The rise of fast fashion and the boom of the sportswear trend have led to the production of an incredible number of synthetic garments.
These fabrics, practical and quick to wear, guarantee high performance for those who use them for physical activity and offer economical options to enrich the seasonal wardrobe with trendy proposals in line with the most popular colors.
However, not everyone knows that it is precisely synthetic garments that are responsible for much of the pollution of the seas. Due to washing in the washing machine, they release microplastics harmful to the environment.
Synthetic garments and sea pollution
In recent years, two different trends have emerged in the fashion world. The first, that of fast fashion, has led to the production of “mass” clothing, lowering quality and focusing entirely on synthetic garments.
The other, helped by two years of lockdowns and the growing attention to physical activity, has allowed the spread of the sporty chic style. Tracksuits and sportswear are now worn daily even in contexts that are not strictly sporty. The result of these two phenomena? The production of synthetic garments has grown exponentially, negatively impacting sea pollution.
Firstly, the amount of textile waste has increased: clothes are thrown away more frequently and end up feeding landfills or dispersing into the environment. Secondly, the numerous washing machine cycles of synthetic garments release microplastics into the wastewater that ends up directly in the sea.
Summer and sea pollution from synthetic garments
With the arrival of summer, sea pollution is also put at risk by the daily use of swimsuits. The continuous washing of synthetic fabrics releases microplastics into the waters. For this reason, given the trend towards sustainability, several companies, including Made in Italy, have started producing swimsuits with plant fibers such as Eucalyptus.
This material grows very quickly and is cultivated in forest plantations where human intervention is indispensable, so its growth occurs without the use of water and pesticides. From 6m² of land, 10 t-shirts in eucalyptus fiber are obtained compared to 1 in cotton.
How to optimize washing machine cycles and reduce microplastics
According to studies by Plymouth University, thousands of microfibers are released from synthetic garments during the washing cycle. Polyester and acrylics, for example, release up to 700,000 microparticles per wash, of which 40% manage to pass through filtration plants and are dispersed into the environment. To reduce the impact of microplastics, here are some suggestions:
- Low temperature washing: Reduce the water temperature during washes to limit microfiber release.
- Use washing machine bags: Put synthetic garments in special bags to capture microplastics.
- Fabric choice: Opt for garments with natural yarns
Eco washing of garments and choice of natural yarns
Although not completely free from the problem, natural yarns, according to studies published and referenced in this article, seem to be the most sustainable choice today to avoid contributing to the proliferation of microplastics in the environment.
The Men’s Collection and the Lanaioli Women’s Collection are made only in pure Cashmere, Merino Wool, and Silk and with regenerated yarns, with the aim of contributing to more sustainable fashion, even during garment washing.
In conclusion, we can do our part to reduce marine pollution caused by synthetic garments by adopting more sustainable and conscious practices both when purchasing garments made with natural yarns and during washing machine cycles. 🌊🌿
