The Enemy of Anemones
It has been estimated that there are over 1.4 trillion microfibers that have made it to the ocean from our washing machines.
Microfiber: An extremely fine synthetic fiber that can be woven or knit into textiles with the texture and drape of natural-fiber cloth but with enhanced washability, breathability, and water repellency. Since the development of microfiber fabrics in the late 20th century, microfibers that make up the fabrics used in many of our clothes have been entering our earth’s water with every wash. In every load of laundry, an average of 1900 microfibers are shed from each garment. Many people ask: what’s the problem with microfibers compared to other synthetics and natural fibers? The problem is that microfibers are too small compared to larger fibers to be filtered out by washing machines and wastewater treatment plants, meaning that it is extremely difficult to keep them from entering earth’s waterways.
As earth’s population grows, and the demand for clothing increases, so will the number of microfibers entering our water. Clothing brands claim to be working towards sustainability and creating a less wasteful industry; however, not enough is being done. The fashion industry is the leading contributor to microfiber pollution, and the most effective solution to this problem is to change the fabrics that our clothes are made of. As more microfibers are being found in fish and marine life, and more research is being done to further understand the effects that microfibers have on our ecosystems; the fashion industry is being held more and more accountable for the issue. If companies can develop fabrics that release fewer microfibers, the problem will be tackled directly from the roots, both protecting the environment and creating a more sustainable fashion industry.
The fashion industry is the leading contributor to microfiber pollution
It has been estimated that there are over 1.4 trillion microfibers that have made it to the ocean from our washing machines. This is because of the growing use of synthetic fibers in clothing and the lack of proper filtration and treatment systems. As a result of these fibers entering our oceans, they are negatively affecting the creatures that live in our water. Two prime examples of how microfibers are affecting marine life are demonstrated in the articles “Sea Anemones are Ingesting Plastic Microfibers” when the author shares the results of lab tests that have been conducted on anemones to test if/how they are affected by microfibers. As well as in Rachel Cernansky’s article “Are Synthetic Fleece and Other Types of Clothing Harming Our Water?”; when the author demonstrates how ocean life is being affected by microfibers.
In a study conducted on anemones, which are a sea plant found within coral reefs; the research demonstrated that when healthy anemones were exposed to a mixture of synthetic fibers and brine shrimp, they absorbed all the brine shrimp but did not absorb all the microfibers; yet even after they absorbed the microfibers, they were able to expel them quickly. On the other hand, with increasing ocean temperatures it is common for anemones to become unhealthy and bleached. The research also demonstrated that when bleached anemones were exposed to the same mixture of microfibers and brine shrimp, they absorbed almost all the microfibers and were also unable to expel the fibers as quickly as the healthy anemones. To add, in Rachel Cernansky’s article “Are Synthetic Fleece and Other Types of Clothing Harming Our Water?” the research shows that small marine animals are mistaking microfibers for food. Since the animals are unable to digest synthetic fibers, they remain in the digestive tract and as a result, the animals are affected in many negative ways. Including being unable to eat the amount of food that is needed for them to grow, resulting in starvation. Scientists have also speculated that the chemical compounds within the fibers are causing other health issues for marine life such as tumors and birth defects.
If things do not change, microfiber pollution will continue to grow and worsen every time clothes are washed.
The findings of both studies suggest that if the number of microfibers in our oceans does not begin to decrease, the health of many marine species including both plants and animals will continue to decline. If we consider what research has already shown about our oceans, unhealthy anemones and corals result in a lower fish population. To expand, if the number of microfibers in our oceans continues to rise, it is more than likely that microfibers will start affecting humans in similar ways that they affect marine life. With this knowledge, I believe that it is in the best interest of the public to start taking microfiber pollution much more seriously; since the health of humans could be at risk if our bodies are absorbing chemicals in the same manner that marine animals are. Yet some readers may challenge that microfibers are too small to affect humans; it is more than likely that as the number of microfibers polluting our water increases, there will be no way to avoid them working their way up the food chain. To summarize, the health of our oceans is already being affected by climate change; and microfibers are further contributing to the deterioration of our earth’s biggest supply of oxygen.
The most effective solution to the microfiber pollution problem is to change the fabrics that our clothes are made of. Brands like Patagonia have been working towards creating clothes that leave less of an impact on the environment, this includes minimizing the number of microfibers that shed:
With this being said, the article states that as of now it is mostly brands who hold sustainability in their core values that are working towards solving the microfiber pollution issue, and not all brands are looking for solutions. To contrast, there are so many companies producing clothing that it would take almost all of them being on board to completely eliminate microfibers from entering waterways. However, if companies as large as Patagonia can eliminate microfiber shedding in their clothing, other companies may be able to use the same technologies to do the same with their products.
But what are companies actually doing to minimize their contributions to the microfiber pollution issue?
Brands like Patagonia are working in labs to develop fabrics that do not shed microfibers when washed. Examples of trials being done include using different finishes and coatings on fabrics to try keeping fibers together, as well as different spinning techniques to research if the spinning of fibers directly correlates with how they shed when washed. This is useful in thinking about other aspects of this topic, including whether or not consumers can be doing things to minimize microfiber shedding. Some studies suggest that washing clothes in cool water on a low spin setting can help reduce the number of microfibers shed during laundering. What the author of “Seabin Project Tackling Microfibers Head On, 2019” shares is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of developing a high-performance fabric that does not shed. Basically, the solution to solving the microfiber pollution issue could be very simple. But with very few companies investing in finding solutions, it is still a complicated issue that is far from being solved.
Not only do fabrics need to change, but the way people do laundry at home also needs to change. With products like the Guppy Friend which are specially designed to reduce microfiber shedding and stop the fibers that do shed from entering waterways; it is becoming easier for consumers to shrink their contribution to microfiber pollution at home. The Guppy Friend is a nylon washing bag that allows soap and water in and out but does not allow microfibers out. At the end of each wash cycle when the bag is removed, it is easy to remove the trapped microfibers by hand and dispose of them properly. After extensive testing it has been shown that the bag can stop up to 95% of microfibers from entering waterways; so for the price of around thirty dollars, consumers may be able to nearly eliminate their contributions towards microfiber pollution.
If brands can educate consumers on microfiber pollution and the toll it is taking on our oceans, then people are more likely to take notice and take action. If we examine microfiber pollution in light of what O’Connor shares, with the use of products like the Guppy Friend, we might be able to stop the majority of new microfibers from entering our waterways; meaning the only microfibers needing filtration and removal would be those that have already made it to earth’s waterways. Although the Guppy Friend will not likely find its way into every home across the planet, those who do wash with filtration products will be helping eliminate one of the largest pollutants in our oceans. In turn, making our planet a better and healthier place. If you are interested in purchasing a guppy friend for yourself you can click the link below.
In short, the fashion industry is the leading contributor to microfiber pollution, and the most effective solution to this problem is for the industry to take charge and change the fabrics that our clothes are made of. If things do not change, microfiber pollution will continue to grow and worsen every time clothes are washed. However, if clothing brands can develop fabrics that do not shed microfibers, and consumers are educated on the issue at hand and the implications that come along with it; I do believe that microfiber pollution could stop growing and eventually be an issue of the past.
