The Dirty Truth About Microplastics "How Your Clothes Pollute the Planet"

Have you ever wondered what happens when You wash your polyester or nylon clothes? Did you ever imagine that your laundry might contribute to ocean pollution? Every wash releases thousands of tiny plastic fibres, known as microplastics, into our water systems. These microplastics are invisible to the naked eye but have a huge impact on our environment.

It is estimated that synthetic textiles are responsible for a global discharge of between 0.2 and 0.5 million tonnes of microplastics into the oceans each year (Sherrington, 2016; Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017).

What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. In fashion, they come from synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are widely used because they are cheap and durable. However, these fibers do not break down easily and persist in the environment for a very long time.

How Do They Pollute Our Environment?
When synthetic clothes are washed, microplastic fibers shed and enter wastewater. Unfortunately, most wastewater treatment plants cannot filter these tiny particles completely. As a result, microplastics flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they accumulate and threaten marine ecosystems. Marine animals ingest these plastics, which can cause physical harm and even enter the human food chain through seafood consumption.

Why Should We Care?
Microplastics have been detected in almost every corner of the planet—from the deepest ocean trenches to Arctic ice. Their presence disrupts natural ecosystems and poses emerging risks to human health, as studies find microplastics in drinking water, honey, and even the air we breathe.

What Can We Do About It?
There are several ways consumers can help reduce microplastic pollution. Choose natural fabrics like cotton, hemp, or wool instead of synthetics. Use microfiber-catching laundry bags or filters when washing synthetic clothes. Wash clothes less frequently and at lower temperatures to reduce fiber shedding. Support brands committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly textile production.

By making mindful choices in our fashion consumption and laundry habits, we can all contribute to lessening the invisible pollution caused by microplastics.

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