The recent study conducted by Changing Markets focused on examining the extent of microplastic pollution in clothing from five major brands in the fashion industry. The brands included in the study were Adidas, H&M, Nike, Shein, and Zara, with a range of garments such as t-shirts, tops, dresses, and shorts being tested.
According to the findings of the study, Nike polyester clothing was identified as the most polluting, both in terms of virgin and recycled fabric. The research revealed that Nike’s recycled polyester garments shed over 30,000 fibers per gram of sample clothing on average, which was nearly four times higher than H&M’s average and over seven times higher than Zara’s average. Additionally, Shein’s recycled polyester clothing was found to shed microplastics at a similar rate to its virgin polyester clothing.
The study also shed light on the issue of overproduction within the fashion industry, particularly in the case of recycled polyester. Environmentalists have raised concerns that the fashion industry’s focus on recycled polyester may be more of a greenwashing tactic, as the recycling systems are only able to process around two percent of all recycled polyester. This has led to a situation where the demand for virgin polyester continues to grow rapidly, resulting in a decrease in the share of recycled polyester being used.
In response to the study’s findings, a spokesperson for Puma stated that their shedding test results showed no consistent difference in microfiber shedding between 100 percent recycled polyester and 100 percent virgin polyester fabrics. Similarly, H&M emphasized the need for addressing microfibers at various stages throughout the value chain, including design, production, use, and end-of-life.
The study marks the first of its kind to compare brands for microplastic pollution in clothing, providing valuable insights into the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics used by major fashion brands. In light of these findings, it is crucial for stakeholders in the fashion industry to collaborate and find effective solutions to address the issue of microplastic pollution.
For more information on the study’s findings, The Ecologist has reached out to Adidas and Patagonia for further comment.
This article was rewritten by Brendan Montague, an editor at The Ecologist, to provide a comprehensive overview of the study’s results and implications for the fashion industry.
