Eco-friendly and fresh

Your laundry habit may be using more carbon than you think.

Everyone does laundry. It’s a staple of daily life. But have you ever thought about the impact it has on the planet and your wardrobe? The good news is small changes in your laundry habits can have a big impact. From reducing carbon emissions to extending the life of your clothes, it’s time to rethink the way you do laundry. According to a recent EU report, the most effective way to reduce the environmental impact of clothes can be achieved through simple means such as reducing washing temperatures, washing at full load, avoiding tumble-drying and purchasing eco-friendly fibres.

A study updated in 2023 by the European Environment Agency on textiles in Europe’s circular economy found that washing synthetics releases about 0.5 million tonnes of microfibres each year while laundering synthetic clothing accounts for 35% of primary microplastics released into the environment.

Cold Water Wash

About 90% of the energy our washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. Cold washing saves energy, preserves clothes, and reduces carbon emissions.

Catch the microplastics

Most of the clothes produced are made with synthetic, plastic fibers. With just one wash, hundreds of thousands of microplastics are released into the waterways. Using reusable filters can reduce plastic pollution by trapping the microplastic from your clothes.

Sustainable Laundry Detergent

Clothes are not the only part of the laundry process that releases microplastics. Around 7% of the plastic used in detergent pods penetrates the environment and is linked to both environmental and health impacts. When buying detergent pods, opt for microplastic-free ones!

Drying Alternatives

It is time to rethink the tumble dryer! Leave your clothes to dry naturally on a rack, and leave them outside, on the balcony or next to an open window.

Previous
Previous

Fashion returns gone wrong: the environmental cost

Next
Next

Schooling for Sustainability