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Recommendation: Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering — R1/PR5
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This recommendation document outlines policy approaches for eliminating microplastic pollution from synthetic textile laundering, addressing the growing consumption of petrochemical-based synthetic materials and their contribution to ocean plastic contamination.
The washing of synthetic materials has been named as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution to our oceans. With the consumption of petrochemical-based synthetic materials expected to grow, due to an increased demand, the release of microplastic fibres to our environments is expected to also accelerate. To combat microplastic fibre release, this study explores source-directed interventions within the design and manufacturing process of textiles to reduce the amount of pollution released from the surface and the edges of the fabric structure. Using standardised wash tests and polyester fabric swatches that were created in-house with systematic structural adjustments, single jersey knit fabrics were shown to release over three times more microplastic pollution than twill woven fabric. This illustrates that increasing the tightness of a fabric could be implemented within the design of fabrics for environmental benefits. Additionally, the laser cutting technique reduced microplastic fibres released by over a third compared to scissor cutting and overlock serging, showing that the edge of the fabric is a significant source of microplastic pollution released during laundering. This research highlights the adaptable and innovative eco-design approaches to clothing production which is necessary to help the sector reach international sustainability targets and regulations.
More Papers Like This
Decision: Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering — R1/PR6
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This decision document addresses policy recommendations for designing out microplastic pollution released from synthetic textiles during laundering, responding to evidence that washing petrochemical-based synthetic materials is the largest single source of microplastic pollution entering the oceans.
Recommendation: Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering — R0/PR2
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Researchers investigated source-directed design and manufacturing interventions to reduce microplastic fibre release from synthetic textiles during laundering, using standardised wash tests on polyester fabrics. They found that modifications to fabric structure and finishing at the design stage can significantly reduce the quantity of microplastic fibres shed during washing, addressing one of the largest identified sources of ocean microplastic pollution.
Author comment: Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering — R1/PR4
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This author comment reviews research on designing out microplastic pollution released from synthetic textiles during laundering, examining technical and policy interventions in the context of growing consumption of petrochemical-based synthetic materials. The paper evaluates filter technologies, fabric modifications, and washing machine design changes as complementary strategies for reducing textile microplastic emissions to aquatic environments.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments from washing synthetic textiles
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Washing synthetic textiles releases microplastic fibers into wastewater, and this study reviewed the scale of the problem and explored strategies to reduce emissions at the washing machine, garment design, and wastewater treatment levels. Textile laundering is considered one of the largest sources of microplastic fiber pollution reaching aquatic environments.
Recommendation: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R0/PR2
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This recommendation paper accompanies a proposed fibre fragmentation scale for measuring microplastic release from textiles during washing, aiming to establish consistent test methods that enable textile designers to reduce fibre shedding.
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