Companies like PlanetCare and Grundig now include microplastic catchers in their washing machines (which catch up to 90% of plastic fibres in clothes made from synthetic fibres like nylon, polyester and recycled plastic bottles). But most people can’t afford to buy a new washing machine. So microplastic catchers can be used for existing hand-washing and machines, to launder synthetic fibres. These are also good for washable nappies, menstrual pads and period pads (which mostly have synthetic waterproof linings).
After washing your clothes, just remove and bin the fibres securely (or they will just wash down drains at landfill and still go to sea). Microplastic catchers do not catch lint (just remove and bin, don’t leave in gardens as wildlife may use to build nests, but it can go mouldy and/or choke).
Until you gradually makeover your wardrobe to consist of natural fabrics like cotton, hemp or linen – a microplastic catcher is the next best thing. It will catch a good portion (not all) microplastics in the machine, to stop them going into the sea and being accidentally ingested by marine creatures. Sustainability experts suggest only washing swimsuits (often made from recycled plastic bottles) when necessary, otherwise just rinse and dry flat). If 10% of people used a microplastic catcher, this would stop the equivalent of 6 million plastic bottles, going into our oceans each year.
GuppyFriend (Europe) is a zipped bag made from a ‘stable stick’ polyester that won’t lose microplastics itself. Just place clothes in the zipped bag, remove microplastics from the hem after use, and bin in a closed container. The company also makes a sink filter (for hand-washing), a bucket filter (for mopping floors), a filter for washing machines and even shoe insoles. The company now also offer a filter for washing machines.
Cora Ball to remove microplastics (from America)
Cora Ball (US – also sold in UK) looks like a ‘dryer ball’, and inspired by how corals clean the oceans. It tumbles around the machine to collect (only 30%) of microplastics, then you pull them out (like cleaning a hairbrush). It’s better than nothing, easy to use and lasts 5 years. It’s also designed to withstand heat of washer-dryers, and profits are used to clean the oceans.
