Where Are Plastics Found in Fashion

Need help finding a supplier or getting connected directly at the farm level? Contact Simply Suzette here.

Fabric production and material processing is a step in the life cycle of a garment that consumes a significant amount of energy. In this stage, the raw material described above is turned into a fabric. For synthetic fibres, this means turning it into a yarn, and then either weaving or knitting it. A lot of fibres can also be made into non-wovens, or in the case of leathers, this step is completely different.

Vertically integrated facilities will generally blend their pre-consumer and post-industrial waste into their products at this stage too and like we learned in the raw materials stage, we want to continue to increase the amount of recycled fibres in our clothes :) But let's keep them microplastic free.

Plastics are also used in various components and embellishments in clothing. From zippers and buttons made of plastic to waterproof coatings and laminates applied to fabrics, plastics contribute to the functionality and aesthetic appeal of garments.

Water-resistant jackets often feature coatings or membranes composed of polyurethane or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon, to repel moisture and enhance weather protection. Even in seemingly natural fabrics like cotton or wool, plastic elements can be present in the form of dyes, finishes, or reinforcements, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastics in modern textile manufacturing.

NOW WE GO INTO THE STEPS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN →

If you have never thought about the difference between natural materials and fossil based fibres, take a moment to look in your wardrobe and check some labels for nylon, polyester and acrylic. How many of your clothes don’t contain even 2% plastic? Very few, right?

Clothes – especially fast fashion – are made of these cheap synthetic fibres. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex are some of the primary synthetic fibres derived from plastic polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide.

These fibres were introduced in fabric design for their strength, elasticity, and resistance to wrinkles, making them ideal for a wide range of apparel, from athletic wear to everyday garments. At the time, it wasn’t known that microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in size, would become a huge concern for human and ecosystem health. Microplastics can shed from synthetic fabrics during washing and wear, finding their way into the environment and even into our bodies through ingestion or inhalation.

NOW WE GO INTO THE STEPS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN →

You might be familiar with the packaging used in stores or in your online deliveries. This is widely added to provide product presentation and brand identity, however, there is so much more plastic packaging used in supply chains that you will never see.

Plastic packaging is widely used from the initial stages of manufacturing to the final delivery to consumers as a protective barrier for garments during transportation and storage. Garments and accessories are often individually wrapped in plastic sleeves or bags to prevent damage during transit, ensuring that they arrive at their destination in pristine condition. Each manufacturer tends to discard this and use new packaging to ship things to the following subcontractor.

Plastic packaging is also utilised for bulk shipping of items often bundled together and encased in plastic shrink wrap or polyethylene bags to facilitate handling and logistics processes.

The waste generated from supply chain packaging is rarely quantified, and we have never seen it included in any LCA.

On top of this, plastic tags and labels are added to present the final garments in store on (usually) plastic hangers, or for your neatly wrapped e-commerce purchases.