Combating Plastic Pollution in Waterways

Milwaukee, Wis. (September 10, 2024) – Mount Mary University has received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Sea Grant College Program and Marine Debris Community Action Coalition. This funding will allow fashion students to explore sustainable fabrics and alternatives to synthetic materials, which contribute significant pollution into ground water each year.

The project will be a collaborative effort led by Wisconsin Sea Grant (WSG) and will run for two years beginning in September 2024. Assistant professor of fashion Jessica Frantal will work with WSG to develop educational materials which will be used in ongoing efforts to bring attention to impacts of microfibers on water quality, as well as large scale issues of sustainability and waste reduction within the fashion industry.

Funding will provide students with materials that would be otherwise cost prohibitive, such as plant-based leathers from sources like pineapples and mushrooms, in addition to other natural fiber fabrics.

Frantal sees the project as an opportunity to raise awareness about the threat to waterways from microplastic waste produced by synthetic fabrics. She sees the university’s location near the Great Lakes and its commitment to driving social change as unique factors in its selection for this opportunity.

“There is a growing apprehension of microplastics in general and in fashion specifically,” said Frantal. “We hope that this project will get people to consider the impact of their purchasing decisions.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.