Most people don’t think of their closet as part of the plastic pollution crisis.
But today, fashion is one of the largest — and least visible — sources of plastic in the world. Synthetic fibers made from fossil fuels dominate what we wear, shed microplastics into our environment, and persist for centuries after disposal.
This realization led me to give a TEDx talk on materials and microplastics — and it’s the same reason PLNTmatter exists.
If we want to solve plastic pollution, we have to start with what’s in our closets.
The Irony in Our Closets: Why Most Clothing Is Made of Plastic
I live in Southern California and love the outdoors — hiking, skiing, sailing.
Yet almost everything I wear to enjoy nature is made from plastic.
Over 60% of global textiles are polyester, a synthetic fiber derived from fossil fuels. Polyester has become the default material for clothing, from fast fashion to luxury and performance wear.
So while I may look dressed for the mountains, my closet tells a different story — one rooted in oil refineries, not nature.
When I tried to remove plastic from my wardrobe, I quickly learned how deeply embedded it is in fashion.
Why Avoiding Plastic in Fashion Is Nearly Impossible
Plastic doesn’t just exist in fabrics. It hides in:
- Zippers
- Elastics
- Stitching threads
- Trims and embellishments
Even garments marketed as “natural” often rely on synthetic components.
Even clothing made from plant-based materials isn’t immune. The fabric may be natural, but the stitching thread is often still polyester.
The scale of synthetic textile production is staggering. In 2023 alone, polyester production reached 78 million tonnes, contributing to 35% of global microplastic pollution.
Fashion isn’t just affected by plastic pollution — it’s a major driver of it.
Microplastics in Clothing and Their Impact on Human Health
Polyester is non-biodegradable. Every time it’s worn, washed, or moved in, it sheds microscopic plastic fibers.
These microplastics enter our:
- Water systems
- Air
- Food chain
Scientists have now detected microplastics in human lungs, bloodstreams, and even placentas — meaning exposure begins before birth.
If we don’t address synthetic textiles, we won’t meaningfully reduce plastic pollution by 2040.
What we wear directly impacts both planetary and human health.
Why Polyester Became Dominant — and Why It Can’t Be the Future
Polyester dominates because it’s inexpensive, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to scale.
But its real cost has always been externalized.
It’s a discount at checkout — followed by long-term environmental and health consequences.
Replacing polyester isn’t about sacrificing performance. It’s about developing next-generation materials that match or exceed synthetics — without relying on fossil fuels.
Next-Generation Materials Replacing Plastic-Based Textiles
The shift toward plastic-free materials has already begun.
At PLNTmatter, we developed NOTelastic™, a plastic-free elastic made from bamboo fiber and natural rubber. It is:
- FSC-certified
- Free from fossil fuels
- 11% more elastic than spandex
Across the industry, innovators are rethinking materials from the ground up:
- Uncaged creates plastic-free leather alternatives from grains
- Keel Labs transforms seaweed into naturally antimicrobial textiles
- Rubi converts captured carbon dioxide into cellulose fibers
- Mover produces high-performance sportswear using only natural fibers
These materials demonstrate that performance and sustainability are no longer mutually exclusive.
Designing Sustainable Materials Without Repeating Past Mistakes
Innovation alone isn’t enough. Materials must be designed responsibly before they scale.
Polyester was once celebrated as a miracle fiber — until its unintended consequences became clear.
This time, sustainable materials must meet higher standards:
- No monocropping that depletes soil
- No deforestation — use waste streams and regenerative systems
- No toxic chemistry that harms ecosystems downstream
- Full lifecycle design, with biodegradability as a baseline
The future of materials depends on regenerative agriculture, biodiversity protection, green chemistry, and water efficiency.
Scaling Plastic-Free Materials Through Collaboration
For sustainable materials to replace synthetics, they must scale within existing systems.
That means collaboration — not disruption — across the supply chain.
At PLNTmatter, we use biomimicry and green chemistry to accelerate what nature already does best. We convert regenerative plants and agricultural waste into high-cellulose biomass directly at the farm using bacteria and enzymes derived from soil organic matter.
The remaining byproducts become natural fertilizer or clean biofuel. The biomass is then transformed into fully biodegradable fibers.
This closed-loop system creates value for everyone:
- Farmers earn additional income
- Manufacturers receive cleaner feedstock
- Brands access high-performance, sustainable materials without premium pricing
Real change happens when innovation reaches everyday products.
The Future of Fashion: A Closet Without Plastic
Imagine opening your closet in 2040 and knowing that nothing inside is polluting the planet.
A closet filled with natural and bio-based fibers that outperform synthetics — without harming the environment or human health.
This future isn’t unrealistic.
If innovators, brands, manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers work together, plastic-free textiles can become the norm.
So the next time you open your closet, ask yourself:
Are you wearing the past — made from fossil fuels?
Or the future — made from materials that give back to the Earth?
Or the future — made from materials that give back to the Earth?