The hidden impact of what we wear
You’ve probably seen headlines about microplastics in the ocean, in seafood, even in our bodies. But here’s the part most people don’t know:
Every time we wash synthetic clothing—polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex—tiny plastic fibers, called microfibers, break off and flow into wastewater. They’re too small for most wastewater filtration systems, which means they frequently end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Research shows that laundering synthetic textiles is one of the most significant sources of primary microplastics entering marine environments, contributing an estimated 16–35% of global releases.
Source: European Environment Agency — Microplastics from textiles: towards a circular economy for textiles in Europe
Microfibers are now being found in fish, shellfish, sea salt, drinking water — and even in human tissues.
Source: NOAA Marine Debris Program — What We Know About Microfibers
How Synthetic Clothing Becomes Microplastic Pollution
When you wash a synthetic garment, friction inside the washing machine breaks tiny strands of fiber from the fabric — a process known as fiber shedding.
This happens every single wash, and the numbers add up quickly. A study by the University of Plymouth found that a single laundry load can release over 700,000 microfibers into wastewater.
Source: University of Plymouth press release - Washing clothes releases thousands of microplastic particles into environment, study shows
Wastewater studies show that while wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can remove a large portion of microplastics, many particles — especially small fibers — still pass through and enter waterways, or are concentrated in sludge and soil.
Source: ScienceDirect - A review of the removal of microplastics in global wastewater treatment plants
In a 2024 study of a textile-industry WWTP, researchers documented microplastic release at multiple treatment stages, underscoring that even modern plants may not fully contain synthetic-textile pollution.
That’s one washing machine multiplied by millions — and multiplied across years of wear and wash cycles.
The other side of the problem: landfilled clothing
Microplastics don’t just come from the wash cycle — they also break down as clothing waste decomposes.
Globally, the fashion industry generates around 92 million tons of textile waste each year, and much of it ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
Source: United Nations Environment Programme Press Release 27.03.25
In the United States, nearly 17 million tons of textile waste were generated in 2018, and only about 15% was recycled or reused. The remaining ~85% was either landfilled or incinerated. Around 85% of discarded clothing goes straight to landfill or incineration.
- The average person throws away about 81.5 pounds of textiles annually.
- Only about 15% is reused or recycled
Source: USGAO - Textile Waste
And when synthetic fibers degrade — they don’t biodegrade —
They fragment, creating more microplastics.
The solution is NOT “don’t wear clothes.”
Let’s be realistic — we’re not going to stop owning clothing.
But we can change what kind of clothing we own.
A lower-microplastic, lower-waste wardrobe starts with intentionally choosing:
- Organic cotton
- Recycled cotton
- Recycled natural fibers
- Upcycled textiles
…and avoiding petroleum-based fibers when possible.
Building a sustainable wardrobe (simple swaps)
Start with your most-washed basics
That means:
- T-shirts
- Base layers
- Hoodies
- Everyday wear
Switching these to natural fibers makes a huge difference.
These are the garments washed most frequently — and therefore shed the most.
This is why we designed our EcoJTees apparel with organic and recycled materials — starting with everyday essentials.
Wash smarter, waste less.
You can also reduce shedding without buying anything new.
Try this:
- Wash on gentle or lower-friction cycles.
- Use cold water
- Wash full loads
- Line dry when possible
- Use a microfiber-catching wash bag.
- Avoid fast-spin cycles when unnecessary.
Small changes = lighter footprint.
Buy fewer, better pieces.
Fast fashion tells us we need:
- More trends
- More variety
- More turnover
But sustainability tells us something different:
- Choose pieces you’ll wear at least 50–100 times
- Choose quality over novelty
- Choose timeless over trendy.
That’s exactly how we design EcoJTees products — as pieces meant to be worn for years, not for a season.
How EcoJTees fits into the solution
At EcoJTees, we create clothing that minimizes microplastic pollution and maximizes long-term wear by:
- Using organic and recycled materials
- Avoiding virgin synthetic fibers whenever possible
- Printing with lower-impact processes
- Designing long-lasting, comfort-forward basics
- Supporting responsible manufacturing partners
You can explore our organic and recycled tees and hoodies here:
👉 Shop EcoJTees
A simple action plan you can start this week
Make one small change:
- Replace one heavily washed synthetic garment with an organic or recycled one.
- Adopt one gentler laundry habit.
- Repair one garment instead of tossing it
It doesn’t take perfection.
It takes better choices over time.