The oceans, our ecosystems, and our clothing are more connected than you realise.

As World Environment Day and World Oceans Day approach, we wanted to share more insight into the dangers of fashion waste in oceans; and how natural fabric clothing and eco-friendly fashion can make our planet a greener, healthier place.

The garments we invest in make a difference, and in a world with so much choice, we’re here to help you narrow down which ones can help you live more sustainably.

The facts: how fashion affects the ocean

With each year that passes, the fashion industry only grows larger, produces faster, and on larger scales—it’s inevitable in a world where brands are now trying to meet global demands. However, this has only led to the industry becoming one of the top polluters on the planet, and demonstrating to us that sustainable fashion should become the norm. At the moment though, in large part due to fast fashion...

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions.

The environmental effect: high emissions lead to rising global temperatures meaning an overall change in our planet’s ecosystem. This can mean liveable spaces becoming unliveable to its native plant or animal species (this includes us); and more cases of extreme weather occurring.

Regarding our oceans, this means rising sea temperatures, once again resulting in some habitats becoming unliveable; it also means ocean acidification occurring which greatly affects marine biodiversity.

The fashion industry dumps 85% of all textiles each year.

The environmental effect: textile waste is another ever growing issue, with the majority of it ending up in landfills, where they spend decades to decompose, all the while releasing harmful greenhouse gases and chemicals that get into our oceans, affecting plant and animal life.

So, with all this in mind, the solution is sustainable fashion, zero waste fashion, and an overall more conscious change in our buying habits.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Synthetic vs. natural

So, how can we individually do better?

Well, there is one major shift in our fashion choices that can do a world of good for our planet, especially our oceans, and that is: choose natural fabrics.

Most fabrics are either synthetic or natural, the difference being that synthetic fabrics (like polyester and nylon) are made from chemically created man-made fibres; while natural fabrics (like cotton and hemp) are made from plant and animal fibres.

What you should know about SYNTHETIC FABRICS?

Synthetic fibres are essentially plastics, it’s the reason why microplastics in fashion exist at all, and their use comes with a host of cons ranging from ocean pollution to fast fashion waste.

1.Washing a single synthetic garment releases approx. 700,000 microplastics into our environment, which “leads to the accumulation of more than half a million tonnes of microplastics on the bottom of the oceans every year.”

In a 2021 study that tested the presence of microplastics in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos, microplastic particles were found in 100% of the water samples and marine organisms, particles that will go on to affect the health of marine life as well as ours from consumption of seafood.

2.The chemicals found within synthetic fabrics can be absorbed and could cause skin irritation, hormonal disruption and respiratory issues. Depending on the fabric, the effects vary, but if we were to look at polyester, one of the most widely used fabrics, studies found this:

“Phytoestrogens are emitted by polyester which act as endocrine disrupters and also cause certain types of cancers. As the polyester fibre is a bad conductor of heat and sweat, it is responsible for acute skin rashes, redness, and itching. On wearing for a long time, it can cause acute and chronic respiratory infections. Polyester is also responsible for reproductive system disorders like reduced sperm counts.”

3.Synthetic fabrics are made from a non-renewable source, cannot biodegrade, and are notoriously difficult to recycle due to its chemical compositions so, there’s very little to be done once it’s run out of its use as a clothing item other than be thrown away. In landfills, it continues to leach chemicals that can enter our waterways and the oceans, further harming ocean life.

What you should know about NATURAL FABRICS?

Natural fibres on the other hand can create far more earth and ocean-friendly fashion. In fact, natural fabric clothing has far more potential to also create zero waste fashion because it can be utilised again more easily than synthetic options.

1.Natural fabrics are created from renewable sources, “built from relatively simple, biodegradable polymers”, meaning they break down quickly and cycle back into our environment without causing harm or pollution.

It basically means that they are far more resource efficient than a synthetic fabric and will also find a new life after it’s use as a clothing item, whether that’s through recycling or even being composted.

2.Natural fabrics are far safer to work with and to wear on the skin, especially for longtime use. This, of course, will depend on its method of process but if you invest in something like organic cotton clothing, there’s a guarantee no chemicals are used in the processing stages.

3.Natural fabric clothing also has many health benefits including being gentle on the skin.  

“Fibers such as cotton, linen, and hemp are more breathable than synthetic materials, allowing air to circulate and keeping you cool and comfortable. This breathability also helps to regulate body temperature and reduce the risk of skin irritation and textile dermatitis.”

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The better choice is yours

How fashion affects the ocean and our ecosystems is immense, and our collective choice to invest in more ocean-friendly fashion that’s natural and chemical-free can only make our communities, our environment, our animals and ourselves healthier.

So, we hope today you consider your clothing with more thought, find out what it’s made of, avoid fast fashion as much as you can, and also ask brands to craft better. The change can start with you!