Why can’t brands stop using polyester? Patagonia’s Director of Materials Research and Development Ryan Thompson puts it best: “Polyester has definite advantages… In historic Alpine insulation systems, the material of choice was almost always wool. The transition to polyester happened because we were able to offer an economical alternative to wool with similar performance and comfort characteristics. It is durable even at light weights and is easier to maintain because it is machine washable and dryable.

Polyester is efficient. This is why Patagonia introduced this material to outerwear in the 1980s. It is also why they have been hanging on to it for so long, only recently having come up with a plan to replace virgin polyester with polyester. recycled made from bottles and manufacturing waste. But the brand’s progress is worth celebrating: 64% of its new products are made from recycled materials. That’s a fair amount of progress internally toward an end goal of overhauling the apparel industry, but it’s nothing in the grand scheme of things. Patagonia is not the only culprit of microplastic pollution. All clothes release fibers during washing.

“Textiles lose between 31,000 and 3,500,000 fibers per load in normal washing in household washing machines,” Patagonia found. But while nylon, spandex, and other stretchy synthetic materials fall apart, none like fleece. “Fluffy” textiles like fleece, as well as textiles made from spun base yarns and pre-brushed textiles are the most lost types, ”the aforementioned study of the brand also determined. Water treatment plants can actually capture only about 60 (the rough average) to 80 (the optimistic intake) percent of the microplastics in the water they refine. That leaves a whopping 20 to 40 percent of a few million. Ouch!

There is hope, however, for those of us who retreat into long-haired jackets whenever winter comes around the corner. Studies have shown that some jackets shed a lot the first time you wash them, but shed less with each subsequent wash. Sure, rinsing out a wad of microplastics with the first wash isn’t worth celebrating, but it does leave room for pre-treatments that could eliminate that initial waste. Beyond scientific developments, there are also fleeces made from alternative materials. There are also some in natural wool, which shed much less and decompose more quickly. If we can distract consumers from polluting polyester fleeces, more brands will realize the problem and explore opportunities to innovate on their own products – see: switch to wool or recycled polyester. Purchase the options of a few adapters below.

1. Don’t wash your fleece as often (or at all). Of course, some circumstances require a deep cleaning, but be aware of the impact of repeated washing.
2. If you need to wash your fleece, use a Guppyfriends wash bag. The patented medical grade nylon sleeve zips up and prevents microplastics from escaping into waterways.
3. Purchase and install a lint filter that filters fabrics in the passage between your washing machine and your septic tank.