Microplastics news and archive

How (not) sustainable is the fashion industry?

Fashion and 'sustainability' don't actually go together. A garment is usually made in such a way that it quickly goes out of fashion. In the fashion industry there is not only stylistic obsolescence, but also technical obsolescence. Some clothing is of such low quality that it tears, pills or loses its colour after a few wears and washes. Ideal...

What the fashion industry has to do with microplastics pollution (and everything you need to know about EU initiatives to tackle microplastics)

The European Commission has microplastics on its agenda. But what initiatives are there to tackle the release of microplastics and what measures are being put in place to reduce the impact of microplastics on the environment? FashionUnited lists them. As always, we start at the beginning: with what microplastics are, why there are concerns about...

Business

Inditex and Jeanologia develop Air Fiber Washer to reduce microfibre shedding

Spanish fashion retailer Inditex and Spanish finishing specialist for sustainable clothing Jeanologia have developed the first industrial air system designed to extract microfibers during garment manufacturing and thus reduce subsequent shedding in domestic laundering. Called the ‘Air Fiber Washer,’ the new system extracts up to 60 percent of...

Fashion Featured

European Commission urged to deal with microplastics from synthetic textiles

The EU is being urged to tackle microplastics as part of its strategy for a Circular Economy Action Plan, which was published in March 2022. Members of the European Commission have been given a whitepaper authored by a group of NGO’s, scientists, and solution providers, which calls to action for the EU to mandate filters in washing machines as...

Fashion Featured

Patagonia and Samsung developed a washing machine that reduces microplastics

Patagonia and Samsung have partnered to combat the microplastics that result from textiles and laundry. Microplastics as a result of clothes washing has to date not received the same awareness campaign compared to other sustainability efforts, such as water-saving technologies. When synthetic textiles are washed, microplastics from garments...

BusinessFeatured

Greenpeace expedition finds microplastics in remote Antarctic waters

Water and snow samples collected in a recent Greenpeace expedition to the Antarctic have revealed the presence of microplastics and persistent chemicals. Their findings confirm that plastic can be found even in the most remote areas of the planet. The extensive use of polyester in the fashion industry is partially to blame for the problem:...

BusinessFeatured

Good on You, Flocus & Planet Care: 3 Sustainable startups reshaping the fashion industry

The fashion industry needs a diverse range of sustainable solutions to tackle the numerous issues it faces concerning environmental damage, human rights and shifting to a circular business model. This is where the Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator Programme comes in. The accelerator programme provides mentoring and support for selected...