One Word: Microplastics
by Sharmon Lebby
In 1967, a scene from The Graduate caught the world’s attention when a well-meaning family friend told the main character, Ben, that he had one word of advice: Plastics.
The friend, Mr. McGuire, believed that plastic was the future and the key to great wealth. From the time of its creation, plastic was marketed as a revolutionary material. It was inexpensive and could be used to create just about anything. Even though it was first regulated by the public as cheap and artificial, the use of plastic caught on and has managed to stick around. Half a century later, we can’t seem to get rid of it.
Microplastics, microfilaments, and microfibers are all different names for the same issue — tiny bits of plastic that have become a huge environmental problem. Microplastics come in many forms and differ from region to region. In coastal nations without waste management systems, it often comes in the form of plastic waste that has degraded into smaller pieces. In nations where washing machines are used more frequently, microfibers from clothing are the largest offenders.
Studies have found them in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even in the animal and human stool. While microfibers are being found just about everywhere, most of the talk has been concentrated on waterways. This is because current projections say there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by the year 2050.
“...there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by the year 2050.”
Most of us agree that something needs to be done. What we can’t seem to agree on is the best way to do this and exactly whose responsibility it is to get it done.
For example, in May 2017, the Environmental Stewardship Manager at Timberland did an interview on Conscious Chatter alongside the CEO of Thread. They talked about working with washing machine companies to fix the filter problem. A few weeks later, Stefan Siegel, the founder of Not Just A Label, said this was simply companies passing the problem onto someone else. Was this passing the blame or is it a real solution? What if the solution is simply all of it; we do everything that has been suggested simultaneously?
Girlfriend Collective’s Microfiber Filter
For the growing problem of plastic waste, we can rely on companies that are using recycled plastic in their products. Companies like Girlfriend Collective and Rothy’s are making waves with their athletic wear and shoes made from recycled plastic bottles. Timberland and Patagonia are household names using recycled post-consumer content in their products. The plastic already created isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so recycling it is a solid alternative.
For the microfiber issue, there are methods we can use to preserve our waterways. Girlfriend Collective listened to the concerns of consumers and are now selling a filter that can be attached to your laundry machine. Patagonia is also leading the way by being a distributor of the Guppyfriend, a laundry bag designed to reduce the shedding of microfibers from your clothing.
A scientific study published in February 2019 showed that the Cora Ball (a product designed to catch microfibers) was effective at capturing 26% of microfibers, while Lint LUV-R (an external washing machine filter) collected 86%. If used together, these items could greatly reduce the amount of plastic making it into the environment by way of our clothing.
Girlfriend Collective Activewear Made from Recycled Plastic
In the long term, it’s simply going to take action by everyone. Governments have already taken steps such as banning microbeads and plastic bags, and many businesses have reduced the use of plastic straws. As consumers, we’ll have to learn and remember to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and in that order. That means washing our clothing less and reducing our consumption of single-use plastics. When we purchase new, we should consider purchasing items made from natural fibers or recycled content. This is not just in regards to fashion but in household goods such as linens, curtains, and even our carpets.
Plastic is so pervasive in our lives that this isn’t something that will happen overnight, and anyone who has purchased sustainable products knows that it’s an expensive venture. However, with time and intention, anything is possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When she isn’t consuming non-dairy ice cream in mass quantities and styling photoshoots, Sharmon Lebby runs the ethical brand Blessed Designs, and serves as president of the Ethical Network of San Antonio and chair of Fashion Sustainability for the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative.
