Plastic is quite literally, everywhere. The major source of polluting plastics, however, is clothes. 60% of the materials that make up clothing all over the world are Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers, which are all forms of plastic.
The fashion industry favors these cheap fibers as they are extremely cheap and versatile. They provide the stretchiness and durability needed for athletic and loungewear, as well as the warmth needed for winter clothes.
These cheap synthetic fibers pollute the ocean with microplastics in a pervasive way. Also blended with natural fibers, they seep into the environment every time a garment is washed. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of fibers are released from our clothes into the water supply upon every wash.
These microfibers (less than 5 millimeters in length), eventually reach the ocean, adding to the microplastic pollution that’s already accumulating in the food chain. They’re ingested by marine wildlife, and in turn, by us. Most plastic found in the ocean is not due to plastics like straws or cups, but rather from the broken-down shreds of plastic from our clothes.
How Can Mircoshedding be Reduced?
As we’re aware, fast fashion contributes to an extensive list of environmental issues. In 2019, the global fast fashion market was valued at 36 billion dollars, according to the Statista Research Department. This number is expected to increase over the next few years in order to recover from losses incurred by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fast fashion has led to the colossal increase of turnaround clothing going beyond production numbers. Fabrics are made and used in a way that plays a big role in the number of microplastics being produced. Brands need to not only reduce how many garments are being made but also reduce consumer demand. In addition, new production technologies and techniques play a vital part in lightening the industry’s impact on the earth.
PlanetCare
The company PlanetCare is an example of a company offering a practical and innovative solution to the issue of microplastics. This startup has developed a modernized external filter that works in all household washing machines and a filter for medium-size commercial washing machines.
It’s important to note that prevention is key, as once microplastics reach the ocean it’s practically impossible to retrieve them.
The team at PlanetCare saw how nothing was being done about this, and so the idea for the company was born. Not only do they produce their filters, but they aim to raise awareness of this serious issue. PlanetCare’s product is the first and only filter made for washing machines that have proven to prevent 90% of these microfibers from being released from our clothes. In addition, it is available worldwide.
The only obstacle in the way is making the product easy to use, widely accessible, and encouraging consumers to take action. PlanetCare offers a solution for consumers to take action. Their filter has been named as the best product on the market by the Swedish Environment Protection Agency and also one of the best 60 startups in Europe at the moment (out of 5,000).
Standards And Certifications
There are currently a few standards to help guide the industry on the best practices for measuring the emission rates of microplastics from textiles.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), is developing a gravimetric method of calculating fiber/mass loss using an accelerated laundering machine.
In Germany, the Hohenstein Institute has developed a suite of test methods designed to provide a quantitative analysis of microfibers.
Industry-recognized standards in the sustainability space such as ISO 14000, ASTM, Global Organic Textile standard, EU Ecolabel, and OEKO-TEX® don’t yet give specifications fiber-shedding.
For example, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Research Triangle Park, N.C., is developing a gravimetric method of calculating fiber/mass loss using an accelerated laundering machine.16 The Hohenstein Institute, Germany, has developed a suite of test methods designed to provide a quantitative analysis of microfibers. These test methods include a gravimetric method adopted from the University of Leeds/The Microfibre Consortium Method, an assessment of fiber count, shape, and size distribution using Hohenstein’s method for Dynamic Image Analysis, and an assessment of cellulosic versus non-cellulosic content.17 Further, there are some standardized test methods that that may have the ability to be modified to directly evaluate microplastics. For example, test methods for evaluating dry lint count and laundering.18