Recycled synthetic clothes – good or bad? (Spoiler Alert – BAD!)

Sometimes the “eco-friendly” solutions we’re told are better for us and the environment are actually WORSE. It’s like when we find out a “healthy” snack is just loaded with hidden sugars—that sucks. New research from the Changing Markets Foundation shows that recycled synthetic clothing is one of those frustrating cases.

We’ve been told for years that buying clothes made from recycled polyester is a massive win for the planet. It feels good to think those discarded sweatshirts are being transformed into a cozy fleece or a new pair of leggings instead of clogging up a landfill or drifting in the ocean. But it turns out, the recycling process itself is the problem. It actually makes the plastic fibers more brittle and prone to breaking.

And you know what that means: MICROPLASTICS.

When you toss those “recycled” leggings into the wash, they shed 55% more microplastics than brand-new, virgin polyester. It’s a staggering number. Every single wash cycle can release up to 700,000 of these tiny plastic flakes into our water systems. These bits are less than 5 millimeters long, making them almost invisible but incredibly persistent.

Scientists are finding these particles everywhere now—in our soil, our water, and even our own bloodstreams. They are being linked to some really scary stuff like heart issues, dementia, and chronic inflammation. It’s a classic case of greenwashing, which makes it so incredibly hard for any of us to know if we’re actually doing the right thing for our families.

So, what do we do? We go back to basics and lean into nature. If you can, stick to “earth-born” fabrics—linen, cotton, hemp, and wool. These fibers eventually biodegrade, unlike plastic which just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic.

My favorite trick? Thrifting! Older vintage pieces are almost always made of the “good stuff” before everything became a plastic blend. Plus, it’s much easier on the wallet. If you’re stuck with your favorite synthetics for now (I get it, some of those leggings are hard to quit!), consider installing a microplastic filter on your washing machine. It’s a small step, but every bit helps as we try to move the needle toward a truly non-toxic home.