Washing machine devices ‘could cut release of damaging microfibres into sea’

DEVICES could be fitted to washing machines to reduce the release of microfibres into the environment by up to 80 per cent, suggests a new study.

Researchers found that using fibre-catching devices as part of the laundry process can “dramatically” reduce the amount of microscopic particles potentially entering the marine environment.

A study conducted at Plymouth University compared the efficiency of six different devices, ranging from prototypes to commercially available products. The most successful reduced the amount of fibres released into wastewater by almost 80%, suggesting there is”considerable” potential for them to have environmental benefits.

However, researchers from the university’s International Marine Litter Research Unit say they will only ever be part of any solution.

The study showed normal wear and tear when wearing clothes is just as significant a source of microplastics as release from laundering, while a report produced for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in May highlighted that fitting filters to washing machines could be less effective than changing fabric designs to reduce fibre loss.

The researchers say there is an ongoing need for scientists to team up with industry and policy makers to ensure improvements are made right from the design phase through to how clothes are washed.

The study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, was funded by the National Geographic Society and Sky Ocean Rescue.

Study lead author Dr Imogen Napper, a Sky Ocean Rescue Scholar, said: “Fibres from clothing are among the key sources of microplastics, and companies are inventing ways that claim to reduce the amount of fibres that enter wastewater.

“We wanted to see how effective they were both in catching fibres, but also stopping clothes from shedding them in the first place. Our results show there is a huge variety between the devices available.”

For the research, scientists used a mesh to capture fibres entering wastewater, measuring the mass of particles generated without filters and then with three in-drum devices and three external washing machine filters.

The results showed the most effective device reduced the quantity of microfibres being released by 78%, while the least effective analysed in this particular study reducing it by 21%.

Co-author Professor Richard Thompson, Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit, said: “Too often, the quest for fast fashion and market pressures means that appropriate environmental considerations are being sacrificed.

“Some of the devices we tested can undoubtedly reduce the fibres generated through the laundry process, but perhaps the most overarching change would be to design garments to last longer and shed less fibres in the first place.””