The Environmental Cost of Wool and Synthetic Fibers
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Wool and synthetic fibers both have significant environmental impacts, yet the fashion industry continues to rely heavily on them. In this report, the Center for Biological Diversity and Collective Fashion Justice analyzed the Fall 2022 knitwear collections of 13 major fashion brands. They examined the materials used and evaluated how brands communicate the sustainability of their products. The authors found that many wool garments contain synthetic blends, while most “sustainable” alternatives still rely on fossil fuel-based materials that shed microfibers and contribute to pollution. The report calls on the fashion industry to improve transparency, reduce its reliance on virgin wool and synthetic fibers, and invest in lower-impact materials.
