Researchers have discovered that waste from the global apparel industry is leaking millions of tons of plastic into the environment each year and may be getting worse over time.

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79 points

It’s hardly overlooked. It’s been widely known for many years that cheap fast fashion is one of the worlds worst pollutants. Stop buying from shein, h&m, tkmax, and all the others. Buy quality clothing that will last a few years at least.

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33 points

This is nothing new, nor overlooked, you are precisely correct. For Example: Aug 2023: 10 Concerning Fast Fashion Waste Statistics https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/

Nov 2022: The environmental costs of fast fashion https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/environmental-costs-fast-fashion

Feb 2019: Fashion has a huge waste problem. Here’s how it can change https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/02/how-the-circular-economy-is-redesigning-fashions-future/

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15 points

Yeah I’ve known about this for at least 4 years. I no longer buy North Face fleeces (my favorite garments 😢) because they shed microplastics while doing laundry.

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2 points

If you still have fleece clothing, get a Guppy friend!

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2 points

What have you found for an alternative?

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8 points

Ok I agree with the sentiment about the first two retailers, but tkmax is an outlet store that doesn’t produce it’s own clothing, suitcases, etc. it resells surplus stock. If anything, it’s better for the environment because it stops that stuff from going to landfill.

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10 points

most of what tj maxx sells is lower quality stuff made specifically for them by major brands. i get where you’re coming from on the surface level examination, but as you peel the layers back you find the way the contracts work is they’re who most of the worst textile poluters are who’s doing their polution through. a better solution is to buy higher quality clothes from smaller brands that don’t sell through wholesale models at all

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3 points

TJ Maxx is a reseller …lol if anything they keep the factory 2nds out of landfills

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1 point

They are still part of and support that industry. It’s part of how they can overproduce cheap crap. If it doesnt sell at the higher price outlets, throw it over the next level of discount store until it does. They make you feel like you are getting a good deal, but the clothing companies still make profit and still get encouraged to pump out the cheapest garbage possible.

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2 points

Even the Patagonia polar fleece is a fucking horrible microplastic shredder.

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