Changing Markets new report Spinning Greenwash: How the fashion industry’s shift to recycled polyester is worsening microplastic pollution reveals that recycled polyester generates 55% more microplastic particles during washing than virgin polyester, which is less brittle. These particles are also nearly 20% smaller, allowing them to travel more widely through the environment and pose greater risks. A single laundry cycle can release up to 900,000 microplastic fibres, and once they’re in the environment, they become one of the most pervasive forms of pollution—contaminating soil, air, water, wildlife, and even human organs.

The study of 51 garments from five major brands, includes T-shirts, tops, dresses and shorts sold by Adidas, H&M, Nike, Shein and Zara. The study is the first to compare brands for microplastic pollution, Changing Markets believes. 

Nusa: I think H&M is doing a bit of blowing its own horn here and pushing recycling as a silver bullet solution. Also, why are they focusing on plastic recycling from all the possible textiles they could be recycling? 

https://hmfoundation.com/2025/04/03/how-textile-to-textile-recycling-went-from-vision-to-future-standard/

How textile-to-textile recycling went from vision to future standard

When progress seems slow and headwinds feel strong, it’s worth reminding ourselves that every breakthrough started with a single experiment, every partnership with a first conversation, and every investment with someone brave enough to place the first bet. A decade ago, textile-to-textile recycling was still an emerging field – mechanical methods had been explored, but large-scale solutions for post-consumer and blended textiles were just beginning to take shape. Ten years on, it has evolved into a promising industry that’s attracting significant investments and partnerships with some of the world‘s biggest brands.

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