It’s a Friday morning. You have an event that evening—a concert, let’s say—but when you sift through your overflowing wardrobe for your Instagram-perfect outfit, it just isn’t there. Naturally, you venture over to the nearest mall to search for that eye-catching showstopper at the lowest price. After some time, and perhaps a bit of luck, there it is: hanging on the nearby rack like a treasure left just for you.
However, more than likely, that same ravishing piece with a $29.99 (or so) price tag was made from synthetic fibers. These materials—think polyester or nylon—are the same ones flooding our water systems with thousands, or even millions, of microfibers after each run through the washing machine. It would be an understatement to say that the piece's “eye-catching” beauty is deceiving.
Synthetic fibers begin their life cycle with nonrenewable resources such as petroleum or natural gas. These resources are broken down into smaller components, then refined through a multi-step process into what we may call polyester, nylon, acrylic, or another variation. The fibers can then be turned into clothes. Large-scale manufacturing of synthetic fibers enables a highly inexpensive and efficient production process, ultimately driving the fast fashion industry, where the constant distribution of materials allows for cheap, trendy clothing.
However, research has pointed to the significant environmental impact of synthetic clothing. When you throw these materials in the wash, they shed microfibers (a type of microplastic less than five millimeters in length) into the laundry wastewater. These microfibers don’t biodegrade in water, but will fragment into even smaller particles that enter the environment. In fact, just one washing cycle could release tens of thousands, or even over a million, microfibers. Think about all the times you wash your clothes, and think about everyone else who does the same; that adds up frighteningly quickly.
As these microfibers infiltrate water systems, they ultimately enter oceans and other large bodies of water. Aquatic organisms have nowhere to escape to; instead, they are forced to ingest these particles. Shrimp, fish, and other creatures now have plastic in their digestive systems, tissues, and bloodstream. And what happens to many of these animals? They’re eaten by humans. Now, the microfibers shed from the clothing we wear have found their way into our bodies. Some studies have even suggested that microfibers may cause inflammation, cellular damage, and respiratory illnesses in humans. Giving in to the fast fashion industry is not only harming the environment but may also be harming your health, your family’s health, and your friends’ health.
So, the next time you step foot into a clothing store or a mall, don’t forget the inevitable consequences of your actions. Despite how easy it would be to buy something from the cheapest brand, cheap doesn’t always mean better. Cheap can be dangerous.
However, many (if not most) of you are probably not looking to buy $80+ jeans from high-end brands, and you shouldn’t have to. Second-hand shopping, such as thrifting, is an excellent way to find sustainable clothing without the daunting price tag. Thrifting also helps prevent clothes from ending up in landfills by giving them new homes. You can pull up Google or your browser of choice and search for “thrift stores near me”; there’s a good chance you’ll find some nice ones a convenient distance away where that same pair of $80 jeans might be hanging on the shelf for under $10.
When at the store—thrift store or not—be cognizant of the materials that attract you. Companies in the United States are required to disclose their use of synthetic fibers, so use this to your advantage: check the tag. If it says polyester, nylon, or acrylic, consider moving on. If it says something you’ve never heard of before, do some research to decide if it’s safe. If you do end up buying synthetic clothing, try to avoid washing it frequently and consider purchasing a microfiber-catching laundry bag to help trap most of the microfibers before they enter the water.
When we, together, move away from fast fashion and toward second-hand or sustainable shopping, we will collectively make way toward a greener future. A future where clothing doesn’t have to burden the environment. And a future where our universal language and love of fashion won’t be hiding a cycle of health deterioration.
And always remember: even if you are the only one who decides to take a stance against synthetic clothing, that may still mean millions fewer microfibers in our water.
The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Saving the Sea Organization. This piece was written as part of the Emergent Fellows Program, our summer fellowship in environmental policy and advocacy.