A new study released on 10 December 2025 by Changing Markets Foundation found that recycled plastic fabrics release around 55% more microplastics than virgin plastic fabrics. What’s worse, is that the fibres released from recycled materials were on average 20% smaller, meaning the pass more easily through the skin and into our bloodstream and fast tracking the microplastic pollution in the environment.
In May 2023, a Greenpeace report was published, which was a collation of peer reviewed research, showing that recycled plastics contain far higher levels of toxic chemicals than virgin plastics. Making them a greater danger to humans and the planet. This is mainly due to contamination and high heat in the recycling process.
So we now know that recycled polyester sheds 1.5x the amount of microplastics than virgin polyester. And these microplastics are smaller in size AND more toxic than conventional polyester. It’s time for brands to stop using this toxic junk and stop tricking consumers into thinking they’re doing good. This is not sustainability, it’s greenwashing.
The Greenwashing Behind Recycled Polyester
Unfortunately recycled polyester has made its way to the eye of the greenwashing storm. Brands looking to seem more sustainable shout about their use of recycled plastic fabrics to gain favour and seem like they’re doing good for the planet.
In reality, recycled plastic fabrics are far worse for the environment as they contain higher levels of harmful chemicals and shed over half as many microplastics as virgin plastic alternatives.
The issue has become so bad that there are even reports of demand for ‘recycled’ synthetic fabrics outstripping supply, so some factories have been re-processing perfectly good and usable virgin polyester in order to be able to sell it as ‘recycled’.
The madness needs to end! The global fashion industry needs to find its way back to safe, natural and biodegradable materials which are better for health and the environment.
How Can We Reduce Our Children’s Exposure to Microplastics
- Use a water filter on tap water, and don’t drink out of plastic bottles
- Avoid all synthetic fabrics, virgin or recycled
- Be particularly cautious of recycled plastic fabrics. They contain more toxins and shed more microplastics
- When synthetic fabrics can’t be avoided, always layer natural fabrics underneath to avoid microplastics being absorbed by the skin, and keep synthetic materials away from faces and airways
- Never let children chew or suck on synthetic materials (like teddies, jumper sleeves or coat collars etc)
- Don’t tumble dry or ‘shake out’ synthetic garments when doing laundry. This will turbo boost the release of microplastics into your household air
- Similarly, don’t let children shake polyester teddies around their faces or near food (ideally, don’t let them have polyester teddies in the first place)
- If you have synthetic clothing in your wardrobe (school uniform, for example), wash it separately to your natural fabric items to avoid contaminating your other clothes with microplastics and toxins
- Open windows daily in your house and car to clear your air of these toxins
- Dust and hoover as much as possible to remove the microplastics which collect in household dust
For more low tox family living tips, follow Pure Earth Collection on Instagram.
And you can shop our range of non-toxic, plastic-free sleep, play and swim products below:
