Plastic’s pervasive presence extends beyond everyday items like bottles and bags to the very clothing many wear daily. An average wardrobe often contains plastic in the form of polyester activewear, acrylic sweaters, nylon swimsuits, and stretchy socks, all of which contribute to environmental pollution through shedding. When these garments are worn, washed, and dried, they release millions of tiny plastic fiber fragments that evade capture by wastewater treatment plants, ultimately entering waterways and oceans. Marine life consumes these particles, potentially passing plastics up the food chain to larger animals and humans. Although natural fabrics also shed fibers and chemicals, polyester remains the most widely used fiber globally, dominating about two-thirds of worldwide production.
Earth Day serves as a reminder for individuals globally to consider reducing their environmental impact. While everyone who wears and launders clothing contributes to the problem, they can also be part of the solution. Simple actions like washing clothes less frequently and using cold water can help reduce fiber shedding. However, a more sustainable approach in textile production and usage is necessary. This includes designing clothes that shed fewer microfibers and ensuring they are durable enough to last longer.
Adopting new laundry habits is a straightforward solution. Less frequent washing reduces the friction that breaks fibers apart. Clothes can shed fewer fibers when washed with cold water in full loads on shorter cycles and are then hung to dry. Innovations like the Cora Ball, inspired by coral’s natural filtration, can be added to laundry loads to reduce microfiber release and capture some fibers. Synthetic fabrics can also be washed in special bags that trap fibers.
Determining which clothing sheds the most is simple: pressing clear packing tape onto a garment and then placing it on white paper can reveal fiber shedding. Loosely knit or woven garments, such as fleece, are more prone to shedding. Instead of discarding such clothing, they can still be used wisely, either indoors or outdoors with an additional layer.
Efforts to incorporate filters in washing machines to capture microfibers have seen varied success. Companies like Samsung Electronics and Bosch have introduced microfiber filters, now available in several countries. France has legislated that new washing machines include these filters, although implementation faces delays. In the U.S., attempts to mandate filters have been less successful due to concerns about consumer costs and the effectiveness of the filters.
Leading clothing brands are actively testing fabrics to better understand fiber fragmentation. Companies such as Adidas, Nike, Patagonia, and Under Armour, in collaboration with The Microfibre Consortium, are working to transform textile production by reducing fiber breakup. Patagonia, notably proactive in addressing synthetic fiber waste, has pioneered research and development to minimize shedding, including shifting to recycled polyester for its “better sweater” products to reduce shedding by approximately 40%.
Progress continues as the industry seeks solutions throughout the manufacturing cycle and garment use phases. The field has evolved significantly over the past decade, with many in the industry now focused on developing and implementing effective strategies to address the microfiber pollution problem.