?

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https://www.myriadcircular.com/blog/fashions-impact-on-the-ocean

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So, how do we protect our oceans?

Industries and individuals can make important changes to reduce these impacts and give our ocean a chance to reverse the damage we have done.

Low impact fashion, championed by Myriad, is exactly the kind of approach needed. The use of monomaterial and remanufactured materials greatly reduces the need to produce raw materials, removing the associated impacts of CO2 production and pollution. The use of renewable energy to produce these items further reduces their carbon footprint. The circular economy principle applied here also slows the pace at which the remains of these products end up in our ocean.

There is always something you can do to continue to reduce your impact. Practice responsible washing. Ask yourself if an item really needs washing before chucking it into your laundry and use a washing bag, Cora Ball or microfibre gatherer. This will both reduce the release of microfibres from your clothes and the CO2 released by excessively running a washing machine. You can also make your clothes last, limiting your need to purchase new items.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, recycle items once you really are done with them - Myriad's clothes can be sent back and repurposed, which is great.

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Industries and individuals can make important changes to reduce these impacts and give our ocean a chance to reverse the damage we have done. Low impact fashion, championed by Myriad, is exactly the kind of approach needed. The use of monomaterial and remanufactured materials greatly reduces the need to produce raw materials, removing the associated impacts of CO2 production and pollution.

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https://www.commonobjective.co/article/microfibres-what-to-know-and-do-beatplasticpollution

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Fibres & Fabrics

The fashion industry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution of the ocean. What do you need to know and what can you do about it?

Over a third (35 percent) of all microplastics released into the world's oceans are from synthetic textiles. ¹

Between half million and a million tons of plastic microfibres are discharged into wastewater each year from the washing of synthetic clothes. ²

Polyester, the major synthetic fibre, now commands a 62 percent market share and sheds on average six times more microplastic fibres than nylon. ³

Source: Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report 2021

Microplastics are pla...

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The fashion industry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution of the ocean. What do you need to know and what can you do about it?

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https://www.intelligentliving.co/fast-fashion-is-polluting-the-oceans-with-microfibers/

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Fast Fashion is the term used by retailers for fashion trends that move quickly from the runway, to the store, to the consumer, then to the trash in less than a year. Now, scientists from the U.K. are using London Fashion Week as a platform to highlight the less commonly known source of marine pollution: microplastics from the fibers of clothing.

The plastic fibers that come off the clothing are known as ' microfibers.' These bits are less than five mm. in length and are frequently found in fast Fashion, along with fabrics such as acrylic and polyester. "Well, it can be quite surprising to know that a majority of the clothes that we wear and that we buy are made out of plastic," commented Imogen Napper, a researcher at the University of Plymouth.

The researchers investigated what happens when different textiles are washed and they measured their breakdown and release into water systems. They found that for only one clothes wash, up to 700,000 fibers could come off your clothes and potentially travel to the sea.

According to the UN, the fashion industry contributes about 10% of carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater worldwide. Ocean Wise, a marine conservation organization, estimated in October 2019, that U.S. and Canadian households release over 870 tons of plastic microfibers into the ocean every year from laundry alone. Eight hundred seventy tons is the equivalent weight of ten massive blue whales, which is the largest species of whale that exists.

Furthermore, research has found that microfibers are accumulating in the food chain because they are a part of the overall microplastic pollution. "With the microplastics, with the smaller pieces, we know from laboratory studies that there's the potential for those small pieces to cause harm," said Richard Thompson, a marine biologist.

Ocean Wise's report raises concerns about marine life mistaking microplastics and microfibers for food because that can work their way up through the food chain, potentially causing harm to human consumers.

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'Fast Fashion' Is Polluting The Oceans With Microfibers

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Fast Fashion is the term used by retailers for fashion trends that move quickly from the runway, to the store, to the consumer, then to the trash in less than a year. Now, scientists from the U.K. are using London Fashion Week as a platform to highlight the less commonly known source of marine pollution: microplastics from the fibers of clothing.

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33_Hải Nhi
https://www.fashionrevolution.org/whats-in-our-clothes-and-how-does-it-affect-the-oceans/

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What’s In Our Clothes and How Does it Affect the Oceans? - Fashion Revolution

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Plastic is designed to last forever, but we are using it to design products, including clothing and its related packaging, that are only used once. Around two thirds of our clothes are made from synthetic fibres, such as polyester, acrylic and nylon, which are all plastics. The process of turning fo…

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https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10

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The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet.

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The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water and the second-largest polluter of water. Here’s why.

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https://www.fashionandthefree.com/fashion-impact-oceans

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Fashion's Impact on our Oceans - Fashion and the Free

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In honor of UN World Oceans Day, this article looks at how fashion and clothing pollutes the oceans, and some small changes we can make as consumers, fashion industry professionals and as retailers to have a positive impact.

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https://www.oceancleanwash.org/

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Fast Fashion Speeding Toward Ocean Pollution

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Fashion & Environment — SustainYourStyle

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Cheap clothing is an affordable option for our pocket. But what is the real cost of that? Learn more about the impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment 🌏.

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https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10

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The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet.

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The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water and the second-largest polluter of water. Here’s why.

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18_ Nguyễn Ngọc Yến Loan