The plastic in our clothing threatens our planet – what are the alternatives? Insiders acknowledge ‘no easy task’ in phasing synthetics out

Almost 60 per cent of all clothing material is plastic and little of it is recycled. Most ends up in landfills or shedding microplastics into the sea when washed

While synthetic fibres are more affordable than natural, industry insiders say we should look to the latter, which ‘feel better’ and are ‘kinder to the planet’

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Evidence suggests our continued plastic use – including the synthetic clothes we wear, wash and throw away – is causing a rise in global warming and biodiversity loss. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15am, 23 Feb 2024Updated: 4:59am, 23 Feb 2024

The debate on phasing out plastic from our wardrobes has been long-running and seemingly has no end.

Some internet users have recently argued that it is impossible to fully eliminate it from synthetic fibres, while others say that if a garment requires plastic to exist then it should not exist at all.

No matter how often a general consumer says no to plastic straws, disposable water bottles and plastic shopping bags, it is simply not enough to combat the rise of fast fashion and its harmful consequences. With that in mind, the current discourse around synthetic fibres and the microplastics they shed feels long overdue.

Evidence suggests our continued plastic use is causing a rise in global warming and biodiversity loss. According to environmental awareness website The Roundup, as much as 92 million tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year.

Only 20 per cent of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling globally, and almost 60 per cent of all clothing material is actually plastic.

Workers produce garments at a workshop in China. Photo: Getty Images

However, experts say naming and shaming those who own synthetic clothing is not the right course of action.