Microfiber pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues tied to the fashion industry. Tiny synthetic fibers released from clothing during washing or production enter water systems and, ultimately, oceans. These microplastics have been found in marine organisms, drinking water, and even human blood, raising concerns for both planetary and human health.
To address this growing problem, Adidas, Levi’s, Under Armour, and several other fashion leaders have launched “Behind the Break”, an initiative focused on finding the root causes of microfiber shedding during textile production—not just after garments reach consumers.
The scale of the problem
According to The Microfibre Consortium, textiles are one of the leading sources of microplastic pollution globally. Up to 35% of primary microplastics in oceans are believed to originate from synthetic textiles. Polyester, one of the most widely used fibers, is particularly problematic due to its durability and high shedding rate.
While consumers are often urged to wash clothes less frequently or use special filters, industry experts now say it’s time to tackle the issue further upstream during the design and manufacturing phase.
The ‘Behind the Break’ initiative
Launched in March 2025, “Behind the Break” brings together eleven companies including Adidas, Levi’s, Under Armour, Inditex (Zara), Kering (Gucci), On, and others. They are partnering with sustainability nonprofits like Fashion for Good and The Microfibre Consortium to investigate fiber fragmentation during textile production.
The project is focused on understanding how fibers break off from different types of fabric such as cotton knit, cotton woven, and polyester knits during industrial manufacturing processes. The goal is to identify critical stages in production that cause shedding and to redesign materials or machinery accordingly.
“This collaboration allows us to align around shared challenges and test solutions in a pre-competitive space,” said Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good.
Why it matters
The data collected will help improve product durability, reduce environmental impact, and potentially inform future policy and regulation. Participating brands hope to eventually create industry standards for reducing fiber loss at the source.
Lucie Anne Martinol from On summarized it best: “We want to use science and collaboration to make design decisions that limit pollution before it happens.”
A step toward circular fashion
Reducing microfiber shedding also ties into larger efforts toward a circular fashion system where waste is minimized, materials are reused, and pollution is no longer seen as a byproduct of style.
As more brands commit to transparency and innovation, initiatives like “Behind the Break” offer hope that fashion can clean up its act, literally, starting from the thread up.
