The Invisible Pollution of Synthetic Clothing

Why synthetic fibres matter

Polyester, nylon and acrylic are widely used in clothing. Because these fibres are made from plastic-based polymers, they can release tiny plastic fibres during manufacturing, wear and washing.

Microfibres and wastewater

Some of the fibres released during washing enter wastewater. Treatment systems can capture part of this pollution, but not necessarily all of it, which means microfibres can reach rivers, soils and marine environments.

Natural fibres are different, but not impact-free

Cotton, linen, wool and other natural fibres are not plastic fibres and therefore do not shed plastic microfibres from the fibre itself. Their environmental impact still depends on agriculture, processing, dyeing, finishing, transport, durability and end-of-life conditions.

What consumers can do

Choosing durable garments, checking fibre composition, washing only when necessary and using gentler cycles can help reduce unnecessary textile impacts. Where synthetic garments are needed, effective microfibre-capture solutions may also help reduce releases during washing.

ERVERTE Paris and natural fibres

ERVERTE Paris prioritises natural fibres as part of a broader approach focused on material quality, French production and garments designed for repeated wear. The goal is not to claim that one fibre solves every environmental problem, but to reduce reliance on plastic-based textiles and communicate material choices more transparently.

Continue exploring: read why ERVERTE prioritises natural fibres, or learn more about microplastic exposure sources.