National Trust turns tide on plastic in their fleeces
THE National Trust is reviewing its sale and use of fleeces following warnings that the material contributes to plastic pollution.
It gives the garments to staff to wear on and off duty. But studies have shown that washing acrylic and polyester clothing releases millions of plastic fibres into drains and, ultimately, the sea.
Microfibres that pollute our oceans and land have been found in food ranging from blue mussels to table salt and even honey. As a result the NT, the country’s biggest conservation charity – which sells fleeces to its 5million members – is reviewing its use of the jackets.
The American Association of the Advancement of Science is expected to hear warnings this week about the dangers of plastic fabrics.
Scientists will argue that the material is poisoning aquatic animals all over the world and should be phased out.
In an advance paper, Professor Chelsea Rochman, an aquatic ecologist at Toronto University said: ‘Microfibres have become one of the most common types of microplastic pollution. They are found in diverse habitats and animals, including in Arctic ice, deep-sea animals and our seafood. We know that washing our clothing is one source.’
The NT, which last week threw its weight behind the Daily Mail and Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean anti-litter campaign, said: ‘As a conservation charity we’re committed to finding ways to help our members and supporters reduce their environmental impact.
‘We have responsible sourcing standards for all our products – which set out what we expect on quality, packaging, environmental management and social responsibility, as well as material specific standards – and we work with suppliers to ensure that sustainable and wellmanaged standards are in place.’
Richard Thompson, professor of marine biology at Plymouth University, who has led research into plastic microfibres, said he had been contacted by the NT over the environmental impact of its fleeces.
An Italian study found synthetic clothing is 16 times more damaging for the environment than microbeads, with one 5kg (11lb) washing load creating up to 17.7million plastic microfibres.
The European Outdoor Group and the UK Outdoor Industries Association, which represent fleece manufacturers, said: ‘The global outdoor industry is working collaboratively on the microfibreshedding challenge... to gather the data needed to make more informed decisions about the fabrics and fibres used.’
The Daily Mail has long campaigned against the environmental harm done by plastics including shopping bags, bottles and microbeads.