Microfibers in the Rinse
Image of collected fibers, courtesy of PLoS One.
What’s the latest on microfiber pollution in the ocean? A new study in PLoS One finds that US and Canadian laundry machines are dumping an estimated 22,000 metric tons of fibers each year. That’s the equivalent of about 583 gray whales of ocean pollution coming out in the rinse annually. The good news is that not all fabrics shed at the same rates. And there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to reduce waste.
Microfibers are mucking up our waterways. It is estimated that 1.5 million trillion microfibers are in the ocean already. They accumulate everywhere from the shore to the deep sea. They do not degrade easily. They are mistaken for food by the tiniest ocean creatures and create stressors all the way up the food chain and onto our dinner plates. It’s a big problem with no easy solution.
Ocean Wise Conservation Association and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition conducted this study as a step toward identifying more sustainable fabric design. They collected 37 textile samples from Mountain Equipment Co., Arc’teryx, Patagonia and REI. The researchers put the swatches to the test, conducting 5 washes, and then collected and analyzed the rinse water.
While all fabrics, both synthetic and natural, shed during the laundering process, there were some clear differences in how certain materials performed. Mechanically-treated polyester samples released six times more microfibers than did the nylon samples with tighter weaves. It turns out that those irresistibly soft, synthetic fleeces and flannels may be the worst offenders for ocean health.
While natural fibers are known to degrade in wastewater treatment plants and in the environment, they are not entirely off the hook. The researchers noted that natural fibers are also being detected in remote ocean regions warranting further study.
While major retailers work toward finding more sustainable apparel options, homeowners can take a few steps to keep microfibers from reaching the drain. The study looked at two widely-available water filtration devices that attach to washing machine hoses and filter the waste water before it reaches the sewer or septic system. The devices used in this study, Lint LUV-R© and Filtrol©, were found to collect up to 90% of the polyester fibers and 46% of the nylon fibers before they reached the drain.
Further, the EPA recommends washing clothes less frequently and using fuller loads. Cold, short cycles dramatically lessen fiber shedding. Front loading washers, which cause less friction and therefore less fiber waste, are the better option.