Could Microplastics be in Your Apparel & Footwear Supply Chain? Join the Upcoming AAFA Webinar

Could Microplastics be in Your Apparel & Footwear Supply Chain? Join the Upcoming AAFA Webinar

Microplastics in apparel and footwear is a prominent subject for fashion brands, retailers and manufacturers. Consumer awareness of the effects of microplastic pollution on the environment is rapidly increasing. But, what can businesses with plastics in their materials supply chain do to minimise the risk of microplastic pollution from finished products?

 

AAFA Microplastics Webinar

The American Association of Footwear & Apparel (AAFA) are hosting the Discovering Microplastics webinar on 1st August 2019 2pm Eastern Time.

The one-hour webinar will feature an informative presentation by Eurofins Director of North America Softlines and Leather, Global Sales, Ben DeVito, on microplastic pollution and various restrictions and re-education programmes of countries wanting to minimise the effects of microplastics. This will be followed by a concise presentation by Eurofins | BLC Sustainability Lead, Peter Hughes, covering in-house test methods to establish microfibre discharge (shedding) from synthetic materials through laundering.

 

Register Free Today

 

What are microplastics and why are they such a pollution challenge?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic which are less than 5mm in length and can exist in a variety of forms such as pieces, particles and fibers (microfibers). Synthetic materials such as polyester, synthetic textiles and polyurethane (PU) fabric contain plastics, which have the propensity to discharge microplastics upon laundering. The small size of microplastics is the biggest problem, as this enables easy distribution from effluent discharged into waterways, and finally the ocean. Once in the ocean, microplastics can be consumed by plankton, invertebrates, fish and eventually work their way into the human food chain.

As plastics are widely used in the manufacture of many millions of consumer products including fashion items such as footwear and apparel, the pollution of microplastics is a global problem and is rising to the top of many political and organisational agendas. 

Business manufacturing synthetic products should be concerned about the potential for microplastic pollution, testing products to establish microplastic discharge and be aware of future restrictions on microplastics.

 

About the Webinar Speakers

Peter Hughes, Sustainability Lead at Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd. 

Peter leads the development of Eurofins | BLC Sustainability Services through expanding commercial opportunities, delivering specialist communication support to clients and implementing traceability systems for global supply chains. Peter is also involved with bespoke projects around circularity of leather and other materials, research into emerging material innovations for the sector and measuring the environmental impact of materials. Peter has over eleven years of experience working in the field of sustainable development with private, public and third sector clients. Peter has previously worked in the food industry specialising in sustainability issues and supply chain mapping of the ‘food to go’ sector, concentrating on improving environmental and ethical performance. He has also worked with the public sector looking to utilise existing building stock to generate power and use energy more efficiently.

 

Ben DeVito, Director, North America Softlines and Leather, Global Sales, Eurofins Product Testing               

Ben DeVito has been with Eurofins since December of 2018. He is currently the International Business Development Director: Softlines and Leather. Ben has also served as the Vice Chairman of the AAFA Product Safety Council since 2014. Prior to joining Eurofins, Ben spent 6 years in the United States Coast Guard and then entered the private sector. In his career, he has held many positions in supply chain management at Sara Lee Apparel, Charming Shoppes, Carole Hochman Design Group, UL-STR and TUV SUD. This includes key roles in Planning, Product Engineering, Finance, Production, Sourcing, Compliance and Sales. Ben has a depth of experience in supply chain management and is frequent speaker at industry events. He is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and has an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace University.

 

Don’t Miss Out - Register Your Free Place Today

The AAFA Discovering Microplastics webinar is free to attend. To avoid missing out, register your place today on the AAFA website.

19 July 2019

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