Plastics: A History Plastic first appeared in shops and supermarket shelves in the 1950s[1]. Its production spiked in the 21st century with 390 million tons being produced yearly[2]. Simultaneously, 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced annually[3]. Only 10% of the total plastic produced has ever been recycled[4]. Most of the plastic waste gets shipped to landfills or gets burned[5]. Microplastics: What are they? As plastic is released into the environment, sun radiation, ocean waves, and mechanical forces break it down into microplastic particles. Its decomposition can take decades, centuries or even millennia. Microplastics come from the decay of big plastic objects, as well as from products such as clothes and fishing nets, whose fibers are designed to be smaller than 5mm. Microplastics and the Fashion Industry More than half of our clothes are made of polyester or other synthetic materials[6]. Every time we wash them, they shed up to 700,000 fibers[7]. Unsurprisingly, the fashion industry accounts for 34% of our global microplastic pollution[8]. Microplastics and Its Effect Microplastics are transported by wind and water, polluting our soil, rivers, and oceans.[9] They are eaten by small fish and other organisms, entering the food chain. They are also found in fruits and vegetables, which absorb them through their roots[10]. Microplastics have been detected in human blood and our organs for the first time in 2022[11]. While their impact on our health is still unknown, researchers are concerned. Microplastics found in our bodies can contain chemical additives used in its production, like methyl mercury, flame retardants, which have been associated with disruption of the endocrine system and hormones balancing our growth and development[12]. Plastic is not designed to be recycled. Not all plastic can be recycled[13]. When it is possible, plastic gets downcycled to a lower quality material, with limited applications[14]. This process is rather expensive and unprofitable. Despite all possible technological innovations, it is not possible to sustainably handle plastic waste if its volume keeps increasing[15]. We must cut plastic at its source and stop single-use plastic. That’s why at Organsk® all our jeans are made from certified organic cotton, certified recycled cotton and recycled polyester to give you a pure product that stands the test of time. [1] https://www.plasticsindustry.org/history-plastics [2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/282732/global-production-of-plastics-since-1950/ [3] https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/ [4] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-its-so-hard-to-recycle-plastic/ [5] https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2022/5/16/what-really-happens-to-your-plastic-recycling [6] https://textileexchange.org/app/uploads/2021/08/Textile-Exchange_Preferred-Fiber-and-Materials-Market-Report_2021.pdf [7] https://www.fashionrevolution.org/our-clothes-shed-microfibres-heres-what-we-can-do/ [8] https://www.fashionrevolution.org/our-clothes-shed-microfibres-heres-what-we-can-do/ [9] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics [10] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230103-how-plastic-is-getting-into-our-food [11] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time [12] https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/ https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230103-how-plastic-is-getting-into-our-food [13] https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/04/04/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-plastic-and-recycling/ [14] https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2022/5/16/what-really-happens-to-your-plastic-recycling [15] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-its-so-hard-to-recycle-plastic/

The design and marketing process of the fashion industry has been steadily evolving and innovating, while the clothing production is still predominantly low-tech, high energy and water-consuming, releasing a high volume of carbon emissions. It employs a multitude of toxic and hazardous chemicals, harming people’s health and polluting the environment. Let’s start from the beginning, the production of one pair of jeans. The journey from raw material to finished clothing products uses thousands synthetic chemicals[1].   CONVENTIONAL COTTON CULTIVATION Accounts for 16% of globally used insecticides and 10% of globally used pesticides[2]. Cotton is cultivated as a “monocrop.” It depletes the soil of nutrients and requires large volumes of fertilizers. The chemicals pollute the environment and water sources, affecting people’s health and wildlife.   FABRIC PRODUCTION Cotton is made into threads and woven into fabric. The denim textile is subjected to a range of pre-washing techniques to get their distinct and stylish “worn-out” look. Sand Blast Blasting denim with sand to age the textile. This practice has been banned in many countries as the silica dust resulting from the operation causes incurable respiratory diseases and can lead to death[3]. Stone Wash Washing the denim with pumice stones. It erodes the indigo dye and fabric, making the denim softer, giving it a faded look. The process is extremely water intensive as the denim requires multiple washes to get cleaned from the stones[4]. Acid Wash The pumice stones are soaked in acids like Potassium Permanganate or Sodium Hypochlorite to reproduce yellow and white splotches. Can be toxic to human reproduction and development[5]. Bleach Wash Uses Chlorine bleach to brighten the colour of the textile. It is toxic and causes respiratory diseases. Spraying of Potassium Permanganate The chemical is often sprayed by hand, causing respiratory and skin problems [6]. It creates local fading on the denim.   These production practices lead to the contamination of 70% of Asia’s water sources[7]. The contamination causes cancer, gastric and skin problems. Affecting the workers and local communities. It also poisons the aquatic flora and fauna. Yet, water pollution is underrated by fashion brands, with only 30% of them publishing their commitment to eliminating toxic chemicals in the production[8].   UNETHICAL LABOR PRACTICES Exploitation of women and underage children is a common practice in sweatshops in developing countries. Due to weak labour laws and government controls in these nations, clothing manufacturers get away with exhausting hours, pays below subsistence level, dangerous and unhygienic working conditions. Working hours: 12-16 hours a day, 7 days a week Salaries: Bangladesh 33 cents/hour, India 58 cents/hour, [9] China, 40cents/hour [10] At ORGANSK, we are committed to re-designing the conventional method by using innovative technology and ethical social practices.   [1] www.earthday.org/toxic-textiles-the-chemicals-in-our-clothing/ [2] https://global-standard.org/ [3] https://riverbluethemovie.eco/sandblasting-jeans/ [4] https://textilelearner.net/denim-stone-washing/ [5] www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0672&p_version=2 [6] www.earthday.org/toxic-textiles-the-chemicals-in-our-clothing/ [7] www.ecowatch.com/environmental-cost-jeans-2544519658.html [8] https://issuu.com/fashionrevolution [9] https://earth.org/sweatshops/ [10] www.bac2nyvt.org/en/how-much-do-sweatshop-workers-get-paid-in-china