One of the many sources of microplastics is the material from which the vast majority of clothing we use every day is made. We are talking about synthetic fibers, which include materials such as nylon and polyester, obtained by the synthesis of various petroleum-derived products and, therefore, with a very high environmental persistence.
In 2016, a team of researchers from the University of Plymouth published a study in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin in which they analyzed the release of microplastics through wastewater from washing machines. Although the results varied greatly depending on the type of clothing and the washing conditions, the scientists yielded an average figure of 700,000 microplastic fibers released into the wastewater in each wash. In addition, we already know that it is not even necessary to wash clothes to release microplastics into the environment: they continually “escape” just by walking around, as researcher Marco Vighi, who leads a project related to the impact of microplastics on agricultural systems.
How to curb this problem? At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Washington on February 16, Melik Demirel, director of the Center for Research in Advanced Fiber Technologies at Penn State University, presented four possible solutions, some more realistic than others.
Back to natural fibers
The first possibility, going back to natural fibers like wool or cotton, is very obvious, but it also has its drawbacks. They are more expensive materials and their large-scale production is so small that it is environmentally safe, since it requires a lot of water and the use of large areas of land for cultivation.
Filters in washing machines
Since a good part of the microfibers that end up in the water comes from washing, a very practical solution would be to incorporate filters in the water outlets of the washing machines that trap these materials. “Capturing microplastics at their source is a very good alternative,” explained Demirel.
Plastic-eating bacteria
The scientific community has high hopes for some bacteria that are capable of degrading plastic, but it is a solution that is still in the exploration phase. In the future, surely, the controlled and large-scale use of these organisms will be a great ally to biodegrade and recycle microplastic fibers.
Biosynthetic fibers
But it is not enough to recycle the fibers or filter them so that they do not reach the water. Tons of these materials are used in the world, and it is necessary to find an alternative to replace them. In Demirel’s opinion, a very viable option is the use of biosynthetic fibers, which are biodegradable and recyclable and can also be mixed with natural fibers to provide more durability. The researcher has developed a fiber of this type that is inspired by a protein found in squid and claims that, in addition to having excellent properties, it is completely biodegradable.
What exactly are we talking about? According to Textil Exchange, a non-profit organization that seeks sustainability in textile production, biosynthetic fibers are those formed by polymers that are obtained from totally or partially renewable resources.
Currently there are already commercially available biopolymers that come from renewable sugars, starches and lipids, using corn, sugar cane, beet and vegetable oils as raw materials. In addition, various technologies are being developed to produce biosynthetic fibers from a wider range of raw materials including, for example, remnants of agriculture and forestry.
The problem of pollution by plastics has acquired dimensions such that great solutions are necessary, solutions that go through adequate legislation and the search for alternative materials. However, at the individual level, consumers can also contribute our bit: buying durable clothes, trying to minimize our closets and not overdoing the washing of clothes are some of the responsible habits that we can adopt to minimize, in part, pollution by microplastics.
Photo: Patrick Mansell
