[britni] 2019 Fall Fashion: Plastic is Trending

If you read the first post in this collaborative series with The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies you know we are here to learn together about how to keep TLPF's (those little plastic fuckers [microplastics]) out of the ocean. 

It seems natural to start with the main contributor to this problem:

laundering synthetic clothing.

Photo courtesy of Coraball

Each year, more than a half-million metric tons of microfibers—the equivalent of 50 billion plastic water bottles—enter the ocean from the washing of synthetic textiles, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. - The Wall Street Journal

I don't know about you, but I was quite surprised to learn this. There is a ton of awareness about reducing the use of plastic bags, plastic water bottles, plastic cutlery, plastic straws, plastic la, la, la. I could go on. Why aren't we talking more about plastic clothing?  Keep in mind, washing synthetic textiles is the main source of microplastics entering the ocean, there are many other sources of marine plastics. 

To me, it seems most important to prevent the TLPF's from getting into the ocean that we are eating and drinking, as, we can still fish plastic bottles out of the water before they are eventually broken down into TLPF's. Both types of marine plastic are a serious problem, however, microplastics in the ocean are much more difficult to remove once they are there. 

 This isn't even the worst plastic problem we are facing. Holy Shit you guys!

(insert mind blown emoji here)

photo cred: Green News

 

Again, I am not here to load you up with facts or convince you that you that this is a problem. I'd rather bore you with ways we can all help with the problem, and slowly, over the course of time, guilt you into doing the right thing.

 

WTF can we do about this!?

 

Let's get right to work. 

No, you don't need to ditch your entire wardrobe and start over with biodegradable fabrics (although, you could start today by reading tags and trying to avoid synthetics - we will get to that). 

One solution is to purchase a Coraball "an easy-to-use laundry ball that catches microfibers shedding off our clothes in the washer.".

Photo Courtesy of Coraball

Buy one of them here We hope to carry these in our retail location soon!

 

You can also add a filter on to your washing machine. This option is a bit more expensive and labor intensive but does a much more thorough job of removing those pesky synthetic fibers.

Buy a Lint Luv-R Here

If you send us a photo of your installed Lint Luv-R,

we will send you a free Salt Co. hoodie!

 

What fabrics should you try to avoid purchasing?

The most common synthetic fibers found in fashion items:

• Polyester
• Nylon (also known as Polyamide)
• Acrylic
• Viscose (often referred to as Rayon in the US)
• Rayon
• Fleece
• Microfleece
• Elastane (often referred to as Spandex in the US, and Dupont has its own version, known as LYCRA®)
• Acetate

Don't be fooled by this selling point: "This item was made from recycled plastics!!"

I don't know about you, but I could care less how many times a plastic was used before it ends up in the ocean, in my seafood, and therefore my belly.

These are just a few small ways we commoners can do our part in eliminating the pollution. I would love to see this problem ripped out by the root (large textile companies manufacturing only biodegradable fabrics). But that is a problem is a little too big for my britches at the moment. For now, let's highlight some local business that are selling eco friendly apparel. Like SALT CO. for example!!!

 

We only sell garments made with 100% cotton materials.

Model: Casey  (insert sweaty emoji) #sogoodlooking

Find some salty, non-pollutey apparel here.

Another personal fave: Salmon Sisters 

A local Alaskan apparel company that we all know and love. Here is just one more reason to buy from them:

 

Made with Forest Stewardship Council certified Moso timber bamboo from the Sichuan Province in China, which is certified organic by Organic Crop Improvement Association and the USDA.

53% organic cotton, 43% bamboo viscose, and 5% lycra

#treatyoself #itsfortheplanet

 See you next week and thanks for reading!!

- Brit

 

PS.

I had this idea for a plastic dress on an adult, but procrastinated until the last minute and Hadley ended up being my only choice, she did a great job! She drove a hard bargain and ended up getting a creamsicle out of the deal. I can't believe she is almost 4.