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Positive Actions Toward Reductions in Microplastics: Part I
Summary
Your clothes could be shedding tiny plastic bits (microplastics) every time you wear or wash them, and this review paper rounds up research on how to fix that. The big idea: switching to plant-based fabrics, natural dyes, and better textile designs can significantly cut down on microplastic shedding before it ever reaches our water, food, and bodies. Since microplastics have been linked to health concerns, choosing sustainably designed clothing, and pushing brands to adopt these practices, could be one small way to reduce your everyday exposure.
The increasing microplastic pollution from textiles represents a significant global environmental and health issue, necessitating a fundamental change in textile design, production, and post-consumer management practices. This chapter examines various effective measures to mitigate microplastic emissions, highlighting sustainable practices throughout the textile lifecycle. This approach emphasizes the implementation of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, which focus on reducing environmental risks while ensuring product functionality and performance are upheld. Bio-based fibers exhibit lower shedding rates and enhanced biodegradability relative to synthetic fibers functionalized with synthetic chemicals. Utilizing natural dyes and plant-based finishing agents, these materials minimize the reliance on persistent and hazardous chemicals that tend to adhere to fibers and contribute to microplastic toxicity upon release into ecosystems. The chapter also emphasizes advancements in textile finishing techniques designed to minimize microfiber shedding during both wear and laundering. Also discussed during the end-of-life phase, strategies that are essential to prevent textiles from breaking down into persistent microplastics during degradation or disposal. The textile industry can substantially mitigate its role in microplastic pollution by holistically integrating SSbD strategies, utilizing eco-friendly materials, and innovating in finishing and recycling processes. This chapter presents a framework for researchers, designers, and policymakers to advance systemic change in alignment with environmental sustainability and circular economic principles.