Our Mission to promote Natural Fibres

In landfill, textiles can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful greenhouse gases and pollutants into the environment.

The decomposition time of fabrics in landfill also varies depending on the type of fabric. Natural fibres, such as cotton, linen, and wool, decompose more quickly than synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. In general, natural fibres can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to decompose, while synthetic fibres can take hundreds of years.
The adjacent table compares the decomposing time of some common fabrics in landfill:

The long decomposing time of textiles in landfill is a major environmental problem. As textiles decompose, they release harmful greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide. These gases contribute to climate change and air pollution. Textiles can also leach harmful chemicals and dyes into the groundwater and soil.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the environmental impact of textiles. One is to buy clothes that are made from natural fibres. Another is to donate or recycle old clothes instead of throwing them away. Finally, it is important to care for clothes properly so that they last longer.

Polyester is a common synthetic fibre used in clothing, carpets, and other textiles. It is made from petroleum, and it does not biodegrade. When polyester is washed, it releases tiny plastic fibres called microfibres. These microfibres can end up in our oceans, where they can harm marine life.

A study by Napper and Thompson (2016) found that polyester fleece jackets release an average of 1.7 grams of microfibres per wash. This means that a single jacket could release up to 170 grams of microfibres over its lifetime. Other studies have found that other types of polyester clothing, such as tracksuits and T-shirts, also release microfibres when washed.

Microfibres are a major source of microplastic pollution in our oceans. Microplastics are plastic particles that are less than 5 mm in size. They can be ingested by marine life, and they can accumulate in their bodies. Microplastics can also interfere with the reproduction and development of marine animals.

Polyester clothing is rarely recycled and most often goes into landfill which can take hundreds of years to decompose.

There are several things that can be done to reduce the amount of microfibres that end up in our oceans. One is to wash clothes less often. Another is to use a washing machine filter that can trap microfibres. You can also choose to buy clothes that are made from natural fibres, such as cotton, silk or wool which are biodegradable.

It is important to be aware of the impact that polyester fibres can have on our oceans. By taking steps to reduce the amount of microfibres that we release, we can help to protect marine life and our environment.

The Environmental Crisis Caused by Textile Waste: https://www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/textile-waste-environmental-crisis

How Long Does it Take to Decompose?: https://twinenviro.com/2019/10/11/how-long-does-it-take-to-decompose/

The Biodegradability of Individual Fabrics: https://www.close-the-loop.be/en/phase/3/end-of-life

Biodegradability of Cotton: https://cottonworks.com/en/topics/sustainability/cotton-sustainability/biodegradability-of-cotton/

The Guardian: How your clothes are poisoning our oceans and food supply: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/20/microfibres-plastic-pollution-oceans-patagonia-synthetic-clothes-microbeads

Ecocult: Why, Exactly, Is Polyester So Bad for the Environment?: https://ecocult.com/exactly-polyester-bad-environment/

Common Objective: Fashion & Microplastics: https://www.commonobjective.co/article/microfibres-what-to-know-and-do-beatplasticpollution