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You realize what polyester is right? All those fleeces made out of recycled bottles and the polyester clothing that every single kid wears are all shedding micr
by kart23 4y ago
You realize what polyester is right? All those fleeces made out of recycled bottles and the polyester clothing that every single kid wears are all shedding microplastics constantly into the environment.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2264585-microplastics-found-across-the-arctic-may-be-fibres-from-laundry https://www.newscientist.com/article/2264585-microplastics-f...
> Microplastics were present in all samples except one, with a count of approximately 40 microplastic particles per cubic metre of seawater on average. They found that synthetic fibres made up 92 per cent of the microplastic pollution in these samples, and 73 per cent of this is polyester.
- ericd 4y agoSeriously, I see people wringing their hands over solid plastic toys for their kids while clothing them in polyester fleece.
- coffeebeqn 4y agoBeing aware that everything is plastic is kind of horrifying. Stuffed animals? Plastic. Car seats? Plastic. Diapers? Plastic. carpeting? Sleeping bags? Backpacks? Curtains? Yeah it’s all 100% plastics unless you’re buying very high end
- TeMPOraL 4y agoYou can't win. It's hard to get non-plastic clothing even in rich countries. That vendors will deceive or lie about it doesn't help.
- ericd 4y agoIt’s not that hard to get cotton/wool clothing, though wool is definitely pricier than spun plastic. I’ve had much more trouble with furniture, though, there’s a much larger price premium there for whatever reason.
- TeMPOraL 4y ago> I’ve had much more trouble with furniture, though, there’s a much larger price premium there for whatever reason. Logistics, probably. Wooden furniture is heavy. Much heavier than furniture made from modern, plastic-infused materials. This weight increase generates additional costs at every step between the manufacturer and your living room. (I guess traditional materials might also be less suitable for making flat-packed furniture that can be assembled by the buyer.)
- TylerE 4y agoHasn’t he vast majority of that been found to come from fishing nets, and not consumer sources?
- kart23 4y agofishing nets are made out of nylon, not polyester.
- TylerE 4y agoAnd? Nylon is plastic, too. Plenty of poly nets too, eg http://www.hiseamarine.com/polyester-fishing-net-5674.html http://www.hiseamarine.com/polyester-fishing-net-5674.html
- TylerE 4y agoCite: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fishing-fleets-contribute-significantly-to-microplastic-pollution-study-says-180978760/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fishing-fleets-con...