Upcycled plastic fashion trend
Many fashion brands are now using plastic water bottles or other upcycled plastic sources for their clothing. If you’re thinking, ‘Great! There’s a more responsible option.’ I’m sorry to burst your bubble. Clothing made from any kind of plastic do more harm for the environment than good.
How does it do more harm than good?
When plastic-based clothes are washed, the microfibers in the ‘fabric’ break down into even smaller plastics that are even harder to filter and collect. Therefore, these microfibers end up in our waterways and become one of the biggest threats to ocean health. Marine life ends up ingesting these microfibers and many of them aren’t able to eject or pass these microfibers through their system so they get sick and even die. For those who consume seafood you better bet that these microfibers make their way back into your life…inside of you.
The choice is yours
Companies that are using upcycled plastic for their clothing either do not fully understand this process or they are taking full advantage of the trend. I’d like to think the former. Either way, this is a good reminder to fully vet the companies and their products. Do your research and choose to support companies that embrace environmental practices at all levels.
And remember, buying secondhand clothing made from natural fibers is probably the best option in terms of low waste, low carbon footprint.