We all know that plastic pollution is a very real problem, so much so that its estimated by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
The fashion industry is particularly polluting, showed research last year; clothes release half a million tonne of microfibres into the ocean every year, which is the same as 50 billion plastic bottles.
The research showed that this industry will use up a quarter of the worlds carbon budget.
In an attempt to bring that figure down, over 250 brands are addressing the plastic crisis by signing the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.
Designer labels and high street retailers including H&M, Zara, LOreal, Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Unilever have attached themselves to the clean cause.
More: Fashion
Advertisement
Advertisement
Launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment aims to help brands cut down the amount of plastic waste they contribute to the environment.
Part of the initiative is to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and move from single-use to reuse packaging models. It also aims to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging can be easily and safely reused, recycled, or composted by 2025.
The last part of its three-step scheme is to turn recycled plastic into new packaging or products.
One brand doing that is Everlane, which launched mens and womens puffer coats, fleece sweaters, and parkas made from three million recycled plastic bottles.
We know that cleaning up plastics from our beaches and oceans is vital, but this does not stop the tide of plastic entering the oceans each year. We need to move upstream to the source of the flow, said Ellen MacArthur, the record-breaking British sailor who is behind the scheme.
Most efforts until now have been focused on cleaning up plastic pollution. This commitment is about eliminating pollution at its source, added Rob Opsomer, who leads the New Plastics Economy initiative.
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestle, named some of the worlds worst plastic polluters, also joined the scheme.
MORE: Wed fight for our children to have clean water – so where is the fight for clean air?
Advertisement
Advertisement
MORE: Man collected all the the plastic he used for a year – and this is what it looks like
MORE: Burberry has finally ditched fur – but faux fur has its own problems too
Advertisement
Advertisement
