Types of Fabrics. (Aayan Linens, 2019)

In this pandemic, our usage of protective products such as surgical masks, gloves, face shields, and full-body suits which are mostly made of synthetic plastic has surged drastically all around the world. Hence without much research, I tried reducing plastic pollution in the air, land, and sea by using reusable face masks instead of disposable ones that are made of plastic or synthetic material.

As I am curious to find out whether using reusable face masks really seemed like a much better option, I went on to do some research… To my dismay, what I found is that all materials which are biodegradable, be it animal-based products(wool, silk), natural products(cotton, wood pulp), or plant-based(linen, hemp), contain microfibres… We might think that reusable items are less harmful to our health and the environment but have we thought about it in the form of microfibres? Research shows that microfibres are present in the air and we can breathe that in too (Mowbray, 2020)! Also, animal-based materials retrieved from animals such as sheep and goats, produce greenhouse gases like methane which contributes to global warming (Farag, 2016). 

If you are wondering that synthetic materials only pollute our land and waters, you are wrong. Do you know that synthetic materials are actually made of fossil fuel and transformed into fibers for our consumption (Farag, 2016)? The process produced tonnes of carbon dioxide and even nitrous oxide, which are harmful greenhouse gases!

Similar to our previous topic on microplastics, when clothes made of fibers or synthetic materials are washed, microfibres and microplastics are produced and have the potential of polluting our waters (Achtypi et al., 2020). Furthermore, regardless of the material that clothes are made of, there might be the usage of dyes and pesticides that can contribute to air pollution when the pollutants are released into the atmosphere. This increases the risk of air pollution, land pollution, and water pollution, which is especially so when it is not disposed of properly. 

Since clothes biodegradable products like natural fibers aren’t consumable for marine species and to reduce emissions and pollutants from the production of clothes and usage of dyes, perhaps we can explore new inventions(Eg Edible water bottle made from seaweed walls of brown seaweed (Beadman, n.d) and straws made of glassified sugar (Patent Docs, 2009)) which are safe for consumption and reduce its impacts on wildlife. In that way, if it ends up in the sea, it is safe for the marine species to consume, if it ends up in the land, it is able to break down quickly with the right conditions and it will also have minimal and less harmful contribution to air pollution. 

Your environmental buddy,
Zhi Yong

References: 

Aayan Linen. (2019, September 9). Types of Fabrics: Classification & List of Fabrics. [Digital Image] Retrieved from https://www.aanyalinen.com/blogs/aanya-blog/types-of-fabrics

Beadman, N. (n.d.). Consumable consumables: The edible water bottle. Retrieved from https://www.mewburn.com/news-insights/consumable-consumables-the-edible-water-bottle

Farag, N. (2016, June 27). Know Your Materials: What Each One Means for Sustainable Fashion. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from https://repeller.com/sustainable-fashion-materials/

Mowbray, W. (2020, January 2). Textile microfibres abundant in the air we breathe. Retrieved from https://www.ecotextile.com/2020010225490/materials-production-news/textile-microfibres-abundant-in-the-air-we-breathe.html

Patent Docs. (2009, June 25). Patent application title: Consumable Candy Drinking Straw and A Method Of Using the Same. Retrieved from http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20090162492

Robertson, I. (2019, July 25). Polypropylene. Retrieved  from https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/polypropylene/3010766.article

Achtypi, A., Aliani, F., Bornman, T., Perold, V., Lee, J., Pierucci. A., Ryan, P., & Suaria, G. (2020, June 01). Microfibers in oceanic surface waters: A global characterization. Retrieved from https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/23/eaay8493/tab-pdf