Fabric policy

 

We like sustainably sourced natural fibers

We are a fervent defender of natural fibres. We like cotton, wool, linen and silk. Mainly because microplastics pollution scares us. Those tiny bits of plastics released mainly from clothes made with polyester, nylon and acrylic when they are washed or worn.

Let’s fight microplastics

Studies have estimated that a single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of microplastics fibers, which can then enter wastewater treatment plants and ultimately end up in the ocean.

Once in the environment, microplastics fibres can be ingested by marine animals and enter the food chain. The health impacts of microplastics on animals and humans are not yet fully understood, but studies have suggested that they could have negative impacts on the digestive systems of marine animals and potentially affect human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood.

To address this issue we prefer to design not only clothes that last longer and offer to repair them for you, but also, if we are making new ones we develop them with natural fibres that shed fewer fibres into the ocean.

Another approach is to use recycled textiles which can limits in a way the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or the environment, but is not our preferred solution. We will use recycled fabrics when it is absolutely necessary, like in swimwear and some waterproof products.

If you are scared (just like us) of microplastics, you can search for washing machines that developed filters to capture those microplastics released during the washing process or use a laundry bag that captures them as well.

1. Environmental impact: Microplastics from clothing contribute to the global problem of plastic pollution, which has serious environmental consequences. They can harm marine life, accumulate in the food chain, and damage ecosystems.
2. Health impact: While the health impacts of microplastics on humans are still being researched, it is believed that the ingestion of microplastics could have negative effects on human health. This is particularly concerning for those who consume seafood, which can become contaminated with microplastics.
3. Source of microplastics: Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic are the main sources of microplastics in clothing.

Further readings:

• Environmental Science & Technology in 2016 estimated that synthetic clothing could be responsible for up to 35% of microplastic pollution in the ocean. The study found that a single garment could release more than 1,900 fibers per wash.
• The European Commission's Joint Research Centre published a report in 2019 that reviewed the available evidence on microplastic pollution from textiles. The report found that synthetic fibers were a major source of microplastic pollution in the environment and that reducing the release of microfibers from textiles was an important step in addressing the problem.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published a report in 2017 on microplastics in the marine environment. The report highlighted the contribution of microfibers from textiles to microplastic pollution in the oceans and called for measures to reduce their release.
• A study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin in 2021 investigated the effectiveness of different laundry methods in reducing microfiber release from clothing. The study found that using a laundry bag designed to capture microfibers was effective in reducing their release.