When we wash synthetic fibres (like nylon, polyester or recycled plastic bottles), millions of microfibres (plastic) are released from washing machines and go into the oceans, eaten by ‘filter feeders’). Until everyone is wearing organic cotton, linen and hemp clothing (and there are natural alternatives to synthetic backing for cloth nappies and feminine care), using a microplastic catcher is the best solution.
PlanetCare offer a kit containing a filter and cartridges (each one lasts 30 washes). Fitted in 10 minutes, this collects up to 98% of microplastics in the machine, then you just send back (freepost) used cartridges for recycling, and receive new ones.
Once purchased, then choose one of the following sustainable rainjackets (one purchase should last you years – look for sale bargains!):
Some companies like Grundig now include microplastic catchers in their washing machines, but most people can’t just buy a new machine.
If using a sink filter (for hand-washing), remove and bin the caught fibres, or they will wash down drains at landfill. Microplastic catchers don’t catch lint (just remove and bin). Don’t leave lint in gardens, as it can choke or go mouldy, harming wildlife.
If 10% of people used a microplastic catcher, this would stop the equivalent of 6 million plastic bottles, going into our oceans each year.
A good reason to switch to plastic-free cloths and sponges (as conventional ones also leach microfibers into the ocean – including ‘microfiber cloths’.
The same company offers a bucket filter (for mopping floors).
Or At least Use a Cora Ball
Cora Ball (US – also sold in UK) is cheaper and simpler. But it’s better than nothing, as it collects around 30% of microplastics. Inspired by how corals naturally clean the oceans.
It tumbles around the machine, then collect fibres after (like cleaning a hairbrush). It’s designed to stand the heat of washer-dryers, and profits are used to clean the oceans.
Fionn Ferreira is a young Irish chap who has created a magnet to extract microplastics from the ocean.
