Plastic Fashion

Plastic leaves a trail behind

Nearly 70% of clothing is made of plastic

Why now?

Plastic doesn’t belong in fashion. And it definitely doesn’t belong in us

Fashion is increasingly being made from plastic.

Synthetic fibres derived from fossil fuels now account for 69% of global textile production, and this is projected to reach 73% by 2030. A 2024 Changing Markets investigation of 50 major fashion brands, worth more than $1 trillion combined, found widespread reliance on synthetic fibres, limited transparency and industry tactics that delay meaningful action.

SHEIN stands out: 81,70% of the fibres in its garment portfolio are synthetic.

Synthetic clothing can also shed microfibres and microplastics. Research has detected microplastics in human tissues and fluids, including lungs, blood, brain tissue and placentas, while emerging research is investigating their potential health impacts.

This means plastic in fashion is not only an environmental issue.

It is a growing public health concern.

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Help us: Take the Pledge

Cheap plastic disposable clothing is flooding our society. These fabrics release microplastics that are bad for our health. Legislation can prevent this, but the clothing industry lobby threatens to weaken this law. Fast Plastic Fashion remains a problem.

Will you help us put pressure so the law really works?

Sign the pledge

Is ultra fast fashion really harmful?

The issue

The issue

Synthetic clothing can shed microfibres and microplastics. Research has detected microplastics in human tissues and fluids, including lungs, blood, brain tissue and placentas, while emerging research is investigating their potential health impacts. This means plastic in fashion is not only an environmental issue. It is a growing public health concern. If clothing is made from plastic, consumers deserve to know. Just like cigarettes have a warning on their packaging, shouldn't clothes come with one?

Our aim

Our campaign is about the system behind ultra-fast fashion and major brands like SHEIN, Inditex and Primark. The fashion industry has doubled its production of polyester since 2000 and with the raise of ultra-fast fashion, this is only set to increase. Individual choices are only part of the solution. This campaign challenges the idea that consumers alone are responsible for the growth of cheap polyester clothing. It aims to build public pressure for stronger regulation and a reduction in the fashion industry's dependence on plastic-based fibres.

We need more accountability towards major brands and stronger action under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. That's why we need You to sign our pledge!

Sign the pledge

The solution

With our Beat the Microbead campaign and app, the Plastic Soup Foundation, together with NGOs and consumers around the world, helped put microplastics firmly on the political agenda. This collective effort contributed to the EU’s decision to restrict the intentional use of microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products.

Now, PlasticFreeFuture is taking the next step. Launched in 2025, the app replaces Beat the Microbead with a faster, smarter tool that combines product scanning with practical guidance on plastic-free alternatives. So you can scan not only your cosmetics but also find out if there is plastic in your clothes and what alternatives you can choose to protect yourself.

Download the app

The issue

The issue

Our aim

We need more accountability towards major brands and stronger action under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. That's why we need You to sign our pledge!

Sign the pledge

The solution

Download the app

What's really in your clothes?

Nice outfit! But do you really know what you're wearing?
Find out how aware you are of plastic in fashion. Take the quiz!

Take the quiz

Do clothes make us sick?

When inhaled, microfibers can reach the lungs and cause chronic inflammation — increasing the risk of cancer, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. These fibers have also been found in the liver, kidneys, brain, and even in unborn babies. We ingest microplastics through food and drinks, which can trigger gut issues like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

What does the science say?

The Plastic Free Future App

Protect you children from exposure to plastic fibers!

Plastic Free Future App

The PlasticFreeFuture app helps you discover microplastics in products. Scan your clothing label and see right away if it contains plastic! Get tips and advice and also discover sustainable alternatives! The app is 100% free.

Legislation is the solution

Microplastic fibres from clothing pollute our oceans and our bodies. Only strong laws can stop this.

Join our campaign against Utra Fast Fashion!

SIgn the pledge

Here's what you can do

The textile industry is responsible for as much as 35% of microplastic pollution in the oceans. Legislation is the solution. However, here's some things you can do.

With your support we will tackle plastic pollution

Take the Fashion Quiz

Plastic Fashion

Plastic leaves a trail behind

Why now?

Help us: Take the Pledge

Is ultra fast fashion really harmful?

The issue

Our aim

The solution

The issue

Our aim

The solution

What's really in your clothes?

Do clothes make us sick?

What does the science say?

The Plastic Free Future App

Protect you children from exposure to plastic fibers!

Plastic Free Future App

Legislation is the solution

Here's what you can do

With your support we will tackle plastic pollution

Take the Fashion Quiz

Your guide to sustainable style: Get the Free Fashion Guide

Read, learn, and make a difference

Is your fast fashion addiction fuelling microplastic pollution?

Solutions to plastic fast fashion pollution

Health risks for children

What are microplastic fibers, and why are they dangerous?

PlasticFreeFuture: Scan products & choose plastic-free alternatives

The invisible threat of microplastics from clothing

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