Plastic has been a topic of discussion for many years. Do we keep producing plastic materials because it’s cheap and versatile? Do we tax plastic manufacturers? Or, do we stop the production of disposable plastic products because it poses an environmental risk to wildlife and humankind? It’s a difficult call to make, especially in today’s pandemic crisis.
According to a Brandwatch 2020 study on plastic pollution, 75% of people worldwide say they’ve adopted a lifestyle that helps reduce their plastic waste. However, in light of the current COVID-19 crisis, the supply of disposable masks, visors, and gloves have skyrocketed the production of plastic. Globally, people are less concerned about the problems plastic poses on the environment. People are more concerned of their safety due to the coronavirus.
Although plastic remains burdensome across many industries worldwide, scientists are beginning to discover traces of another type of plastic hazard present in our oceans: microplastics.
Microplastics form when plastics break apart into tiny particles <5 millimeters in size. Concern surrounding microplastics involve a wildlife health risk as microplastics are ingested by aquatic life. These small beads of plastic also serve as “sponges” that may absorb other toxins in the water. They also release toxic chemicals and pollutants into waterways. Microplastics originate from a multitude of industrial sources: one of which includes synthetic fibers found in clothing.
Synthetic fibers are extremely cheap and versatile. Synthetic fibers are also non-biodegradable, and are used in 60% of clothing worldwide. Laundering synthetic textiles contributes to microfiber pollution in the oceans. Microplastic fibers leach off synthetic textiles in the wash cycle. It should be noted per garment, about 1,900 individual microfibers are released into water filtration systems after laundering. These particles are so tiny, there’s no filter that can intercept the plastic prior to entering the treated wastewater which leads to larger bodies of water. 85% of all human made debris found in oceans are due to microfiber pollution.
There are many variables that contribute to the shedding of fibers in the laundering process: how the garment is constructed, materials used, water temperature, detergent type, and size of laundry load to name a few. One study found top-loading laundry machines are responsible for releasing more microfibers than any other machine.
Due to the plastic pollution caused by laundering synthetic textiles, it is especially important for consumers to wear clothes longer between launderings. With this in mind, extending the use of textile products from a single use to seven between washes amounts to an 86% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, water and energy consumption, and time spent laundering. Functional performance features for textiles enhance product durability and maintenance value for consumers. Support brands that adopt antimicrobial features which protect everyday textiles from soiling, staining and odor — from the things that cause consumers to launder textiles frequently.
As a result, through conscious laundering practice consumers can lessen their annual contribution to the plastic pollution in the oceans.
Environmental Impacts of the Fashion Industry. (2017). Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.sustainyourstyle.org/old-environmental-impacts
Hartline, N. L., Bruce, N. J., Karba, S. N., Ruff, E. O., Sonar, S. U., & Holden, P. A. (2016, September 30). Microfiber Masses Recovered from Conventional Machine Washing of New or Aged Garments. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.6b03045?journalCode=esthag
Plastic Waste in 2020. (2020, September 10). Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.brandwatch.com/reports/2020-plastic-waste/view/?utm_source=insights
Resnick, B. (2018, September 19). More than ever, our clothes are made of plastic. Just washing them can pollute the oceans. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/19/17800654/clothes-plastic-pollution-polyester-washing-machine