Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, and microplastics are a significant contributor. These tiny particles, measuring less than 5mm, are released from various sources, including larger plastics, car tires, skincare products, and notably, our clothing. Synthetic fabrics like polyester are major culprits in shedding microplastic fibers, especially during laundry. A single wash of synthetic garments can release up to 1 million fibers, and these particles eventually end up in our oceans, contributing to environmental degradation and even impacting ecosystems and human health. With plastic's longevity in the environment, the accumulation of these microscopic particles poses a significant challenge. While natural fibers are an alternative, reducing microfiber shedding through manufacturing methods and responsible laundry practices can also help mitigate this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of total world fibre production | Polyester and polyamide account for about 60% |
| Fabrics made from polyester | Shirts, pants, jackets, hats, bed sheets, blankets, upholstered furniture, computer mouse mats, pillows, comforters, stuffed animals, upholstery padding, car tire reinforcements, fabrics for conveyor belts, safety belts, coated fabrics, plastic reinforcements, etc. |
| Effect of detergents on microplastic release | Napper and Thompson and De Falco found that detergents increase the release of microplastic particles, while Pier and colleagues reported that detergents had no significant effect |
| Effect of fibre friction, shape, thickness, stiffness, and abrasion resistance on shedding | Zambrano et al. reported that polyester has one of the lowest abrasion resistance values compared to cellulose fibres |
| Number of fibres shed per wash | An average 6 kg washing load can release an estimated 137,951 fibres from a polyester-cotton blend fabric, 496,030 fibres from polyester, and 728,789 from acrylic |
| Number of fibres shed by fabric type | Acrylic fabric sheds the most, followed by polyester, and then a polyester-cotton blend |
| Number of microplastics ingested by humans per year | 39,000–520,000 microplastics |
| Number of fibres shed per wash (other estimates) | 700,000, 1,900, 1,000,000, and 1,020,000 (from a population of 100,000 people) |
| Effect of washing machine type on fibre shedding | Top-loading washing machines release seven times more microfibres than front loaders |
| Effect of temperature on fibre shedding | Warmer conditions have higher levels of microplastics than colder ones |
| Effect of lifestyle, population, climate, and seasonal conditions on microplastic levels | Microplastic levels are influenced by these factors |
| Effect of water hardness, water softeners, temperature, and washing machine type on fibre shedding | These factors may influence the release of textile fibres |
| Solutions to reduce microfiber shedding | Buy filters for washing machine outflow or in-drum accessories like laundry balls or bags, switch to natural fibres, pre-wash garments, brush the material, use laser and ultrasound cutting, coatings, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics in wastewater
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that are widely detected in the environment, including in wastewater. They come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris, synthetic textiles, car tires, plastic beads in skincare products, and microbeads in personal care products. Synthetic textiles, such as polyester, are a significant source of microplastic pollution, as they shed microfibers during the washing process, which then enter the wastewater.
A study by a team at Plymouth University in the UK found that an average washing load of 6 kg could release an estimated 137,951 fibers from a polyester-cotton blend fabric, 496,030 fibers from polyester, and 728,789 from acrylic. These fibers contribute to the growing problem of microplastic pollution in wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are not fully equipped to remove microplastics, and the effluent released from these plants can contain substantial amounts of microplastics, leading to their presence in freshwater sources and the drinking water supply chain.
The presence of microplastics in wastewater is a major concern due to their potential harm to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Microplastics can adsorb pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic life and potentially harmful to humans upon ingestion or inhalation. The lack of standard protocols and removal technologies for microplastics in wastewater treatment plants further complicates the issue.
Some methods to reduce microfiber shedding in laundry include using filters that can be added to the washing machine's water outflow or laundry balls that capture microfibers. While these methods may help reduce microfiber pollution in the wastewater system, they require periodic cleaning, and the captured fibers must be disposed of properly to divert plastics from wastewater.
There is a growing interest in developing "green plastic" using natural resources, such as vegetable oil, chitin, or lignin, which are highly biodegradable and biocompatible. Additionally, the recycling of PET polyester, especially from post-consumer plastic bottles, is helping to reduce the environmental impact of polyester manufacturing. However, more research and development are needed to create efficient, simple, and low-cost technologies for microplastic removal from wastewater to address this emerging public health issue effectively.
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Plastic microfibres in oceans
Plastic microfibres are tiny strands of plastic that are released from synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon, and nylon when clothes are washed. They can also be released into the air just by being worn. These microfibres are a form of microplastic, which are pieces of plastic smaller than 5mm in length.
Textiles are the largest source of primary microplastics, accounting for 34.8% of global microplastic pollution. Synthetic clothing is a major contributor, with microfibres shed from clothing, bedding, and other textiles making their way into our wastewater and, eventually, the environment. A single wash cycle can release up to 700,000 fibres from our synthetic clothes, and these microfibres have been found in high concentrations in oceans around the world.
The small size of microfibres means they can be ingested by marine animals, causing gut blockages, physical injuries, changes to oxygen levels in cells, altered feeding behaviour, and reduced energy levels, which impact growth and reproduction. They can also absorb toxic chemicals present in the water, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (PoPs), as well as chemical additives from the manufacturing process, such as plasticisers, flame retardants, and antimicrobial agents. These toxic chemicals can then enter the bloodstream and tissues of marine creatures, posing risks to their health and reproduction, and ultimately affecting entire ecosystems.
There are ongoing efforts to address the problem of plastic microfibres in oceans. These include initiatives to develop clothing that sheds fewer plastic fibres, reduce the frequency of washing synthetic clothing, and install filters in washing machines to capture microfibres in wastewater. France has taken legislative steps by mandating that new washing machines include filters to prevent synthetic clothing from polluting waterways.
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Harmful effects of microfibre ingestion
The human world relies heavily on plastic, and microplastics come from a variety of sources, including larger plastic items that break down into smaller fragments, car tires, plastic beads in cosmetics, and synthetic fibers. Synthetic textiles, such as clothing and bedding, are major contributors to global plastic pollution. These textiles shed microplastics, or microfibers, during washing and even during everyday wear, which then enter our wastewater and the environment. Polyester fabrics shed more microfibers compared to other synthetic fibers, and knitted fabrics release more fibers than woven fabrics.
The harmful effects of microfibre ingestion are far-reaching and impact both human and animal health, as well as the environment. Microfibers ingested by marine animals can cause gut blockage, physical injury, changes to oxygen levels in cells, altered feeding behavior, and reduced energy levels, which in turn affect growth and reproduction. This can have catastrophic consequences for entire marine ecosystems, with impacts traveling up the food chain and even reaching humans who consume seafood.
Studies have estimated that a person can ingest between 39,000 to 520,000 microplastic particles per year through food and beverages, with children being particularly vulnerable. It is estimated that a child could ingest more than 900 microplastic particles per year through dust alone. The health impacts of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but it is known that microplastics can absorb toxic chemicals from the surrounding water, which are then ingested by animals and enter the food chain.
To mitigate the harmful effects of microfibre ingestion, individuals can take steps such as reducing the frequency of washing synthetic clothing, choosing natural fibers over synthetic materials, and supporting legislative efforts to address this issue. Some devices, such as the Cora Ball and self-installed washing machine filters, can help capture microfibers and reduce their release into wastewater.
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Reducing microfibre shedding
While an exact number is not readily available, it is known that polyester fabrics shed a significant number of microplastic particles. These microplastics are released during the manufacturing and cleaning processes, with laundry wastewater being a major contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans.
During Manufacturing
- Brushing the material
- Using laser and ultrasound cutting
- Applying coatings
- Pre-washing garments
- Adjusting the yarn length, weave type, and seam-finishing method
During Laundry
- Spot-clean synthetic fleece instead of washing it
- Use laundry balls or laundry bags made from woven monofilaments with small pore sizes to capture microfibers
- Install a filter on your washing machine's water outflow to catch fibres before they enter the wastewater
- Create laundry instruction cards explaining the microfiber shedding issue and include them with any polyester or synthetic apparel sold
- Support legislation that requires polyester garments to bear warning labels about their potential to shed microfibres during washing
- Advocate for extended producer responsibility schemes that encourage research into reducing microfibre shedding in the fashion industry
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Biodegradable alternatives
Polyester is a synthetic fibre derived from petroleum and is a cornerstone of modern textiles. It is known for its durability, versatility, and low cost, making it a ubiquitous presence in wardrobes. However, polyester is one of the biggest contributors to global plastic pollution. An average washing load of 6 kg of polyester-cotton blend fabric can release an estimated 137,951 fibres, while pure polyester can release 496,030 fibres. These microfibres eventually end up in the environment, contaminating water and wildlife.
To address this issue, there is a growing interest in developing biodegradable alternatives to polyester. Biodegradable polyesters are often made from renewable resources like corn starch, sugarcane, or other biomass sources. For example, PrimaLoft Bio Performance Fabric is a 100% recycled and biodegradable polyester that breaks down when exposed to specific environments like landfills or oceans. Its fibres are made more attractive to the microbes present in these environments, accelerating waste elimination.
Another biodegradable alternative to polyester is natural bio-degradable fibres like lyocell, which is made from wood pulp. Lyocell shares some properties with polyester, such as strength, durability, and wrinkle resistance, making it a viable alternative for many use cases. Additionally, lyocell can be blended with other fibres like cotton and wool to enhance fabric properties.
Organic linen is another ethical and sustainable alternative to polyester. Linen is made from a plant called flax, which requires very little water to produce, making it a better choice than polyester or cotton. Organic cotton is also an option, as it does not contain the toxic chemicals that conventional cotton does, and its recycled form is the most ethical version.
Finally, consumers can opt for natural fibres instead of polyester. While natural clothing is not a complete solution, it can reduce the impact of microfiber pollution. However, it is important to note that even textiles labelled "100% natural" can contain chemical additives, so transparency in the textile industry is crucial.
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Frequently asked questions
It's hard to pinpoint an exact number as there are many variables that determine shedding rates, such as garment construction, materials used, water temperature, detergent type, fabric softener, and how full the machine is. However, one paper found that a single wash cycle could release up to 1,900 fibers from a synthetic garment, while another study estimated that washing polyester fleece could release up to 1 million fibers.
Microfibers from polyester clothing are a significant source of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and the environment. They are ingested by marine life, leading to physical injuries, changes in oxygen levels, altered feeding behavior, and reduced energy levels, which ultimately impact growth and reproduction. These effects can then travel up the food chain, including to humans who consume seafood.
Treated wastewater is often discharged into rivers and seas, carrying plastic clothing fibers with it. These microfibers are not effectively removed during the wastewater treatment process and contribute to the primary microplastic pollution in our oceans.
Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5mm in size, which can be further categorized into large microplastics (1-5mm), small microplastics (<1mm), and nanoplastics (1-100nm). Microfibers, on the other hand, are a type of microplastic released from synthetic clothing during washing, manufacturing, or even regular wear. Microfibers can be derived from any fabric composition, while microplastics specifically refer to plastic-based synthetic shedders.
There are several methods to reduce microfiber shedding during the manufacturing process, including brushing the material, using laser and ultrasound cutting, coatings, and pre-washing garments. Consumers can also take steps to minimize microfiber shedding by choosing clothing made with natural fibers or low-shedding materials. Additionally, using washing bags and reducing the use of detergent and fabric softeners can help decrease shedding during laundry.
