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there is definitely also a fashion side to it, plus the sports/recreational side
Really struggling to wean myself off synthetic textiles for exercise (not just cycling). It's not so much the CO2 impact of producing the clothes I own. That is probably comparable the CO2 footprint of all the supermarket packaging and other kinds of rubbish I throw out in a month. But I hate to think about the microplastics that go into the sewage system whenever I wash them.
Merino is the answer I know, but cost and availability makes it hard to make the switch.
starfish&coffee-
Really struggling to wean myself off synthetic textiles for exercise … Merino is the answer I know…
Is it really though.
I’ve had a couple merino cycling tops, they didn’t last very long.
In contrast I have about 5 cheap as shit synthetic karrimor t shirts that Ive been wearing day in day out for cycling, running, hiking, at work, basically anytime I expect to get sweaty for about 5 years. The logos wore off (probably in the wash) long ago but apart from that and maybe the odd pull in the material, they look like new. I can’t believe they are leeching micro plastics in the wash because they’ve all been washed so often there’s be nothing left off then off they were. And there’s no way something like a cotton t shirt would have lasted anything like as long under similar use, I’ve worn through countless t shirts wearing them for much less hard wearing activities while owning these synthetic ones.
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Really struggling to wean myself off synthetic textiles for exercise (not just cycling).
I'm not sure Merino wool is the answer in general, other than for inner layers where it seems to work well.
In a similar way to @M_V my Buffalo fibre pile clothing has been in constant hill walking, plus winter cycling, use since the early 2000s and only now is reaching end-of-life. I have fleece pullovers that have almost no signs of use after a decade.
I love the buy-it-once aspect of these kinds of synthetics, but they need to be modified in sourcing and end-of-life disposal. Unfortunately, I think microplastics in washing are an issue as small quantities in each wash are scaled up by the population size.
I would like to see plant-derived synthetic alternatives that are eventually biodegradable, e.g., eco versions of micro-fleeces and fibre pile fabrics. As one example, Elite are doing this with their Jet Biodegradable Water Bottle.
M_V
Nick_S
There's an interesting article about the environmental impact of bicycles in today's Guardian. What do people on here think? I mean, cycling is obviously greener - but there is definitely also a fashion side to it, plus the sports/recreational side is not necessarily very eco-friendly (depends what your comparison is). And then there's ongoing consumption (all those burst inner tubes!!), and also the associated non-ecofriendly stuff that accompanies the industry... I'm also thinking of the waste and carbon production from stuff like the caravan that accompanies the Tour de France and other races.
So, should cycling be greener? Can it be? How??
PS, I did think about posting this in e.g. climate change thread, but this seems to be a bit of a different topic.