Microfibers
Posted by Peter MUIR
Issues surrounding of over-reliance on plastic and how this is leading to massive amounts of plastic polluting our waterways have been making headlines. While some of this plastic pollution is obvious, some of how plastic reaches our seas and oceans is not so visible.
One of these is microbeads, where small pieces of plastic used in cosmetic products and toothpaste go down the sink to end up in our waterways. Another, one perhaps less known, are microfibres – small fibres of plastic that are released from synthetic fibres such as polyester when we wash our clothes.
These microfibres are tiny, but can cause major issues. It has been said that microfibres make up about one third of the plastic in our oceans. There is research indicating that plastic microfibers in tap water, with findings indicating 83% of samples were found to be polluted by micro plastics. Other research indicate that out of 20 bottled water brands tested, only one did not contain plastic microfibers.
What can you do as a consumer about this issue? How are you contributing to this? How might you be able to influence the companies who are causing this plastic pollution?
