The DOI matches its Crossref record; 97 of the 98 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Natural or Synthetic—How Global Trends in Textile Usage Threaten Freshwater Environments
Open accessAbstract
As the global demand for textiles increases, so to do the potential environmental impacts that stem from their production, use and disposal. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly at risk: rivers often act as the primary recipients of waste generated during the production of textiles and are subject to pollutants released during the broader lifecycle of a textile product. Here, we investigate how global technological and societal processes shape the way we produce, use and dispose of textiles, and what this means for the environmental quality and ecological health of freshwaters. We examine two predominant 'natural' and synthetic textiles (wool and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), respectively), and find that risks to freshwater ecosystems vary throughout the lifecycle of these textiles; and across geographies, in-line with regulatory and economic landscapes. Woollen textiles pose most risk during the Production Phase, while PET textiles pose most risk during the Use and Disposal Phases. Our findings show that: (i) both 'natural' and synthetic textiles present substantial challenges for freshwater environments; and (ii) bespoke solutions are needed in areas of the world where the global division of labour and less stringent environmental regulations have concentrated textile production; but also in regions where high textile consumption combines with unsustainable disposal behaviours. Effective mitigation may combine technological advances with societal changes in market mechanisms, regulations, textile use and disposal.
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“Moreover, the degradation of natural and semisynthetic fibers causes the release of toxics adsorbed (i.e., textile dyes) to the surface into the environment [90,91].”
From Is Wild Marine Biota Affected by Microplastics? (2022) · cites this paper as [91]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Stone, C., Windsor, F. M., Munday, M., & Durance, I.
- Affiliations
- Cardiff University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Durance, Isabelle
- Venue
- Science of The Total Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-05
- Volume
- 718
- Pages
- 134689
- ISSN
- 0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2990757608
- Cited by
- 173
- References
- 98
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 4
- FWCI
- 6.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) (cc-by)
- Funders
- Natural Environment Research Council (1642617, NE/L002434/, L002434)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Keywords
- textile industry, freshwater ecosystems, wool, polyethylene terephthalate, synthetic textiles, natural textiles, textile waste, environmental risk assessment, life cycle assessment, environmental regulation, international division of labor, river pollution, sustainable consumption
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