Ethical underwear UK: the best underwear, lingerie and sleepwear brands laid bare
When it comes to our health, we are increasingly aware of what we eat and drink – but how much do you think about toxin-free and microplastic-free workout clothes?
Many of us do not realise that activewear, and even yoga mats, can be full of toxic chemicals and microplastics. Research is increasingly showing these materials are not just harmful to the planet, they are also impacting our health every time we use and wash them.
‘Forever Chemicals’: stretch, colour and stain-resistance
Chemicals are added to workout clothes for a whole variety of reasons – for example, to improve a product’s colour, stretch, durability or resistance to stains and wrinkles. These often include heavy metals, flame retardants, plasticisers like phthalates, and Polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) [1]. PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals”, are often used in water-resistant leggings. They do not break down, and exposure has been linked to hormone disruption, liver damage, and some cancers [2].
Even a 100% cotton top is not always chemical-free. If it is grown conventionally, it is likely to have been sprayed with pesticides. It’s not news that cotton has been dubbed ‘the world’s dirtiest crop’. A staggering 16% of the insecticides and 10% of pesticides used worldwide are for farming cotton, according to the Soil Association. The chemicals are linked to cancer, neurological diseases and serious health issues for farmers and people living near cotton production [3].
‘Microplastics’: polyester, nylon, and spandex
Popular brands for workout wear often blend polyester or nylon with spandex to create clothing that has added features, such as extra stretch, managing sweat and quick-drying.
However these materials are a significant cause of microplastics, which are now found in our oceans, soil, air, tap water, and even human blood. Most microfibres are released in the first few washes. A cause for concern is that unlike organic matter, they do not break down – they accumulate [4].
Researchers account microplastics as a leading cause for many detrimental health effects including, but not limited to, DNA damage, endocrine disruption, developmental issues and neurotoxicity [5].
A recent U.S. report revealed 60% of clothing globally is made from plastic-based fibres, most of which shed microplastics and contain harmful chemicals [6]. Meanwhile, 66% of textile waste ends up in landfills, where cheap and ‘throwaway’ synthetic garments release greenhouse gases and leach toxins into soil and water [7].
As awareness grows, regulatory bodies are beginning to act. The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan is pushing to eliminate harmful textile inputs like PFAS and microplastics [8]. But change is slow, and so for now the burden falls to consumers to choose better.
The alternative: toxin-free and microplastic-free workout clothes
Clean, biodegradable materials do exist. Organic cotton which is grown without toxic pesticides and processed without formaldehyde or heavy metals, is safer for farmers, ecosystems, and our skin. Other natural fibres like hemp, TENCEL™ and wool can biodegrade without polluting the soil or shedding plastic.
Unfortunately, more brands are not using these fibres because synthetic alternatives are cheaper, more scalable, and better suited to fast fashion (including workout wear) demands, despite their environmental drawbacks [9].
Even more sadly, the growing demand for sustainable fashion has also opened the doors to ‘greenwashing’, which are misleading claims that make a product seem more eco-friendly than it really is. It can be hard to spot, but can often be found amongst vague terms like ‘eco’, ‘green’ or ‘non-toxic’ without proof or certification. Some brands might promote their ‘recycled packaging’ while their clothes are synthetic and full of chemicals [10].
Cradle to Cradle: designed for human and environmental health
That’s why I created Wellicious, a London-based activewear brand that has been at the forefront of the materials movement. Following six years of development, we have created yoga and activewear that is Cradle to Cradle Certified®.
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute certifies products based on five core areas of sustainability: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. This certification ensures products are designed for both human and environmental health throughout their entire life cycle, aiming for a closed-loop system where materials can be perpetually reused without losing quality [11].
Our products are certified Gold, guaranteeing they have met standards for safety, circularity, and social responsibility throughout their entire lifecycle, from design to end-of-life. Our material health is Cradle to Cradle Certified® Platinum [12], which means our garments are made from organic cotton and a fully biodegradable stretch yarn. At the end of their life, the pieces can be composted, without releasing microplastics or toxic waste [13].
Sustainable certifications are essential because they offer third-party proof that a product meets verified environmental and ethical standards, helping consumers avoid vague or misleading greenwashing claims. In addition to Cradle to Cradle, other certifications I look for include: GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, and Fairtrade. These cover issues such organic materials, chemical safety, ethical labour and responsible manufacturing.
A healthy workout wardrobe: the bottom line
The bottom line is that it’s not enough to look good; clothes should do good too. Moving to toxin-free and microplastic-free materials is about health – for us, our children, and the planet. As consumers, we have more power than we think and every garment we choose is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
References
[1] https://www.earthday.org/toxic-textiles-the-chemicals-in-our-clothing/
[2] https://vibrant-wellness.com/blog/-decoding-pfas-how-forever-chemicals-affect-hormonal-balance
[3] Live Frankly article: Organic cotton
[4] https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/microplastics-from-textiles-towards-a
[5] Live Frankly article: Is recycled plastic clothing really the answer to fast fashion problems?
[6] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/fashions-tiny-hidden-secret
[8] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en
[9] https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/fast-fashions-addiction-synthetic-fibres
[11] https://c2ccertified.org/
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