Microplastic Pollution from Synthetic Fabrics

Every wash cycle of polyester clothing releases hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibers into waterways, making fashion a leading ocean pollutant—accounting for an estimated 35% of all primary microplastics. A 2025 study showed that a single fleece jacket can shed over 250,000 fibers per wash, and synthetic textiles now constitute 65% of the global fiber market. The industry’s increasing reliance on synthetics produces more contamination than the average of all other textile sources, with a per-garment impact 30% higher. This persistent pollution is more environmentally costly than #7's model health issues.