A recent experiment conducted by sustainability expert Joanna Czutkowna has drawn attention to the environmental durability of modern football jerseys. By burying a Manchester United jersey, a cotton T-shirt, and a wool-cotton jumper in soil for one year, Czutkowna sought to demonstrate the difference in decomposition rates between synthetic and natural materials.

Upon digging up the items after 12 months, the results showed that the natural fiber garments had largely broken down. The cotton T-shirt had disintegrated almost entirely, leaving only polyester seams, while the wool-cotton jumper was approximately 80% decomposed. In contrast, the football jersey remained largely intact, appearing only dirty but otherwise structurally sound.

Czutkowna, who has two decades of experience in the textile industry, noted that the results were expected. The experiment serves as a practical demonstration of the challenges posed by synthetic materials in the fashion and sportswear industries. Because football jerseys are typically manufactured from polyester—a plastic-based material—they do not break down in the environment, leading to concerns about the long-term waste footprint of the sports apparel market. The findings underscore the tension between the high-turnover nature of sports merchandising and the environmental impact of non-biodegradable clothing.