Microfibres

Researchers have found that the annual release of 6,860–17,847 tonnes of microfibre from UK's washing is a relatively small problem in comparison to the fashion industry's waste problem, with 365,000 tonnes of clothing going to landfill every year.

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has developed a separation system to capture microplastic fibres in water by using acoustic manipulation techniques. In addition to treating wastewater generated from the textiles and apparel industries, the Acousweep can be applied to other industry sectors for microplastic collection. 

Researchers have come up with a solution that could to some extent resolve the issue of microplastic fibres that are shed when clothes made of synthetic fabrics are laundered, finally making their way into waterways impacting marine and human life.

Back to basics it is. Now hand wash your clothes to save the environment. A research has found that manual methods release far fewer fibres than machine laundering that releases over five times more microplastics.

Cause for alarm! The discovery of microplastic fibres in samples of air, seawater, sediment and sea-ice from the Antarctic — the last remaining pristine environment on Earth — makes the need for a globally-agreed Plastics Treaty even more urgent.

A draft report prepared for the US Congress has reiterated the textiles and fashion industries as the leading sources of microfibre pollution. The report has identified current gaps and research and also highlighted current pro-active work being done on the problem the world over.