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

 

I never thought about what happens after I wash clothes. It's a routine thing to put some clothes in washing machine and turn the button on and then walk away. 

But one day I stumbled upon a headline: "Your clothes are polluting the ocean."

It sounded dramatic. But then I read more. Every time I washed my favourite hoodie which is made out of polyester I figured out I was releasing thousands of microplastic fibers into the water system. They were invisible. I couldn't see them, touch them, or pick them up. But they were there  and flowing into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. These microplastics, smaller than 5 mm, don't break down. They stay put. They float. They sink. They are eaten by fish, shellfish, and even birds. And eventually... us.

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). The scariest part? We’ve found microplastics in Arctic snow, drinking water, honey, and even human blood!

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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