Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, and half of it is designed to be used once and thrown away. That throwaway culture is costing us. Big time.
This year’s World Environment Day is all about tackling the plastic crisis head-on, with the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign calling on businesses, governments, and everyday people to take action.
Here at Printed by Us, we’re not perfect, but we are trying hard to be part of the solution. Our goal has always been to make things with care: for the people who create them, and for the world they end up in.
👕 Our Approach to Plastic-Free Clothing
One major way we’re reducing plastic waste is by refusing to use synthetic fabrics. Polyester might be cheap and popular, but it sheds tiny plastic fibres (called microplastics) every time it’s washed. These fibres end up in rivers, oceans, and even in the food we eat and the water we drink.
Recent studies suggest we’re each consuming over 50,000 plastic particles per year, even more if you count what we breathe in.
That’s why we only print on 100% cotton garments, choosing organic cotton wherever possible. No plastic-based fibres, no sneaky blends. Just breathable, biodegradable fabric made to last.
💧 Cleaner Printing with Water-Based Inks
Our commitment to low-impact materials doesn’t stop at the garments themselves. Screen printing can be a wasteful process, but we use Permaset water-based inks—free from harmful chemicals, solvents, and plastic resins.
These inks are GOTS-certified organic, vegan, and made in a solar-powered facility. They give us bold colours without the toxic waste, and they’re better for both the environment and the people working with them.
After printing, any leftover ink is then scraped back into mix pots for us to use next time!
🗑️ From Waste to Artwork
When it comes to our screen prints, we’ve taken a recycled route too. All our artwork is printed on 270gsm recycled card from G.F. Smith, made in the UK from post-consumer waste.
It’s sturdy, beautiful, and keeps unnecessary paper and packaging out of landfill.
And if you order a framed print? Our friends at APG Works hand-make each frame from reclaimed or offcut wood, using cut-to-size glass and zero plastic packaging.
👣 Slowing Things Down
Every product we make, whether it's a t-shirt, a tote, or wall art, is produced locally, by people who are paid a Real Living Wage and given support to rebuild their lives through creative work.
This approach means we're not mass-producing anything. We're not jumping on trends or making landfill-bound fashion, we create small batch and limited edition products, including exclusive sales of our misprints and samples. We're choosing quality over quantity, always.
We believe the best way to tackle waste is to produce less, and value more.
📣 The Bigger Picture
Around 11 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in our oceans, lakes, and rivers every year—that’s the same weight as 2,200 Eiffel Towers.
Discarded plastic is being found everywhere: from Arctic ice to mountain soil. And it’s hurting marine life, polluting the air, and even showing up in the human bloodstream.
But here’s the good news: we’ve got the knowledge and the tools to turn this around. World Environment Day 2025 is a reminder that we can refuse, reduce, reuse, and rethink the way we consume plastic.
We’re proud to be part of a growing community of people and businesses who are choosing better.
💬 What You Can Do
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Look for plastic-free clothing, that means ditching polyester and supporting brands that prioritise natural fibres
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Avoid fast fashion (yes, even the “eco” collections), and choose things made to last
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Ask brands questions about their materials, packaging, and waste
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Cut down on single-use plastics in your daily life, such as water bottles, plastic-wrapped groceries, throwaway packaging
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Share the facts, and spread the message
At Printed by Us, we're not trying to be perfect. We're just trying to make good things, the right way, and we're grateful you're with us on that journey.
This World Environment Day, let’s keep pushing forward. Let’s beat plastic pollution together.
