Crucial Reading This Week
Connecticut and Sweden regulate PFAS in clothing, clothing labels lie about fiber, and fake AI influencers target the chronically ill.
Hello dear readers!
Please enjoy this photo of a bumblee bee getting extremely intimate with this hollyhock in my garden. We hardly need science to tell us this, but if you enjoyed that image, you may enjoy this article on “soft fascination” and how nature resets the brain.
So make sure to do a little reset outside—a walk in nature, puttering around your garden with a mug of coffee, staring up at the leaves in the park—after you check out some of the more…infuriating news and info this week.
Safer and Sustainable Fashion
Should you use AI to check a brand’s sustainability claims? What about non-toxic claims? Well, I decided to ask Claude if Pact is truly non-toxic, and the only reason it said maybe not was because of…Ecocult’s reporting. So, maybe you should just ask me! (You can do that in the member chat.)
A European Commission-backed report found that more than a third of garments tested (49 out of 132) misrepresented their fiber composition on the label, either by percentages or the actual fiber contained. Garments labeled as a blend of natural and synthetic fibers and online purchases had the highest failure rate. Some garments had cheaper materials than the label said, such as polyester instead of acrylic. Many products lacked manufacturer information.
Why consumers are ditching polyester for natural fibers.
Sweden will ban PFAS in clothing starting in 2028, ahead of the European Union’s phaseout.
Connecticut is now requiring warning labels on consumer products that contain PFAS, including clothing and home textiles like rugs.
Madewell is recalling two 2024 holiday sweaters because of the risk of them catching fire. Apparently, one person reported it caught fire, though they weren’t injured. The official recall didn’t say what material the sweaters are, but I found a similar one on eBay, and it is 62% cotton, 20% viscose, and 18% nylon. Why would this be so flammable, or more flammable than other sweaters? Well, to start, fluffy cotton is flammable, and so are certain synthetics. According to Alison Matthews David’s Fashion Victims, the advent of flannel, which is brushed cotton and a cheaper alternative to naturally fire-retardant wool, led to the advent of fire retardant chemicals for textiles. Children wearing flannel nightgowns in England in the time when all families had fireplaces were catching fire with horrific consequences. All the more reason to buy animal wool sweaters for a cozy winter, instead of synthetic or cotton ones. If you want to know more about fire retardant chemicals in clothing, I did a petite investigation a few years ago.
A British brand is recalling several children’s products because of excessive cadmium.
Daniel Penny spoke to Oeko-Tex’s Ben Mead for his Non-Toxic podcast. (It’s a paid partnership, but I generally respect Ben’s opinion and it’s worth a listen!)
Take note, Americans: The EU slapped AliExpress with a fine for having counterfeit products, dangerous toys, and unsafe cosmetics on its site.
Wear clothes. Mostly trusted ones. Not too many.
Why ethical brands get bought.
Man, Canada is so nice. I would like it if we stopped slapping tariffs all over their apparel and other goods just because of one man’s volatile mood.
I love Kathryn’s idea to host a clothing auction with friends instead of a swap! Seems like it’s much more fun and feasible—and less chaotic—than a swap.
Target California has a new textile drop off that accepts everything.
Probiotic sneaker cleaner The Lab capitalizes on the trend for value for money, resale, and wellness.
Healthy Homes
I’m so inspired by this tiny sustainable home in Vermont. The layout! That painted door!
What Are You Putting in Your Body?
“They’re targeting us people with health issues.” Supplement companies are using fake AI influencers that look like doctors or Eastern medicine practitioners to convince people to buy their inferior products.
A new study linking heart health and microplastics in the blood.
Trump officials just killed proposed rules that would have regulated PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge fertilizer use on farms. (Yep, that is a thing.)
M&M’s has been struggling to go natural for its color.
What to Do About Plastic
How we could recycle everything, including plastic peanut butter jars.
Counterpoint: A plastics recycling plant closed and left behind toxic waste.
For the Pros
Articles that are in the weeds or behind a paywall.
Large fashion brands in the EU are now prohibited from destroying unsold apparel. | Sourcing Journal
H&M has launched men’s jeans made with cotton, lyocell and rayon fiber recycled from old clothing and factory waste. They’re definitely not 100% recycled, but it’s an interesting proof of concept! | Sourcing Journal
The European Union has excepted leather from anti-deforestation regulations. The leather industry argued that leather is a byproduct of meat production. And I tend to agree. | Sourcing Journal
Textile dye recovery: Can it be done? Should it be done? Doesn’t anyone even want recovered dye? | EcoTextile News
I wrote about the leather alternative startup TomTex for Wired a few years back, and I’ve been eager to see it on the market in some accessories. It’s not there yet, but it was in Iris van Herpen’s latest show. | WWD
ZDHC will shift its wastewater testing from a two-per-year schedule to a risk-based testing regime. | EcoTextile News