Killing the Ocean

Trigger warnings – there is talk of real Science

Piggybacking off my last post about Polyester, I would like to take a deeper dive into the Toxic Closet and how it affects us in real-time.

Polyester is not the only culprit in your closet… Nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers — all of which are forms of plastic — are now about 60 percent of the material that makes up our clothes worldwide. It is really hard to get away from. As I have mentioned, polyester is cheap for designers and terrible for our bodies.

So, chew on this: when these synthetic materials are made, they have to be, you guessed it, washed. What happens then? PLASTIC POLLUTION of the ocean. And, as we may know, the ocean can recover, but it will take conscious efforts and about 3-4 decades… By purchasing and quickly discarding plastic clothing, we are adding to the microplastic pollution that’s accumulating in the food chain and absorbed by marine wildlife, and us, albeit silently. This begs the question, perhaps this is how cancer starts, or other body breakdowns.

Now, you may be thinking (and I hope you are!) But what about all the straws and the garbage bags and even the DIAPERS?! Fair question.

Most of the plastic that’s in the ocean, in terms of the number of pieces, is not in the form of whole products, but instead broken-down shreds of plastic.

Are you angry and appalled yet? No. Ok, let’s take it a step further.

One of our biggest challenges is climate change. Sea levels are rising and the ocean is becoming more acidic. The amount of warming that has already taken place will likely make a turnaround will be a challenge.

All of this ties right back to clothing (and a HOST of other things, but my passion lies here, with clothes, for the moment)

Yes, another reason to buy thrifted, even couture thrifted. Heck, go to the dumps and dig away. Refrain from buying new.

Citing resources:

1. 1. Vox.com By Brian Resnick on January 11, 2019 10:00 am
      1. https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/the-goods/2018/9/19/17800654/clothes-plastic-pollution-polyester-washing-machine?fbclid=IwAR3ljqITBHXHu8jzqFXez3BZjJmMhPwNtTZmqBlCPNk7qIMv4dejfiZ72as
   2. WeForum.com Isabella Lövin Co-Chair of the Friends of Ocean Action and Writer, Ministry of the Environment of Sweden on June 8, 2018
      1. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/if-we-dont-protect-ocean-humanitarian-disaster-world-oceans-day/

• BBC.Com By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent Published 1 April 2020

• https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52122447

1. TheGuardian.com Damian Carrington Environment editor 12 Mar 2018
   1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/12/microplastic-pollution-in-oceans-is-far-greater-than-thought-say-scientists