Synthetic fibers from washed clothes are linked to ocean microplastics. About 35 per cent of microplastics released into the world’s oceans come from synthetic textiles. Three-fifths of all clothing is discarded within a year of being produced, either sent to landfill or incinerated.

The industry is rethinking the way clothes are manufactured, right down to the fibers that are used. The garment industry is one of many industries that have a threefold impact with emissions to air, water, and large amounts of waste produced for landfill and incineration. Water pollution and energy use from the fashion industry is significant. The industry’s emission of carbon dioxide is more than that of international flights and maritime shipping combined.

The industry is investing in new environmentally-friendly materials. Garments could be created so they don’t fall apart at the seams and so that they can be recycled after they have been worn for many years. Fabrics should be designed not to shed microfibers when washed and industry needs to look at how efficiencies can be made in the cutting process, which currently sees huge amounts of material discarded on factory floors each year.

To reduce a garment’s carbon footprint, people are encouraged to wash their clothes at a lower temperature, use mesh laundry bags to catch threads, use tumble dryers less often, and install filters on washing machine waste pipes.