Mega microplastics (and what to do about them)

I read this article with utter horror this week.  It seems that the River Mersey near Manchester has the highest recorded levels of microplastics in the world.  The world!

Microplastics have only recently come to light - microscopic pieces of plastics from the breakdown of litter, and pollution and fibres from clothing, discarded during the washing process.

This issue of litter in waterways has hit the press big style and thankfully, people are starting to take note, lobby manufacturers and personally try and avoid plastics in particular.  Public  litterpicks seem to be on the rise; this is a really excellent way to get your community out and actively improving surroundings.  And it's a lot of fun!

But clothing fibres are a lot more tricky.  If you were to take a look at your clothes you will almost certainly find that they are predominantly made of plastics - polyester, polypropylene, polyamide (nylon) etc.  Unlike natural fibres, like wool, cotton or linen, which biodegrade to nothing in watercourses, the very same features that give synthetics such an advantage - being hardwearing for example - make them a serious issue when the water they're washed in enters our treatment systems.

When I've been 'discussing' the issue of microplastics online (those kind of discussions that seem to end in ridiculous arguments!) then some people absolutely insist that it is the responsibility of manufacturers, both of clothing and of washing machines, to sort the problem out.  And I do agree: when you purchase an item of clothing made of synthetic fibres it will be much cheaper than the equivalent made of natural.  This is not without its reasons.  Not only is the raw material (petroleum) a cheap resource, the labour in production more minimal (and often exploitative) but there is no accounting for future clean up costs caused by pollution or eventual disposal.  The difference in price, the additional costs, are just offset for future generations to deal with.  Cheap clothing and washing machine manufacturers are just not that bothered at the moment because it's not their immediate problem, and that sucks.  Doubtless there will come a time, usually at crisis point, where regulations and legislation will force them to take action, maybe adding sophisticated filters to outlet hoses, or surface treatments to clothing, but by then, how much damage will have been done?

I think it's imperative that we begin by looking at what we can do ourselves in the meantime.  So here's a few suggestions:

• Before you buy a new item of clothing, question yourself (with honesty!  I'm not so good at this...) as to whether you actually *need* it.  Walk away if necessary or set yourself a time scale - a day, a week, a month - and then ask yourself again before you buy.
• Can you borrow?  Can you buy second hand?
• If you have to buy, can you find an alternative made using a natural fibre?  Tencel (made using wood fibre - Sainsbury's have a good range) is reported to be the least environmentally damaging, followed by linen.  Bamboo, cotton, leather and wool are options.  If you're not buying natural fibres, look for responsible manufacturers using synthetics.  Patagonia have led the way in sourcing microplastic free synthetics - expensive but built to last and stay together in the wash!
• When you're washing your existing clothes, check the labels so you know exactly what you're dealing with.  There will be a full breakdown of the constituents.  Wash as infrequently as possible, at as low a temperature as you dare and with as little agitation (think quick wash!) as possible.
• If you have a lot of synthetics, you might want to consider purchasing a GuppyFriend pictured above.  We have a lot of sportswear to wash, as well as my workwear and fluffy PJs, so this made sense to our household.  Acting like a filter, you simply pop your synthetic clothing into the GuppyFriend and wash it as normal.  I was actually pleasantly surprised how few fibres there are, but they are there and it's unusually satisfying to scrape them off and into the bin!  It's also very useful if you have delicate items that are likely to snag.
• Take responsibility for the disposal of your clothing.  Natural fibres can be composted when they're beyond redemption, but synthetics cannot.  Can you pass them on?  Can you repair?  Only when all other options are exhausted, make sure they are thrown away responsibly.  (It's probably worth noting that there are a lot of 'clothing recycling' firms popping up at the moment.  You might want to make enquiries as to where your donations are actually going and ensure that they are not just shifting the problem to another part of the world!)

I'm sorry to say, and it's pointed out in the original report, that the River Mersey is probably not usual.  It's like that your local river is in a similar state, and it's likely that more evidence of the issue will come to light now it's being properly investigated.  But let's make a start.  Let's do something positive and see how we go eh?