In other sections we have discussed the problems caused by micro plastic fibres from synthetic clothing, here we give you a few simple ideas to help you reduce your personal imprint.
Take a look at your buying habits – if you really need to make a fashion statement make sure the item is made from natural materials such as cotton or wool.
Try the following actions, they all result in the release of less fibres:
- Wash clothes at lower temperatures
- Look for less aggressive detergents
- Hang dry rather than using a tumble dryer it is less aggressive on your clothes
- If you can, install a water softener
If you want to extend your actions:
- Explain the issue to family and friends
- Encourage friends and family to buy less clothes made of plastic
- Use social media to spread the word
- Help educate students studying textile design and fashion
- Encourage schools to discuss synthetic clothing and micro-plastic fibres
- Ask councils to become actively involved in educating the general public
- Press the government for legislation on all aspects of clothing for new material development and coatings to reduce fibre shedding
- Work with water companies to investigate viable options to remove fibres at a mass level for the future
- Press the government to set aside funding to research the problem and develop solutions
There is a growing community of people and organisations all over the world who are working to decrease plastic use and pollution and create tangible change at all levels – personal, local, regional, national and global. Join the ever increasing number of people who are getting involved, here are a few organisations specifically taking action to reduce plastic:
- Beat The Microbead (An international campaign against microplastic ingredients in cosmetics).
- Marine Conservation Society (Scientists, campaigners, volunteers, advocates, data experts, fundraisers, divers and researchers are all passionate about creating a sustainable future for our seas. Go on a beach clean with them!).
- Plastic Oceans (Working to change the way we deal with plastic waste by challenging society’s perception that this indestructible substance can be treated as ‘disposable’).
- Life Without Plastic (A one-stop shop for safe, high quality, ethically-sourced, Earth-friendly alternatives to plastic products.
- Sealife Trust (A charity working globally to protect the world’s oceans and the amazing marine life that lives within them).
- EcoWatch (A leading environmental news site engaging millions of concerned individuals every month).
- Plastic Pollution Coalition (A growing global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways and oceans, and the environment).
- Less Plastic (Raising awareness of the problems of plastic pollution, and offer reusable alternatives to disposable products to reduce the flow of plastic litter making its way into landfills and oceans).