It ain't fashion, if it ain't sustainable

Microfibre Consortium

Microfibre Pollution / Key Drivers

5 March 2025

3 minutes

Fibre fragmentation is a significant topic of concern across the industry, with studies highlighting the potential threat to ecosystems and human health.

Project Launched to Mitigate Fibre Fragment Pollution by Addressing Root Causes and Data Gaps

Fashion For Good and The Microfibre Consortium have launched a ‘Fibre Fragmentation Project’ which aims to offer a snapshot of the issue of fibre fragmentation through the lens of the textile and fashion industry, unpacking various aspects of this complex issue.

Staff Writer

Microfibre Pollution / FibER Hub

23 January 2025

2 minutes

Even microfibres from fabrics considered ‘natural’, such as cotton, can have a negative impact on the environment, as manufacturing processes introduce chemical dyes and finishes to the fabric so that it is no longer in its natural state.

New Research Hub to Probe Extent and Environmental Impact of Microfibre Loss from Textiles

A newly established collaborative research hub in North East England will explore the extent and environmental impact of microfibre loss from textiles.

Staff Writer

Microfibre Pollution / Status Report

24 September 2024

3 minutes

Microfibres have been found in human intestines, placental, blood and lung tissue although knowledge of the toxicological impact of microfibres is still incomplete. However, there is sufficient evidence that microfibres pose physical, chemical and biological risks when they enter the environment.

Industry-Wide Engagement Crucial to Tackling Micofibre Pollution, says Status Report

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) has released a new report on efforts being made to address fibre fragmentation from textiles, also known as microfibre pollution, and showcases industry progress to address the issue even as it exhorts industry-wide engagement to address the multi-faceted challenge.

Staff Writer

Fashion Systems / Disruptions

4 December 2023

9 minutes

Fashion companies are stepping up on their sustainability targets. While a host of brands have announced their commitments to achieve net zero by 2050 with many initiatives and coalitions having been launched over the last few years to rally the industry towards positive change, a lot more needs to be done to tackle the multitude of different challenges posed by the industry.

Why Fashion Needs to Invest Differently If It Wants to Achieve Its Ambitious Targets

A meaningful transition to a circular model has not quite materialised. While almost half of assessed companies have at least one circular fashion programme in place, only 31% have publicly committed to any aspect of the circularity business model. Even fewer are tracking on how much materials from those programmes are actually removed from the waste stream.

Karen Sim

Analysis

Microfibre Pollution / Fragmentation Test

6 November 2023

2 minutes

Over 40 delegates to the Textile Exchange conference embarked on a field trip to King's College London, where they were shown the TMC Test Method in action by PhD student Alice Hazlehurst. The TMC Test Method utilises James Heal’s Gyrowash to assist in measuring microfibres released from simulated domestic laundering.

First Public Demonstration of Fibre Fragmentation Test Held in UK

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) along with specialist test instrument manufacturer James Heal conducted the first public demonstration of a test method for fibre fragmentation from fabric.

Staff Writer

Microfibre Pollution / UK Laundering

8 February 2023

2 minutes

The researchers estimated that annual microfibre release from the UK's washing was between 6,860 and 17,847 tonnes. That's the equivalent of around 600-1,500 double-decker buses.

Laundry Washing in UK Releases 17,847 tonnes of Microfibres Every Year

Researchers have found that the annual release of 6,860–17,847 tonnes of microfibre from UK's washing is a relatively small problem in comparison to the fashion industry's waste problem, with 365,000 tonnes of clothing going to landfill every year.