• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
new-giao-logo
  • Compost
  • Podcast
  • Ecofashion
  • Resources
    • Dry Cleaning
    • Legislation We Support
    • Plastics
      • Guide to Recycling on Long Island
      • Suffolk Styrofoam & Straws Ban
      • Strawless Huntington Campaign
      • Plastics & Health
      • For Kids: Reducing Plastic Waste
    • Toxins
      • 10 Ways to Reduce Toxins
      • Disease Prevention
      • Water Filters
    • Plant Based Lifestyle
    • Zero Waste
      • Compost 101
      • Cómo hacer Abono?
      • Recycling
      • Textile Waste
    • Solar Panels Discount
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Media
new-giao-logo
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
  • Compost
  • Events
  • TEDx Talk
  • Resources
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Back to Homepage ↩️
  • Compost
  • Podcast
  • Ecofashion
  • Resources
    • Dry Cleaning
    • Legislation We Support
    • Plastics
      • Guide to Recycling on Long Island
      • Suffolk Styrofoam & Straws Ban
      • Strawless Huntington Campaign
      • Plastics & Health
      • For Kids: Reducing Plastic Waste
    • Toxins
      • 10 Ways to Reduce Toxins
      • Disease Prevention
      • Water Filters
    • Plant Based Lifestyle
    • Zero Waste
      • Compost 101
      • Cómo hacer Abono?
      • Recycling
      • Textile Waste
    • Solar Panels Discount
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Media

environment

Microfiber Pollution From Our Clothing – in our Food?

August 12, 2018 by Beth Fiteni

Microscopic views of microfibers
Microscopic views of microfibers. Photos: Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB

Many of us are becoming aware of the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean. But did you know that when you wash your synthetic fleece top, it may be releasing tiny fibers of polyester (which is made of plastic), into your wastewater, which can then contaminate water bodies?[1] A 2016 study found that microfibers (less than a millimeter in length) are being found in oceans as well as land, from the bottom of the Indian Ocean to U.S. farmland. Results found that when synthetic jackets are washed, on average 1,174 milligrams of microfibers are released from the washing machine. “These microfibers then travel to local wastewater treatment plant, where up to 40% of them can enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans (depending on local wastewater treatment conditions).”[2] The Global Microplastic Initiative points out that microplastics do not break down, and can bioaccumulate, affect cell function in fish, and can move from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Microfibers have been detected in “table salt in China, in arctic waters, and in fish caught off the coast of California.”[3]

So what are some solutions?

  • Purchase biodegradable fabrics such as cotton, hemp, and linen
  • Seek better quality spun fibers that don’t shed as much as low quality clothing.
  • Washing machines:
    • Should have a lint filter.
    • Front loading machines tend to cause less shedding than top loading machines.[4]
    • Use a colder wash setting. Higher temperature can damage clothes and release more fibers.
    • Dry spin clothes at low revs. Higher revolutions increase the friction between the clothes.

Learn more in the Green Wardrobe Guide.

#StopTheMicrofiber #GreenWardrobeGuide #Ecofashion #NoMorePlastic

[1] How Microplastics Cause Macro Problems for the Ocean

[2] Microfiber Pollution and the Apparel Industry

[3] Are We Eating Our Fleece Jackets?

[4] What Do We Know About Tiny Plastic Fibers in the Ocean

Filed Under: Health, Plastic, Water Tagged With: clothing, eco, eco fashion, environment, environmental, plastic, waste

Trashion Fashion with Skraptacular

May 12, 2014 by Beth Fiteni

The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014
The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014

My friend Dominique Drakeford of Drake Natural has informed me of a fun and worthwhile organization that I want to share.

“Skraptacular is a grassroots, non-profit organization based in northern Manhattan. We inspire community and environmental awareness by teaching children how they can make the world cleaner and greener by transforming trash into art.” It educates about concepts of sustainability, waste reduction, and smart consumerism, while encouraging children’s creativity.

Founded by Michelle Del Guercio, Skraptacular recently celebrated its third anniversary and fundraiser “A Springing Affair,” and numerous activities for Earth Month. Coming up in May 2014 – two “Trashion” shows, one at the High Line on May 18th and one at the beautiful Brooklyn Grange on May 31st.

Skraptacular is always in need of craft items, funds, and volunteers. Visit their web site to get involved.

Filed Under: Activism, Ecofashion Tagged With: eco, eco fashion, eco-fashion shows, education, environment, event, fashion, green, new york, nyc

Ground for Hope: GreenFaith Inspires Environmental Stewardship in Long Island

March 25, 2013 by Beth Fiteni

Reverend Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith, addresses the crowd

GreenFaith, a NJ based nonprofit, came to Temple Beth David in Commack, Long Island on 3/10/13 to enliven the community of faith’s efforts on stewardship of the earth.

Through their Ground for Hope event, over 100 people from different religious backgrounds came together to learn:

  1. How their institution can grow gardens that provide food for the needy,
  2. Opportunities to save energy & money in their buildings, and
  3. Ways to inform their communities about sustainability issues.

Inspiring and educational, it was a great opportunity for people of different faiths to meet local sustainability leaders and recognize that stewardship of our environment is a goal shared commonly by all. See Greenfaith.org.

Proud to have been a part of organizing this great event!

Filed Under: Faith, New York Tagged With: agriculture, building, community, eco, education, energy, environment, environmental, faith, food, gardening, green, hope, LI, local, long island, religion, stewardship, sustainability, temple

Primary Sidebar

Proud member of The Just Green Partnership

Footer

Green Inside and Out (GIAO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Long Island, NY and supported by your donations.
Find Out More About Us...

About Us

Green Inside and Out (GIAO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Long Island, NY and supported by your donations.

Subscribe to our newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Social Media

All Links

  • Homepage
  • About
  • Compost
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Videos & Media
  • Radio Show
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

About Us

Green Inside and Out (GIAO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Long Island, NY and supported by your donations.

Subscribe

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

All Links

  • Homepage
  • About
  • Compost
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Videos & Media
  • Radio Show
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

Social Media

© 2017 Green Inside and Out. All Rights Reserved.

solar panel

Refer friends and family and get $$$

It’s easier than ever to tap into the power of solar and help make our world a brighter place. Get a $500 discount on a solar panel system installation.

With your participation, Green Inside & Out will also receive a direct $500 donation!

Get $500 Reward