The Issues of Micro plastics

Influence of second-hand apparel exports on the location of synthetic apparel plastic leakage from EU28 high and low-income countries, U.S., and Japan. Nature Communications

The growing presence of microplastics and plastic leakage, driven by the global apparel industry’s heavy reliance on synthetic materials, has become a major concern. This issue results in a knock-on effect on environmental degradation, including climate change, threats to aquatic life, and risks to human health. The rise of fast fashion has further exacerbated the problem. According to Nature communications, synthetic clothing generates approximately 7.4 million metric tons of plastic pollution annually. When these garments reach the end of their lifecycle, they degrade into macroplastic waste, significantly contributing to plastic leakage into ecosystems. Jessie Daystar, Vice president and Chief sustainability officer at Cotton Incorporated, highlights that synthetic garments release at least ten times more plastic than cotton clothing. Notably, 14% of total plastic leakages originates from the apparel industry, which equates to 8.3 million metric tons released each year. To address these issues, strategies such as designing with natural fibres like cotton and promoting the 5Rs- Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose can be implemented.

Credit by Cotton Incorporated and Nature Communications

#Microplastics #Syntheticmaterials #Sustainability

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