So, you have been adding more and more of Kashmere and cottons in your wardrobe in the optimism of boycotting synthetic and saving the world? Well, a recent research by University of Nottingham tells otherwise. Recently, the researchers from the university have found more percentage of ‘natural’ fibres in the freshwaters and atmosphere of UK than that of artificial fibre.
Experts from the university conducted the research for about an year, while collecting 223 samples from over 10 sites from the River Trent, the River Leen and the River Soar, and four roofs of the University's UK teaching campuses, and found that microplastic textile fibres, such as polyester and nylon, were absent from 82.8% of samples, whereas 'natural' textile fibres were absent from just 9.7% of samples.
Microplastic pollution has garnered a great deal of scientific, political and media attention in recent years, leading to widespread concern. As the impact of plastic and microplastic pollution has grown, not just the people but big corporates and companies too have made a considerable effort to minimize the amount of plastic they use in their day-to-day lives and emissions.
There has always been a general consensus about natural textile fibres like cotton and wool, that their biodegradability reduces their environmental threat in comparison to that of plastic.
However, it is equally important to note that 'natural' textile fibres are the product of multiple potentially hazardous processes and are inherently 'unnatural."
Definitely, much more needs to be done, before we can decide for the best alternatives available to us and the planet.
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