Microfiber Pollution: When Washing Our Clothes Put Plastic Into Our Water

Microfiber pollution is becoming a significant problem. Thanks to the prevalence of clothes made with synthetic fibers, we probably have several pieces of them in each load of laundry. Consequently, every time we do our laundry, we’re probably releasing over 700,000 tiny plastic fibers into the water.

Synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic, nylon, and spandex are basically plastic in the form of fabric.

Since synthetic fibers aren’t dependent on land, it makes them “easier” to produce in the huge scale we’re familiar with these days. All the manufacturers need to do is buy petrochemicals and turn them into clothes. They don’t have to worry about land and time required to grow cotton crops or rear sheep for wool.

As a result, around 60% of clothing are made with synthetic fibers these days. This number is set to increase. They include anything from winter wear, fleece jackets, dresses, gowns, t-shirts, pants, tights, or even socks. Also, their non-absorbent properties make them popular in making athletic wear and moisture-wicking clothes.

It’s everywhere!

A Closer Look at Microfiber Pollution

Microfiber pollution is caused by the release of tiny plastic fibers into our environment when we wash clothes made with synthetic fibers.

As mentioned briefly in a previous post, when we do our laundry, our synthetic fiber clothes shed plastic microfibers. These microfibers wash down the drain and go into the wastewater treatment plant.

Since they’re too small to be caught by the filters in the washing machines and wastewater treatment plants, 40% eventually enter lakes, rivers, and oceans.

In fact, little bits of microfiber shed from our clothes, cleaning rags and carpets every day.

It’s no wonder plastic fibers are in the air and in our tap water. These days, we’re literally breathing and drinking plastic.

Before you run out to purchase bottled water, know that microplastic are in bottled water too. A study carried out on 11 of the most popular and widely available brands on the market found an average of 325 microplastic particles per liter of bottled water. Some of these microplastic particles would’ve come from clothes and textiles.

The Scale of the Problem

The damage doesn’t stop at water pollution and tainted water sources.

Between the number of people, and the amount of laundry done, there are an estimated 1.4million trillion microfibers in our ocean!

Once in the ocean, the microfibers act as tiny sponges that attract hydrophobic contaminants like pesticides, industrial chemicals, and motor oil.

As a result of the size of microfibers, plankton and other small marine organisms like oysters and tiny fishes often mistake them as food. Unfortunately, the consumption of these microfibers not only affects these animals’ ability to survive and reproduce, but the contaminants also bioaccumulate in the marine food chain.

And end up on our plates.

The Complexity of Microfiber Pollution

The prevalence of synthetic fibers makes it very difficult to tackle the problem. Even though companies like Patagonia are looking into microfiber pollution, most clothing companies are still ignoring the problem. After all, it is a difficult problem to tackle, and these companies love their profits.

After all, synthetic fibers are a cheaper alternative to natural fiber and can be mass-produced to meet the high demands of their customers. Fashion companies aren’t going to stop using synthetic fibers. I’m not about to blame customers though, these companies engineered these demands. Years ago, we didn’t consume clothes like a disposable commodity.

What about tackling the problem at the wastewater plant? Can’t we remove microfibers with filters at the wastewater plants before the microfiber enters the environment?

To do that, significant costs and technical challenges will be involved. Besides, wastewater sludge is often used as fertilizer. If microfibers are present in the sludge, they’ll just enter the groundwater when applied on land.

It’ll also be impossible to retrofit all the washing machines in the market with better filters. There are millions of washing machines out there! Who’ll take on the cost?

Since there isn’t an easy solution to this problem upstream, much of the change has to come from the consumer at this moment.

How to Reduce Microfiber Pollution

I think it isn’t right to suggest that people stop wearing their existing synthetic fiber clothes and replace all their clothes with natural fibers.

Firstly, doing so creates more waste. Enough clothes are going to the landfill as it is.

Secondly, not everyone has the budget to do so.

Last but not least, if over-consumption isn’t addressed, switching to natural fiber clothes would simply put new strains on the environment, mainly in the form of cotton/linen farming and sheep rearing.

At the moment, I don’t think microfiber pollution can be eliminated. These suggestions are aimed at reduction.

8 Things you can do without going out of your way:

• Favor wearing your natural fiber clothes over your synthetic fiber clothes. Similarly, choose cotton cleaning rags over polyester ones.
• Wash your synthetic clothes less often. Keep in mind that the older a synthetic garment is, the more it sheds.
• Choose clothes made with natural fibers (e.g. cotton, wool, linen, hemp, silk) when you need to buy clothes. Even cotton-polyester blends shed significantly lesser than 100% polyester or acrylic clothes.
• Reconsider fleece jackets and blankets. I know they’re warm and fluffy – but a fleece jacket can release up to 250,000 fibers per wash.
• Always dispose of lint from dryer filter into the trash – never rinse them down the drain.
• Curb your appetite for clothes. Our high consumption of lower-priced clothes is the main reason polyester is so widely used.
• Join this petition to urge companies to take responsibility for their role in microfiber pollution and improve their product design.
• Spread awareness of microfiber pollution – discuss it with your friends and family.

If you have the budget,

• Wash your synthetic fiber items in a Guppyfriend bag or similar tight-mesh bags designed to trap microfibers.
• Install a filter like the Lint LUV-R to catch microfibers.
• If you’re looking for a new washing machine, consider a front-loading one – they create lesser microfiber than top-loading washing machines.

I’m not sponsored by any of the mentioned products. They’re suggested preventative methods in authoritative sites.

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I know, I seem to be the delivery girl for bad news, but these are things we can’t afford to ignore anymore. If we want to stop drinking plastic in our water, we have to make some changes quickly.

Even then, we’ll still be drinking plastic for a while. However, if we do nothing, the amount of plastic we and the ocean consume will just keep increasing.

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