https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 14:10:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401730 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 03:10:33 +0000 Jaime 1401730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sigh, unfortunately or anyway realistically, I think Jeanie is on the right track by focusing on ways of developing technologies to offset the impact of other technologies on the world. I just don't think the worldwide habit of clothing consumption is going to be stemmed, and I would tend to be more optimistic about a consumerist solution. (Adding a filter rather then expecting people to subtract their production and consumption of textiles.) Anyway, definitely well deserved&nbsp;kudos to Eileen Fisher. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401710 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:15:24 +0000 Gaylene 1401710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the article, Mander. It's important to know that our individual, seemingly benign, habits and choices can sometimes end up having disastrous cumulative effects. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401706 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:04:18 +0000 Staysfit 1401706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I wonder if the breathe tee from Athleta is cotton? &nbsp;I think it is? &nbsp;All my everyday clothes are primarily natural fibers, but my exercise clothes are not. &nbsp;I definitely wear exercise clothes 6 days a week, and wash them in one big load every week. &nbsp;I'm thinking that as I replace them, I will look for organic cotton replacements. &nbsp;I'm not running anymore, just yoga, pilates and walking, so I can go with wool and cotton.<br />Oh, just checked, organic cotton, nylon and spandex &nbsp;(That's my favorite top)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401703 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:56:54 +0000 Jeanie 1401703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for bringing this article to our attention. &nbsp;I would happily buy a filter for my washing machine if it would protect our water. &nbsp;Water health is #1. &nbsp;&nbsp;We have to think about what we <b>can</b> do and using a filter seems easy and hopefully washing machine manufacturers will start using these. &nbsp;This man is doing such amazing and important work. &nbsp;I am so glad he cares and didn't stop at the clothing manufacturers. &nbsp;We can find a solution if we try. &nbsp;I think there is a small movement to make performance wear from natural fibers and hopefully it will gain some momentum. &nbsp;I applaud Eileen Fisher for being responsible. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401592 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:28:03 +0000 Lyn D. 1401592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Mander!<br />I have been doing summaries and making plans for my 2015 purchases, and this article along with other ethical issues is making me think much harder about my future choices! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401589 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:26:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1401589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's really interesting. Runoff from washing machines is not something I'd thought about much, as far as ocean pollution goes. I wonder how quickly natural fibers degrade in the sewer system, and how much dyes affect the waste stream as well. I wonder if there's a better way to make synthetic thread and cloth so that it won't produce as much of the very small plastic pieces that those scientists are concerned about. </p> <p>There are some upsides to synthetic fibers as per durability and such, not to mention the synthetics that are made from recycled materials. And of course the growth of cotton is one of the biggest users of pesticides in the world, not to mention water. And the animals for animal fibers need feed and land to live on.</p> <p>Obviously it's something we're going to have to address, because the supply of petroleum isn't going to last for a lot longer at this rate of use. But I really wonder if we could even manage to clothe all the people in the world at this point using only natural fibers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401581 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:21:04 +0000 thimblelina 1401581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting! (As I travel to the snow with a knapsack full of performance wear...) A good reason to indulge in some EF; a good reason to skip Patagonia. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401567 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:53:55 +0000 Astrid 1401567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing! One more reason to buy more natural fibers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401563 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:39:52 +0000 Anonymous 1401563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely thought-provoking and depressing. Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401531 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:29:18 +0000 avicennia 1401531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for bringing this up. It's important to be mindful of the environmental impacts of our actions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401529 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:27:26 +0000 Echo 1401529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been aware of this for some time because of the industry I used to work in. I used to work in printing, and we all wore uniforms to work (blue, mostly synthetic fibers). The #1 contaminant of printing plates in the offset process (not so much for gravure) &nbsp;was teeny blue microfibers... from the uniforms. They didn't change the uniforms, though, at least during the years I was there.</p> <p>And much to my dismay, I generally prefer artificial fibers because they often shrink less, wash better, resist staining and keep their shape better than, say, cotton or wool. I will need to be more aware in the future.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401526 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:16:44 +0000 rachylou 1401526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I heard this recently. But I didn't think about the scope - I mean all the sources didn't occur to me. I have swung back and forth on natural and synthetic materials over the years for other reasons. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401512 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:50:58 +0000 Anonymous 1401512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That doesn't change what I choose to wear. I have extremely sensitive skin and can't always wear natural fibers. What it does do is make me mindful of wearing what I buy and not waste $ on stuff that rarely or never gets worn. Having a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched seems like the smart way to go, IMO. Buying quality garments that don't have to be replaced so often is also important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401506 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:39:23 +0000 Sal 1401506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article. When you love clothes it is sobering to read how your hobby can contribute to environmental degradation. A selfish part of me wants to put my head in the sand and ignore these articles, but that is not the right thing to do. Obviously we need to keep wearing and washing clothes but natural fibres seem to be a safer choice. </p> <p>Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401503 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:36:41 +0000 rabbit 1401503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eek! Interesting indeed, and scary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401493 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:20:37 +0000 Thistle 1401493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Once my size stabilizes, I should start springing for EF garments. I like their aesthetic, and their business practices. Probably why they are so expensive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/interesting-and-sobering-article-about-clothing-fibres-in-the-environment#post-1401490 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:14:08 +0000 Mander 1401490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read this a few weeks ago and meant to post it here. A rather sobering look at the impact clothing has beyond the temperature we use to wash it and the manufacturing process itself.</p> <p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/oct/27/toxic-plastic-synthetic-microscopic-oceans-microbeads-microfibers-food-chain" rel="nofollow">http://www.theguardian.com/sus.....food-chain</a> </p>