Brian Barton
Fleece jackets are a common type of clothing, but their environmental impact is only just beginning to be understood. When washed, these jackets can release thousands of microfibres that pass through water treatment plants and into oceans, rivers, and lakes. These microfibres are a form of microplastic pollution, which can be harmful to marine life and may eventually be consumed by humans. As the use of washing machines increases globally, so too will the number of microfibres entering the water system. This issue has prompted researchers to develop solutions, including special coatings for fabrics, improved filtering systems, and the use of biodegradable materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microfiber pollution | Comes from synthetic clothing like fleece jackets and yoga pants |
| Microfibers | Tiny strands of synthetic fibers that are a type of microplastic |
| Microplastics | Small plastic pieces smaller than 5mm long |
| Harmful effects | Microfibers can slip through filters in water treatment plants and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they are consumed by fish and other marine life, potentially leaching harmful toxins |
| Solutions | Materials that don't shed, improved filtering systems, use of methane-eating bacteria to produce biodegradable bio-polyester fibers |
| Challenges | Brands want to determine their exact contribution to microfiber pollution due to other sources like fraying fishing ropes |
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What You'll Learn
- Microfibres are a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics
- Washing synthetic fabrics releases microfibres into water treatment plants
- Microfibres can be ingested by marine life, potentially leaching harmful toxins
- Microfibres have been found in tap water and beer, and may be in the air we breathe
- Brands are working on solutions to prevent microfibre shedding and improve filtering
Microfibres are a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics
Microfibers are a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics. They are tiny strands of synthetic fibres that are generally smaller than 5mm in length—approximately the size of a grain of rice. These microfibers are shed from synthetic clothing, such as fleece jackets and yoga pants, during washing. A single wash of a polyester fleece jacket can release thousands of microfibers, which can then pass through water treatment plant filters and enter natural bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. From there, fish and other marine life ingest the microfibers, potentially exposing them to harmful toxins.
The issue of microfiber pollution is not limited to water sources; microfibers have also been detected in tap water and beer, as well as in the air in Paris. This indicates that microfibers may be present in the air we breathe on a daily basis. The research on microfibers is relatively new, having begun in 2011, but it has already raised concerns about the potential impact of these tiny plastic particles on the environment and human health.
The presence of microfibers in the environment is a growing concern, with predictions that the amount of plastic in the oceans will outweigh all the fish by 2050. This form of plastic pollution is a relatively recent discovery, with researchers only recently beginning to understand the extent of the problem. Microfibers have been found in 25% of fish examined in California, highlighting the potential impact on marine life.
To address this issue, some companies are taking initiatives to trace the microplastics that originate from their products and prevent them from entering local waterways. For example, Mountain Equipment Co-op has provided a grant to researchers at the Vancouver Aquarium to develop a tracking process for microfiber pollution. Additionally, potential solutions to the microfiber pollution problem include the development of materials that don't shed, improved filtering systems, and the use of biodegradable bio-polyester fibers produced by methane-eating bacteria.
While the problem of microfiber pollution is significant, there are ongoing efforts to address it and develop solutions. By understanding the impact of microfibers on the environment and human health, we can work towards reducing their presence in our oceans and other natural ecosystems.
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Washing synthetic fabrics releases microfibres into water treatment plants
Synthetic fabrics are a major source of microfiber pollution. Microfibers are tiny strands of synthetic fibres that are released from clothing during the manufacturing, wearing, and disposal processes, especially during washing. A single wash load can release several million microfibers, which then enter the wastewater stream and travel to water treatment plants. While advanced treatment plants can remove up to 99% of microfibers, many of these microfibers still slip through filters and make their way into rivers, lakes, and oceans. From there, fish and other marine life ingest the microfibers, which may contain harmful toxins.
The release of microfibers during washing is influenced by various factors, including fabric type, weight, and thickness. For example, woven fabrics tend to release more microfibers than knitted samples, and acrylic fibres shed more than other synthetic fibres. Additionally, the washing procedure itself plays a significant role, with pre-washing causing a higher release of microfibers compared to soaping and rinsing.
To reduce the release of microfibers during laundry, it is recommended to wash full loads instead of partial loads, as this reduces the friction between garments. Some textile manufacturers are also developing fabrics that shed less, incorporating features such as longer fibres and coatings. Devices like the Guppyfriend and the Cora Ball have been designed to reduce microfiber shedding into wastewater, although they may not be suitable for delicate fabrics.
The issue of microfiber pollution in our oceans is a growing concern. By 2050, it is predicted that the amount of plastic in the oceans will outweigh all the fish. Microfibers have been found not only in marine life but also in tap water and beer, and researchers have even discovered microfibers in the air, indicating that we may be breathing them in daily. As microfiber research is a relatively new field, starting only in 2011, further studies and innovations are needed to address this environmental problem effectively.
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Microfibres can be ingested by marine life, potentially leaching harmful toxins
Microfibres are a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics. They are tiny strands of synthetic fibres that are smaller than 5mm, which is about the size of a grain of rice. Most microfibre pollution comes from synthetic clothing, such as fleece jackets and yoga pants. When these garments are washed, they shed tiny microfibres that can travel from washing machines to local water treatment plants. While treatment plants can filter out 95 to 99 per cent of microplastics, the remaining fibres can slip through filters and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they are ingested by marine life.
A 2015 study by Patagonia found that its products shed a significant number of fibres during laundry. Since then, researchers have found microfibres in tap water in multiple countries, including the US and Germany, and in beer and the air in Paris, indicating that we could be breathing them in. A study of fish in California found microfibres in 25% of the examined fish.
These microfibres can leach harmful toxins into marine life, potentially impacting their health and the ecosystems they inhabit. While some have suggested solutions such as using materials that don't shed, improving filtering systems, or using biodegradable bio-polyester fibres created by methane-eating bacteria, the focus of many clothing brands is still on defining their culpability and addressing the issue in manufacturing.
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Microfibres have been found in tap water and beer, and may be in the air we breathe
Microfibres, a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics, have been found in tap water in several countries, including the US, Germany, and Ireland. These microfibres are tiny strands of synthetic fibres that come from larger pieces of broken-down plastic or plastic microbeads found in products like exfoliating face washes. They can also come from synthetic clothing, such as polyester fleece jackets and yoga pants, which release thousands of microfibres into the water with each wash. While water treatment plants can filter out a significant percentage of these microplastics, some still slip through the filters and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans.
The presence of microfibres in tap water is concerning, and studies have been conducted to understand the potential health risks associated with ingesting these plastic particles. In one global study, 81% of the tap water samples analyzed were found to contain anthropogenic particles, with fibres making up 98.3% of these particles. The range was 0 to 61 particles per litre, with an overall mean of 5.45 particles per litre. This ubiquity of contamination highlights the need for further research to determine the health implications and develop effective filtration methods.
In addition to tap water, microfibres have also been detected in beer. A German study found microfibres in all 24 beer brands tested, and another study found similar contamination in 12 brands of Laurentian Great Lakes beer. These findings indicate that microplastics are not only present in water but also in other consumables, raising concerns about the potential impact on human health.
Beyond water and consumables, microfibres have also been found in the air. Researchers in Paris discovered microplastic fibres falling from the air, suggesting that we may be inhaling these particles on a daily basis. The study estimated that three to ten tonnes of fibres are deposited in the city each year, and the presence of microfibres was also confirmed in people's homes. This atmospheric contamination can have far-reaching consequences, as fibres can be swept up by rain, leading to the contamination of water bodies and ecosystems.
The discovery of microfibres in tap water, beer, and the air underscores the pervasive nature of plastic pollution. It is crucial to address this issue through further research, improved filtration methods, and a reduction in plastic waste to minimize potential health and environmental risks associated with microfibre contamination.
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Brands are working on solutions to prevent microfibre shedding and improve filtering
Synthetic clothing, such as polyester fleece jackets, is a major source of microfiber pollution in the oceans. Each time these fabrics are washed, thousands of microfibers are released, which can pass through water treatment plant filters and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans.
To address this issue, some brands are developing solutions to prevent microfibre shedding and improve filtering. Here are some of the approaches they are taking:
Preventing Microfibre Shedding
During the manufacturing process, several methods can be applied to reduce microfibre shedding, such as brushing the material, using laser and ultrasound cutting, coatings, and pre-washing garments. The length of the yarn, type of weave, and method for finishing seams can also impact shedding rates. However, more research is needed to determine best practices and create industry-wide solutions.
Improving Filtering
Wastewater treatment plants are currently between 65-90% efficient at filtering microfibers. To improve their effectiveness, researchers are working on innovations to capture microfibers in these plants, preventing them from escaping into the environment.
Washing Machine Filters
Xeros Technology has developed XFilter (XF1), a filtration technology designed to be integrated into any domestic washing machine to trap microfibers released by clothes. It is engineered to work with any washing machine model and is designed to last the lifetime of the machine without replacement cartridges. While washing machine filters are considered a near-term solution, they are not a silver bullet as the captured fibers must be disposed of in the trash, eventually ending up in landfills.
Policy and Legislation
In February 2020, France became the first country to pass microfibre legislation, requiring all new washing machines to include filters from January 2025. This sets a precedent for other governments to take action and address microfibre pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Each time synthetic fabrics like polyester fleece are washed, thousands of microfibers are shed. These microfibers can pass through the filters of water treatment plants and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Microfibers are tiny strands of synthetic fibers that are a type of plastic pollution known as microplastics. They are smaller than 5 mm, which is about the size of a grain of rice.
Microfibers can be ingested by fish and other marine organisms, potentially leaching harmful toxins and retarding their growth. These toxins can then be passed up the food chain to humans who consume the fish.
There are a few potential solutions to reduce microfiber pollution:
- Using materials that don't shed as much, such as natural fibers.
- Improving filtering systems in washing machines and water treatment plants to better capture microfibers.
- Developing biodegradable bio-polyester fibers produced by methane-eating bacteria.
You can use a laundry bag, such as the Guppy Friend bag, that catches microfibers in a fine mesh. This prevents the microfibers from entering the wastewater and reaching aquatic organisms.
