In Europe, almost 13,000 tonnes come every year #microvezels in the sea, estimate British researchers. That is the equivalent of two garbage trucks a day, and if we wash down massively colder and shorter, that amount can drop by a third.

With each wash, thousands of microfibres are released, which end up in rivers via wastewater, and end up in the oceans. Within science, there is a growing belief that these fibers can be even more harmful than microbeads, the microscopic pieces of plastic that also end up in the sea in ever larger quantities.

Researchers from Northumbria University collaborated with detergent manufacturer Procter & Gamble on a study on the environmental impact of microfibres. Their analysis showed that during a standard washing cycle, an average of 114 mg of fibre was released per kilogram of fabric.

As approximately 35.6 billion washes are carried out annually in Europe, it is estimated that 12,709 tonnes of microfibre should be released from washing machines, the researchers say. That corresponds to two garbage trucks a day.

The researchers also found that this amount can be greatly reduced if a shorter and colder cycle is chosen. A 30 minute wash cycle at 15 degrees Celsius produces 30 percent less fiber than a standard 40 minute cycle at 40 degrees.

If families opt for cooler, faster washes, they would keep up to 3,813 tonnes of microfibre out of European watercourses annually.

The investigation further showed that the economical types of washing machines also significantly reduce the release of microfibres. New clothing releases more microfibres than older clothing, and fabric softeners appear to have no direct influence.

Forensic expert
It is striking that the scientists received help from a forensic expert, who usually mainly deals with murder cases. Among other things, the expert helped the team to avoid cross-contamination of fibres from other sources, and introduced testing methods from forensic science, such as spectroscopic techniques to investigate the structure and composition of the released microfibres.

'Finding an ultimate solution to microfibre pollution is likely to require far-reaching measures in both textile production processes and washing machine design. '

The researchers found that 96 percent of the released fibres were natural, derived from materials such as cotton, wool and viscose, while synthetic fibres, such as nylon, polyester and acrylic, accounted for only 4 percent. Natural fibres break down much faster: previous research showed that cotton fibres have broken down three quarters after eight months. Polyester fibres, on the other hand, were only 4 percent broken down after the same period.

“This study has proven that consumer choices in the way they do their laundry can have a significant and immediate impact on microfibre pollution,” says Neil Lant, researcher at Procter & Gamble. “They will not solve the problem, but can lead to a meaningful reduction in the short term, while other solutions such as washing machine filters and less polluting clothing are developed and marketed.”

Chief researcher John Dean, Professor of Environmental Analytical Sciences at the University of Northumbria, also advocates more research into cleaner technology. “Finding an ultimate solution to microfibre contamination released during washing is likely to require far-reaching measures in both textile manufacturing processes and washing machine design,” he says.

The scientists mainly think of filters in the washing machines and additional interventions to make the machines use water as economically as possible. There is also thought of pre-washing by the textile manufacturers to remove most loose fibres.

Shorter and colder washing is part of the solution.