Around 81 per cent respondents to a poll commissioned by A Plastic Planet have urged the British government to make it mandatory for brands to introduce labels indicating the presence of plastic in their clothing and accessories. As per Innovation in Textiles, the poll revealed 72 per cent were unaware of the amount of plastic used to make clothing, while two thirds were not aware of fashion’s impact on plastic pollution.

More than a third of all microplastics released into the ocean are estimated to derive from synthetic fibers, says the survey. Laundry alone causes half a million tonne of these microfibers to be released into the seas every year – the equivalent of three billion polyester shirts. Some 70 million barrels of oil are used each year to make polyester, with its production releasing up to three times more carbon than natural materials.

The survey is a part of the Plastic Planet’s newly launched Plastic Free Fashion campaign – a movement designed to curb the industry’s contribution to plastic pollution. The organization’s new open source plastic-free materials innovation freenhouse hub brings together innovators in textiles and sustainability with the fashion industry aiming to accelerate solutions.

With the majority of Britons unaware of fashion’s contribution to plastic pollution, the open letter accompanying the poll urges the UK government to implement a labeling system similar to that being rolled out under EU legislation which shows where hidden plastic is present in certain single-use items.