How To: Shop Smarter and Save Our Ocean

Together we’ll delve into the depths of the textile industry’s ocean impact, and the positive changes that we can all make today to keep our oceans clean and happy.

If you fancy some further reading about clothes and the planet, check out how long your clothes take to biodegrade or get to grips with what responsible recycling is.

How does fast fashion affect our oceans?

One of the main reasons the fashion industry is causing pollution is the amount of clothes that are being produced every year.

Globally we've reached the point of making 100 billion brand new garments each year. Putting that into context for you, there's only 7.7 billion people in the world, so that means 12 new items per person - which is way more than the planet can keep up with. That’s why buying pre-loved instead of new is a great way to slow down the cycle.

When we combine the fast-paced nature of the textile industry with people wanting clothes to be as cheap as possible, we end up seeing a lot more plastics being used in clothing than we used to.

And for our marine ecosystems, that’s causing a lot of damage.

How is the fashion industry polluting the ocean?

Textile Production and Chemical Pollution

Before they are sewn together and reach our shops and wardrobes, there are a lot of processes our clothes need to go through, and many of these involve water waste and pollution.

Toxic chemicals like bleaches, dyes and finishing agents can be used to make clothes look good, and when they are disposed of improperly they can find their way into rivers and travel to our oceans.

This can cause a lot of harm to marine life and create big disruptions to the delicate underwater ecosystems, with coral, fish and marine organisms ingesting nasty chemicals.

Environmental Impact of Microplastic Pollution

It’s hard to believe that plastic has only been around for just over 100 years, because it plays such a big role in our shopping habits. Over such a short time it’s become something most of us take for granted, and the consequences of plastic pollution on the ocean are becoming more and more noticeable every day.

The tiny things causing a very big problem? Microplastics.

Microplastics can be defined as any plastic particle that's smaller than 5mm in size. As plastic breaks down, it splits into smaller and smaller particles, but never completely disappears.

When plastic waste goes into landfill, it turns into microplastics, which find their way into the ocean.

They can also be released into the ocean through washing clothes that are made from synthetic textiles like polyester or nylon, so it’s important to use proper washing methods to stop this happening… but more on that later.

How do microplastics affect sea life?

Once they get to the ocean, microplastics are ingested by the marine species at the bottom of the food chain, like plankton and other filter-feeding organisms.

As these get eaten by bigger fish, the microplastics move up the food chain, eventually accumulating in the biggest marine animals, like fish, seabirds and marine mammals, and even onto our dinner plates and into our bodies.

A recent scientific study that analysed blood samples from 22 healthy adults found plastic particles in 17 of them - that’s over 80%. The impact that might have on our health is still relatively unknown, but it could cause damage to our organs. The findings are published in the journal Environment International if you fancy a more in-depth read.

What can we do to minimise the effect we have on the waters of our planet?

So what can we do? We can all make changes to how we shop, care for and dispose of our clothes to make a difference.

Embrace Pre-Loved Fashion 

One of the most effective ways to reduce your personal impact is by embracing pre-loved fashion, and contributing to the circularity within the fashion industry.

Choosing to shop second hand instead of buying our clothes new, extends the lifespan of garments. By buying pre-loved, we’re saving water and decreasing water pollution, because we reduce the demand for something new to be produced, and keep microplastics out of landfill, and out of the ocean.

And it’s never been easier! With sites like ours, shopping pre-loved is as easy as shopping brand new (without the price tag).

Organising clothes swaps or visiting local charity or thrift shops and markets are other great ways to find unique and affordable pre-loved gems to give a new lease of life to.

Go for Natural Fibres and Sustainable Fabrics

When you’re shopping for something new, check the garment label to find out if something is made from natural fibres.

Organic cotton, linen, hemp and tencel will not release microplastics when you wash them, or when they reach the end of their life. By choosing to support brands that use these kinds of fibres, we can reduce the pollution and microplastic waste entering the ocean.

Natural dyes are also much better than chemical ones, as they don’t release any harmful chemicals at all.

There are also some amazing companies like ECONYL® making a difference. ECONYL® use the waste plastic from the ocean and landfills to make regenerated nylon that can be recycled over and over again. Our brand partners Finisterre use the regenerated fabric for their swimwear.

Eco-friendly Laundry Habits

We can all be guilty of throwing things in the wash basket after one wear, but by reducing the amount of washes you do, you’ll reduce the amount of microplastics that are released.

As well as reducing your energy and water consumption, this will also extend the lifespan of your clothes, meaning you can keep them looking fresh for longer.

Most of the clothes we buy on the highstreet are made from synthetic fibres, so one of the best things you can do is buy a microplastic-catching laundry bag, or a microplastic filter for your washing machine. These will trap microfibres before they enter the water system, so they can be disposed of in a better way.

And if you haven’t already, switching to an eco-friendly, phosphate and surfactant free laundry detergent  will also reduce your impact. 

Shop Mindfully

An easy way to reduce your impact on the ocean is by buying less, and buying more mindfully. Before buying something, ask yourself if you need it, and consider its longevity.

Is this something you’ll keep for years to come, or something that you’ll probably only wear once or twice? Choosing things with the goal to keep them and wear them for years to come, instead of buying fast fashion trends is a good way to minimise your waste contribution.

The more we choose quality over quantity, the more we can reduce the demand for disposable fashion, and contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry and happier oceans.

Conclusion

By embracing conscious shopping habits like choosing pre-loved, we can help contribute to saving our oceans.

Collective action is what will make the big change: scientific advancements, regulatory measures, changes in industry practices and more sustainable consumption choices are all necessary pieces of the puzzle.

By making informed choices and supporting sustainable alternatives, we can create a more compassionate and responsible fashion industry that cherishes the ocean and protects it for generations to come.

So why not shop our latest pre-loved edit to make an ocean-friendly choice for your wardrobe now.

Check out how you can sustainably transition your wardrobe for the new season and find out more about the story of our recycling partners LMB.