Researchers from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth are launching the first study to investigate the environmental impacts of counterfeit football shirts. With growing concern over the environmental and health impacts of microplastics, one of the questions the research will address is whether counterfeit shirts shed more microplastics than genuine kits.
Funded by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the research will compare the environmental impacts of counterfeit and authentic football shirts, helping to address a major evidence gap surrounding the hidden environmental consequences of counterfeit products. In addition to microplastic shedding, the project will examine how counterfeit shirts are disposed of and how they contribute to the problem of textile waste.
The project is particularly timely in the context of the FIFA World Cup, when demand for football shirts, both authentic and counterfeit, is especially high. Although the social harms of counterfeit markets, including the exploitation of workers by organised criminal networks are increasingly well documented, their environmental impacts remain poorly understood. Researchers say that claims counterfeit goods are more harmful to the environment have rarely been supported by robust scientific evidence.
Textile waste is a growing environmental challenge, yet the contribution of counterfeit clothing is often overlooked. We suspect it plays a much larger role than is currently recognised. Our goal is to generate independent, scientific evidence that is credible and trusted by both industry and the public.
Dr Kate Whitman, Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth and project lead
The University team will carry out an integrated environmental assessment, which measures the energy and carbon impact of each product throughout its life cycle, and investigates whether counterfeit shirts release higher levels of microplastic fibres during use than genuine kits. Alongside this, the researchers will investigate which messages are most effective at discouraging consumers from buying counterfeit products.
The findings will provide policymakers, environmental organisations and brands with evidence to help shape future enforcement, public awareness campaigns and strategies to reduce demand for counterfeit goods.
Dr Kate Whitman , from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth and project lead, said: "Textile waste is a growing environmental challenge, yet the contribution of counterfeit clothing is often overlooked. We suspect it plays a much larger role than is currently recognised. At the same time, the public can be sceptical of claims about the harms of counterfeiting because they often come from organisations with a commercial interest in selling authentic products. Our goal is to generate independent, scientific evidence that is credible and trusted by both industry and the public."
The textile industry is a significant source of microplastic pollution as synthetic garments shed tiny plastic fibres during manufacturing, everyday wear and most notably laundering. Many of these fibres are too small to be fully captured by wastewater treatment systems, allowing them to enter aquatic environments and agricultural soils. Over time, these microplastics accumulate in the environment, posing risks to wildlife and human health.
Felicity Webster, Research Associate, Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth
Felicity Webster , Research Associate, at the Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth said: "The textile industry is a significant source of microplastic pollution as synthetic garments shed tiny plastic fibres during manufacturing, everyday wear and most notably laundering.
"Many of these fibres are too small to be fully captured by wastewater treatment systems, allowing them to enter aquatic environments and agricultural soils. Over time, these microplastics accumulate in the environment, posing risks to wildlife and human health. This study will explore whether there are measurable differences in microplastic shedding between counterfeit and genuine football shirts, providing new insight into the environmental impacts of sportswear production."
The project will produce a report for the Intellectual Property Office, an academic publication and a stakeholder workshop, providing new evidence to support future policy and public engagement on counterfeit goods and their environmental impacts.
