MICROFIBERS & TEXTILES

More than 60% of the clothes we wear today are made of plastic. Common fibers like nylon, spandex, and polyester are derived from fossil fuels and, like all plastics, don’t break down in the environment. Microfibers shed from our clothes when we wear, wash, and dry them, making their way into our air, waterways, ocean, food, and bodies. 5 Gyres continues to narrow the focus on this microscopic polluter through scientific research to understand the issue and develop solutions, expeditions and symposiums with experts in the field, and policy work backed by our science that proves filtration is a viable solution.

Did you know?

WHAT ARE MICROFIBERS?

Microfibers are tiny threads that shed from the clothing we wear every day, and up to 18 million can be released during every wash cycle. Microfibers can be natural (cotton, wool, linen, hemp, silk), semi-synthetic (rayon, modal, viscose), or synthetic (polyester, nylon, spandex, lycra). Once released, microfibers travel to wastewater treatment plants, where they can enter the environment. Microfibers are found in the ocean, agricultural lands, wildlife, air, drinking water, and even human lungs.

THE GOOD NEWS: FILTRATION WORKS!

Our research shows that washing machine filters are a proven solution that can dramatically reduce the amount of microfibers entering the environment. Although the textile issue overall requires bigger solutions, like implementing sheddability standards and producing less in the first place, filtration is an easy and cost-effective solution that has a big impact. 5 Gyres co-sponsored AB 1628 (McKinnor), which would have required new washing machines in California to contain a microfiber filtration system by 2029. Governor Newsom vetoed this bill, but we are continuing to advocate for this solution.

What can you do?

INDIVIDUALS:

  • Buy Less: only buy what you need, and thrift/reuse/repair/regift whenever possible

  • Wash Less: only wash when you need to, and when you do, wash cold, on a delicate cycle, and air dry 

  • Shed Less: install a washing machine filter or use a microfiber-catching bag

  • Wear Less: opt for organic/natural materials over synthetic when possible

COMPANIES:

  • Package Less: replace plastic polybags with a better alternative, like glassine, or eliminate them altogether

  • Recycle More: implement takeback and recycling programs

  • Shed Less: incorporate sheddability standards into the production of clothes

  • Innovate More: join our 2024 “Woven” symposium to create a roadmap and work toward solutions

Do Less for the Planet

Resource Hub

A guide to readily accessible solutions to tackle a major source of microplastic pollution.

Research shows that microfiber filters on washing machines are effective at scale, and this can help inform policy decisions to reduce microfiber emissions from laundering textiles.

EU whitepaper calls for the mandate of filters in new washing machines as the only effective, near-term solution to reduce the release of microplastics in the environment.