Near the Oceans - Synthetic Fibers

 

An ecologist named Mark Browne discovered these fibers as he was examining the sediment along shorelines around the world. They were most prominent near sewage outflows. By sampling wastewater from washing machines, he estimated that around 1,900 individual fibers can be rinsed off a single garment, which ends up in the ocean. He tried to turn to major clothing industries (Patagonia, Nike and Polartec) to inform them of his discoveries. All companies refused to lend their support. 

 

In 2013, he has presented an idea for a program called Benign by Design, supported by a team of engineers and scientists from academic institutions around the world, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency. Their main goal is to stop the migration of synthetic microfiber into waterways and marine ecosystems. He hoped to put together a team that will create synthetic materials that do not shed synthetic fibers. Only one company, Eileen Fisher, was willing to donate $10,000 to help advance his research.

 

Patagonia, a company known for its strong environmental ethic and sustainable manufacturing processes, was one of the companies who did not support Browne's idea. Todd Copeland, the company's environmental responsibility manager, has stated that he needs more evidence that specific textiles and materials are contributing to a major environmental threat. 

 

Polartec's Cohne believes that a filter should be installed inside washing machines to stop the fibers from entering the wastewater treatment systems. Browne tried to consult with appliance manufacturers to convince them to create one. Once again, he was met with no support. However, Canadian entrepreneur, Blair Jollimore has created a possible solution. After his septic tank backed up and flooded his home, he found the problem was started by the lint from his washing machine. Since then, he has created a filter, which has been used for up to 14 years.

 

In 2003, he has created a gome business, selling over 1,000 of his filters to homeowners from England to Hawaii. With support from Browne, he may be able to pitch his filter to appliance makers as a means of preventing the fibers from entering the waterways. Even if he has created a screen that can capture all microfibers, he is worried about how it would react in a laundry machine. “Every bit of dirt in your laundry would be captured, so it would back up the process,” he says.

 

Browne also seems to be having difficulties with the engineers who work at the treatment plants. He talked with many of them and they have all said that removing the fibers is too tedious. “Even if those microplastics were removed from the liquid waste, they would end up in sludge, which in some places ends up being turned into fertilizers,” he said. The fibers would still end up affecting the ecosystems, because they would be entering the food chain.

 

Browne agreed that more research should be conducted to understand the impact that these fibers would have in the environment. He wished that he could convince the clothing companies to support him. “The [textile] people I’ve talked to have not been trained environmental scientists, they’re more often marketing people.”