Innovative and less polluting maintenance systems

As a brand, it is crucial to start thinking about this phase of the garment’s life cycle: when the garment has arrived in the hands of the consumer and it is not in our store anymore, but it continues to generate a large impact on the environment.

A good choice in terms of materials is a great start. Clothes made from “crease-resistant” fabrics, such as polyester or wool, for example, do not need to be ironed, so we can save energy, water, and CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, synthetic fabrics have another big problem: the release of microplastics during the machine wash cycle. These tiny particles come loose from synthetic garments, such as fleece and other sportswear, due to the intensity of the spin cycles that stress the fibre and given their very small size, cannot be captured by the washing machine filters, ending up directly in our seas.

There are special bags on the market for collecting microplastics during the washing cycles of clothes; brands that work with these materials could, for example, sell them along with the garments, to educate customers about responsible use and make it easier for them.

Other wise choices in terms of materials involve the temperatures and chemicals used during washing. Some fabrics can be washed at very low temperatures, resulting in energy savings, while some washes, such as dry cleaning, in addition to being an inconvenience for the customer who must necessarily go to the laundry, employ solvents that are highly polluting and hazardous to human health.