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Leslie Davidson

The Plastic in Our Clothes

June 9, 2022 by Leslie Davidson

The Plastic in Our Clothes is Affecting Soil Health

By Eleanor Turner, Founder of The Big Favorite

There is plastic hidden in our clothes! Disguised as polyester, elastane, lycra and other forms, it leaches microplastics into our water supplies, our food chains, and into our bodies. So how did it get there and why is it affecting soil health and our health?

Clothing and textiles are one of the primary sources of microplastics. As pressure was put on clothing to become cheaper, manufacturers and suppliers started blending polyester and other plastic fibers with natural fibers. When these partially or fully plastic textiles are manufactured, worn, washed in the laundry, and dried, they release tiny plastic fibers into the water and the air. Traditional water filtration systems are not set up to filter out these tiny plastic particles, leaching them into our water and soils. They eventually end up in our bodies. In fact, it’s estimated we eat one credit card of plastic a week. Plastic has even been found in human blood. 

Microplastics from clothing are more dangerous than what we thought for a few reasons. Plastics, including plastic-blended fabrics, contain EDCs, or Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. These chemicals interfere with the way our bodies’ hormones work. They’ve been linked to adverse health outcomes like infertility and cancer.

Over a third (35 percent) of all microplastics released into the world’s oceans are from synthetic textiles. Between half a million and a million tons of plastic microfibres are discharged into wastewater each year from the washing of synthetic clothes. These microplastics ultimately release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other water sources, and the rest of the ecosystem, including our food sources. 

Environmental contamination by microplastics is considered a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Soil ecosystems, particularly agricultural land, have been recognized as a major risk. It was found that when types of microplastics, and microplastic clothing fibers were added to soil, fewer seeds germinated, shoot height was significantly smaller, there was a decrease in soil pH, and the size distribution of water-stable soil aggregates was altered, suggesting potential changes in soil stability. The ACS study provides evidence that microplastics, and synthetic fibers affect the development of plants and crops, with potential further impacts on soil ecosystem function.

What to avoid in your clothing to help cultivate water and soil health:

You may never have checked the content label on the inside of your clothing. Each time you consider buying a piece of clothing, give it a look. When you do, you will find words like “polyester,” “nylon,” “polyamide,” “acrylic,” “elastane,” and others. These are examples of plastic materials very commonly used in clothing. Avoid clothing with these materials whenever possible and choose natural fibers like cotton, hemp, linen, wool, etc. By making the switch to plastic-free clothing, you are helping to mitigate the amount of microplastics that enter our environment, our ecosystems, and our bodies. This change shifts dollars and focus towards sustainability and away from the unethical practices of fast fashion.

Other Steps to Take: 

  1. 1. Wash your clothing at cold temperatures so that it is less likely to wash out plastic fibers.
  2. 2. Wash your clothing in a special bag like this one from Guppyfriend, which collects microfibers in the wash and prevents them from entering rivers and oceans.
  3. 3. Try air drying. Tumble drying is more aggressive and can cause your clothes to shed more plastic. 
  4. 4. Keep your clothing for longer. Your clothes are likely to shed more plastic in the first few washes. Frequently changing your wardrobe will increase the amount of plastic you’re putting in the environment. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Do you know who grows your clothes?

June 7, 2022 by Leslie Davidson

Do you know who grows your clothes?

Have you ever considered where clothing originates? Not who designs or sews it, but where it actually starts? Were the fibers grown, sprouting from the ground or off the backs of cute farm animals (natural fibers), or were they created from chemicals in a lab (artificial/synthetic fibers)?


Synthetic fibers such as spandex, nylon, polyester, lycra, etc. make up the majority of the clothing you see online and in stores because they are inexpensive to produce. These fibers are made of plastic and other toxic chemicals that are extremely harmful to our environment. Each time you wash an article of clothing made from synthetic fibers, microplastics are released into our waterways. These microplastics pollute the water and soil and harm sea life, land animals and humans. A recent study published in the journal Environment International found that 80% of the people tested had microplastic in their blood!


Less commonly found in stores, yet much safer for our environment are garments made from 100% natural fibers (fibers from either plants or animals). You may notice that clothing made from 100% natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen, etc.) are significantly more expensive than clothing made from synthetic fibers. This is because the process of growing natural fibers for textiles is labor intensive and costly. Plant fibers like cotton, linen and hemp must be planted and grown in nutrient rich soil, then harvested and processed before they can even get to the spinning stage to become yarn. Animal fibers such as alpaca, wool and mohair require great care and effort from their farmers in order to cultivate quality fibers that can be sold once the animal is sheared and the fibers are properly cleaned. This includes everything from breeding to diet and living conditions.


When shopping it is best to look for clothes made from 100% natural fibers. Not only are they
significantly less harmful to the environment than synthetic materials, they’re also biodegradable, breathable, and long lasting. Natural fibers like wool and linen even adjust to your body temperature to keep you comfortable! If you see something you believe to be “overpriced”, take into consideration the fiber content, how much effort and resources went into making the garment and how it will or already has impacted our planet.


A great way to support farmers in your community and the local economy is by purchasing clothing made in the same area or state it is sold. The state of Pennsylvania has many fiber farmers including alpaca, wool, mohair, flax(linen), hemp, and angora. You can see some of the farmers and people making fiber and clothing in the state of PA here.



All Together Now PA is an affiliate of Fibershed, a non-profit organization that develops equity-focused regional and land regenerating natural fiber and dye systems. Their work expands opportunities to implement climate beneficial agriculture, rebuild regional manufacturing, and connect end-users to the source of their fiber through direct educational offerings.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

We Want You to Soil Your Undies!

May 31, 2022 by Leslie Davidson

Development, plowing, landfilling, excessive pesticide and fertilizer use, microplastics from clothing, and more are putting soil health at risk. Soil health is vital for human health and the health of the planet.

Healthy soil is made up of billions of microscopic organisms. Just one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microbes than there are people on the planet! Soil microbes are constantly feeding on organic matter, like cotton underwear, which is why All Together Now PA is teaming up with The Big Favorite, Lancaster Water Week, The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Stroud Water Research Center, PA Soil Health Coalition and The Chesapeake Bay Foundations to ask you to SOIL YOUR UNDIES!

Here’s how to participate:

Step 1: “Plant” a pair of 100% cotton underwear by digging a hole 3 inches deep. Lay your undies flat inside the hole, and cover with soil. You can do this in your backyard, farm or large garden bed. Don’t forget to mark the spot you planted! 

Step 2: Wait at least 60 days before gently unearthing them. This gives the microbes in your soil time to do their job.

Step 3: Dig up your undies and snap a photo! Make sure to tag us on instagram @alltogethernowpa @thebigfavorite @stroudcenter @pasafarming @chesapeakbayfoundation @lancasterconservancy @soilyourundies with hashtags #soilyourundies #soilhealth #donttreatsoillikedirt or send a picture to rachel@alltogethernowpa.org.

Step 4: Store your undies in a sealed plastic bag with a small sample of your soil.


Once participants dig up their undies, the findings will be collected, measured and accessed by the State of Pennsylvania to find out just how healthy our state’s soil really is!  Once the data has been submitted, participants will receive information on how to improve the health of their soil. Stay tuned for more info on where to send your soiled undies.

Watch below for video instructions!

Need a pair of undies to bury (or 2)? Please consider purchasing them from ATN-PA Clothing &Textile Coalition member, The Big Favorite. Use the code SOILYOURUNDIES at check out to get the second pair free!

Curious to learn more about soil health reporting? Click here to view the latest report from PASA.


Filed Under: Uncategorized

Growing Pennsylvania’s Clothing & Textile Supply Chain

April 11, 2022 by Leslie Davidson

Jordan and Nicole Haddad, brother/sister duo of Philly based slow fashion brand, Lobo Mau, met Dave Cook and Heidi Custer, co-owners of the eco-friendly textile mill, Tuscarora Mills, about one year ago during one of All Together Now PA’s monthly Clothing & Textile Coalition meetings.  This introduction, initiated by coalition leader, Rachel Higgins, was exactly what Jordan and Nicole had been searching for – mills that could manufacture their textiles locally in PA. 

We had wanted to work with local mills for a long time, but didn’t have the relationships until joining All Together Now’s Clothing & Textile Coalition.” 

-Jordan Haddad, Lobo Mau Co-owner and CEO

“I contacted Dave and Heidi after one of our coalition meetings during a time when none of our suppliers were answering their phones,” says Jordan, Lobo Mau CEO and Co-owner. ”Due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, it was virtually impossible to source materials, even within the US, but luckily we were able to procure deadstock cotton from Tuscarora Mills’ which we used to make masks.”

“Sourcing materials locally has always been a dream of ours.” Jordan continues, “We had wanted to work with local mills for a long time, but didn’t have the relationships until joining All Together Now’s Clothing & Textile Coalition.” 

This new relationship between the two Pennsylvania based businesses eventually led to the production of Lobo Mau’s Spring 2022 collection, which launched on Saturday, March 12, 2022 and features sustainable home decor, a first for the fashion brand.  

“Every year we try to up our game in sustainability. Our new goal is to become more circular. I wanted to design guilt-free home decor” says Nicole, Designer and Co-Owner.

Their new collection, manufactured entirely in Pennsylvania, includes up-cycled furniture made with hemp/organic cotton from Tuscarora Mills and upholstered by Jen Tiberi as well as other home items such as tufted recycled wool rugs hand made by Land of Plenty, zero waste pillows stuffed with shredded Lobo Mau textile (a case study with University of Delaware’s Design Researcher Kelly Cobb) handmade ceramic lamps crafted by Centerpeak, and new original women’s, men’s, and plus size clothing styles made from organic USA cotton, also sourced from Tuscarora Mills.  


 “Overconsumption and waste is a major problem, and I didn’t want to be another contributor,” says Jordan. “By expanding into home decor, we are able to close the loop by down-cycling our production remnants; using this shred to stuff pillows, as well as up-cycle things that already existed in the world – like furniture, deadstock fabric, and recycled wool.”

This important connection between values-aligned PA small businesses is just one example of the amazing work Clothing & Textile Coalition leader, Rachel Higgins, has been tirelessly facilitating. In February, after many months of research, Rachel launched the first part of the clothing and textile supply chain map on our website, a project partially funded by Fibershed, a nationwide nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop regional fiber systems that build soil & protect the health of our biosphere. The map is a free resource for businesses in the industry who would like to easily find other small farmers and businesses to source their materials from in and around PA. 

Additionally, in collaboration with Keystone Development Center, the coalition is investigating the potential to form co-ops or other ways in which we can support fiber farmers in the region. 

When asked why she is so focused on connecting local farmers and businesses in PA, Higgins had an easy answer: “There are a lot of people with incredible skills in our area who are not being paid what they deserve. It’s important we support local entrepreneurs and help each other to succeed. Local supply chains allow transparency in how workers are treated and if they are paid living wages.” 

Judy Wicks, Founder of All Together Now PA, piggybacks Higgin’s sentiment, adding, “Building local supply chains that produce our basic needs close to home moves power and wealth from outside corporations to our own communities, increasing regional self-reliance and resiliency.”  

Pictured: Clothing & Textile Coalition Members gathered at the Lobo Mau Studio space
Janell Wysock, Jordan and Nicole Haddad (Lobo Mau), Judy Wicks (ATN-PA), Kimberly McGlonn (Grant BLVD), Heidi Custer (Tuscarora Mills), Rachel Higgins (ATN-PA), Leslie Davidson (ATN-PA), Dave Cook (Tuscarora Mills)

You can shop Lobo Mau’s  new collection online at Lobomau.com and at its flagship brick and mortar, Lobo Mau Flagship, located at 700 S 6th St., Philadelphia 19147.

One-of-a-kind up-cycled furniture pieces can be shopped at The Modern Republic at 1600 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA.

Click here for more information on our Clothing&Textile Coalition.

Want to get involved? Check out our events calendar to attend future in person events.

Upcoming Clothing&Textile Coalition Events:

  • April 21st– Sustainable Fashion Week x ATN-PA Discussion Panel at Building Bok
  • April 24th– Sustainable Fashion Week X ATN-PA Clothing Swap at The Discovery Center
  • April 25th- Hemp Fiber to Fabric Zoom Meeting
  • May 19th– ATN-PA X Walnut Club Clothing Swap at FabScrap/Bok Bar

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2021 Scrapbook

January 12, 2022 by Leslie Davidson

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Why Flax?

June 22, 2021 by Leslie Davidson

Everyday, each of us wakes up and picks out an outfit to wear for the day. From our underwear to our jacket, we identify with the clothes we choose to put on our bodies; they make us feel comfortable and give us a sense of individuality. While some of us put a lot of thought into our outfits, we rarely think about the origin of the fabric itself and the many steps it goes through before it becomes our clothing.

When it comes to natural fibers, one must remember that it all starts from a little seed or animal, a living thing which must be tended to and cared for by it’s farmer to enable it to grow, be harvested, and eventually turned into usable fiber. This fiber is then cleaned, spun into yarn, woven or knitted into a textile, then dyed, cut, and finally sewn into a garment, all before it makes its way into our closets. 

All Together Now PA’s Clothing and Textiles Coalition is working to build local supply chains that connect fiber farming with the reemerging hemp and flax industries. This mission has led us to partner with the Pennsylvania Flax Project, a collaboration between Kitchen Garden Textiles and Kneehigh Farm, on our upcoming Flax Field Dinner.  Just like ATN-PA, the PA Flax Project is committed to uniting urban and rural communities to build local self-reliance in fiber and textiles, creating greater prosperity for our farmers and local makers.

Why is flax important?

Flax is the plant used to make linen, a beautiful textile that, like hemp, is long lasting, breathable, antimicrobial, absorbent, extremely durable and has a rich history in the state of Pennsylvania. Flax grows easily in the PA region and does not require any harmful pesticides. Not only is it a fast crop for farmers to grow (less than 3 months), it also remediates the soil by removing lead. Because of this, flax fiber serves as a great case study for a fully local supply chain for textiles in PA.

How does The Flax Project help to create a local supply chain?

The PA Flax Project is working to revive the textile industry in Pennsylvania. Flax production has the ability to recreate our once vibrant textile economy and bring back localization to our clothing. While linen is no longer manufactured locally, we do have a wide variety of yarn mills and weavers all around the state of Pennsylvania, which we aim to bring together and unite in our shared mission of creating a fully local supply chain for this sustainable textile. 

Click here to reserve your seat for our Flax Field Dinner on July 11th, a fundraising event supporting the Pennsylvania Flax Project.

Written by Rachel Mednick Higgins, edited by Leslie Davidson

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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