Preventing microfibres from our clothes polluting the natural environment
13 May 2021
By Tanya Reed
The public and scientific community are becoming increasingly aware, and concerned, about the potential impact of microplastics on the natural environment and human health1.
With reports that we could be ‘consuming over 2000 pieces of plastic every week'2 it’s reassuring to know that the European Food Standards Agency held a scientific colloquium to assess the human health risks of micro-and-nanoplastics in food this month and we look forward to hearing the outcomes from that in due course3.
Microplastic pollution comes from many sources, and one area where Matter is actively focused is the prevention of microfibres from laundry. All our clothes shed fibres when they are washed. In the UK alone it’s estimated that at least 9 trillion microfibres, from all material types, are released into the wastewater system every week4 and with 64% of new clothing being made from plastic derivatives,5 microplastic fibres are now the single biggest source of primary microplastics entering our oceans every year6.
Permanent solutions need to be found, so we welcome being part of multi-stakeholder groups, working together to tackle this growing problem. One of those groups is the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics (APPG), coordinated by the Women’s Institute, who are reviewing a range of policy recommendations to stem microplastic pollution. This includes whether the UK should align with French legislation, where all new washing machines will need to be fitted with a microfibre filter by 2025.
A recent UK study by the Marine Conservation Society states that 81% of people support legislation to make microfibre filters mandatory in washing machines, but until the availability and fitting of filters becomes widespread we encourage everyone to become more informed of the microfibre problem and consider taking some simple steps when considering their laundry:
- Question whether everything in that laundry mountain really needs to be there. Rely on the look, smell and feel of clothes before putting them in the wash. Hanging clothes at the end of the day and letting them air often avoids the need of washing and means you aren’t washing clothes just because they are crumpled.
- Use a more environmentally wash cycle. Research by the University of Leeds has shown that shorter and cooler washes release up to 52% less microfibres into washing machine wastewater and cut dye release by 74%.7
- Line Dry. With summer here, line drying is far better than tumble drying. Not only will this save you money, but the saved energy will reduce your carbon emissions. The sun also does a brilliant job of whitening your whites without any harsh chemicals.
- Fill up your washing machine. Washing a full load results in less friction between the clothes and fewer fibres released.
- Add your name to the Marine Conservation Society’s petition for microfibre filters to be fitted in washing machines.
- Share the issue of microfibre fragmentation with your friends and family. This movie is an easy way to learn about the issue.
We are keen to work with companies in fashion, apparel and textiles, as well as in recycling, resource recovery and sustainable materials. If you and your organisation want to help solve the microfibres problem, please join us.
