Plant Based Pigments Could Reshape Sustainable Fashion

Netflix’s The Plastic Detox is shining a light on a dirty fashion secret. While shoppers often hear about plastic fibers and packaging, the film argues that dyeing may be the most toxic step in making clothes. According to FashionUnited, the documentary follows couples trying to cut plastic exposure. It also highlights designers working to remove toxic dyes and plastic based fibers from supply chains.

That matters because color is not just a style choice. Many conventional dyes and pigments come from petrochemicals, and some can linger in water and in the body. A 2020 Water Research study, later cited in a 2022 review, found glitter can make up as much as 24 percent of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants. That is a reminder that fashion waste does not disappear when it goes down the drain.

Now Cambridge company Sparxell says there is another way. Instead of relying on synthetic dye molecules, it uses cellulose from plants to create color through structure, inspired by butterfly wings. The company says its pigments are biodegradable, plastic free, and made for industries from textiles to packaging. It also says the technology can cut water use by up to 90 percent. Recent reports say more than 25 brand pilots are underway as Sparxell moves toward tonne scale production in 2026.

That does not solve fashion’s waste problem on its own. Still, it is the kind of upstream fix the industry badly needs. If brands are serious about safer supply chains, they should stop treating toxic color as normal. Better fashion should protect public health, wildlife, and the environment. It should also prove that plant based innovation can look just as bold as the old system. Support cleaner fashion, ask brands to cut toxic color, and back more vegan design choices.

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