Microplastics and Fashion: What You Need to Know

When we think about pollution, we often picture plastic bottles floating in oceans or bags tangled in trees. But there’s another form of plastic pollution that is smaller, harder to see, and increasingly found in everything including the clothes we wear.

These tiny fragments are called microplastics. And surprisingly, the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors.

What Are Microplastics

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres. They come from a wide range of sources, including larger plastic items that break down over time and synthetic materials that shed during use.

You’ll find microplastics in personal care products, packaging, cleaning supplies and yes, even in textiles. In fact, one of the most overlooked sources of microplastic pollution is the very fabric that makes up much of our clothing.

How Clothes Release Microplastics

Most of today’s fast fashion is made from synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These fibres are cheap to produce and easy to mass-manufacture, which is why they’re found in everything from gym wear to blouses to socks.

But every time we wash these clothes, they shed tiny fibres into the water. These fibres are so small that they pass through most household and city filtration systems and end up in rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean.

A single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of microfibres.

These fibres do not break down. Instead, they build up in waterways, marine life, and even in the air we breathe and the food we eat.

The Impact of Microplastics on the Environment

Microplastics have now been found on the highest mountains and the deepest ocean floors. They are present in drinking water, table salt, and even rain.

In the ocean, microplastics are ingested by fish and other marine animals, leading to internal damage, hormone disruption, and, in some cases, death. These particles then travel up the food chain all the way to human consumption.

Because plastic is not biodegradable, these fibres remain in the environment for hundreds of years, silently accumulating with every wash and wear.

The Human Health Angle

Research is still evolving, but early findings suggest that microplastics may impact human health in more ways than we expected.

They have been detected in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. Scientists are currently studying how these particles affect our bodies over time, but the concern is clear: microplastics are not just an environmental issue. They are a public health concern too.

What Can We Do

The good news is that we are not powerless. While it’s hard to eliminate microplastic pollution entirely, we can make small shifts that reduce its spread especially when it comes to our clothes.

Here are a few thoughtful changes that make a real difference:

1. Choose Natural Fibres

Opt for clothing made from natural materials like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool. These fibres come from plants or animals and break down more easily in the environment.

Look for labels that mention organic or low impact production where possible.

2. Wash Clothes Less Often

Many garments especially outerwear or clothes worn for short periods do not need to be washed after every use. Washing less frequently reduces both water use and the number of microfibres released.

3. Use a Microfibre Filter or Bag

There are laundry bags and washing machine filters designed to catch microfibres before they reach the drain. Products like the Guppyfriend bag or external machine filters can significantly reduce what escapes into waterways.

4. Air Dry Instead of Machine Drying

Tumble dryers can cause more fibre shedding. Air drying is gentler on your clothes and helps reduce the release of microplastics.

5. Support Brands That Prioritise Natural Materials

When buying new clothing, support small batch or slow fashion brands that use recycled or plant based textiles. These choices add up, especially when they come with a story and a purpose.

Final Thoughts

The issue of microplastics in fashion is not about guilt. It is about awareness. Once we understand where these particles come from and how they move through our world, we are better equipped to make informed choices.

Fashion can be beautiful and expressive without being wasteful or harmful. By choosing natural fibres, washing consciously, and supporting better systems, we can keep both our wardrobes and our environment cleaner, lighter, and more alive.