Patagonia Turns Attention to Microfiber Pollution

Patagonia is using its significant influence to bring attention to the global problem of microplastic waste, particularly to marine environments, and the role synthetic garments play. The company released a study, Microfiber Pollution & the Apparel Industry, and a related ongoing research project that will lead to a management plan for Patagonia, which the brand hopes will be adapted and used by other companies in the apparel industry. Considering the magnitude of the findings, microfiber pollution is likely to become the newest sustainability gut check for the outdoor market.

Microfibers, says Patagonia, are a type of microplastic waste consisting of synthetic microfibers (less than 5mm in length) that detach from synthetic garments primarily during washing and get past or around filter systems in treatment plants. The research found that microfibers are prevalent in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, from the bottom of the Indian Ocean to farmland in the United States. Experimental results also found that when synthetic jackets are washed, on average 1.7 grams of microfibers are released from the washing machine. These microfibers then travel to local wastewater treatment plant, where up to 40% of them enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

“We also know we sell a lot of fleece; what we produce, combined with all the polyester and nylon products made and sold by other outdoor and apparel brands (and other industries), may constitute a significant problem,” posted Patagonia on it The Cleanest Line blog.

The conclusion of the research is basically that we have a large potential problem, with not nearly enough known about it or how to fix it. Moving forward, Patagonia plans to continue the research to determine the magnitude of the problem, the contribution Patagonia apparel has, and what Patagonia, as well all other stakeholders, such as textile providers, washing machine designers and other apparel companies can do to alleviate the microfiber pollution problem.

We are guessing Patagonia’s efforts will lead to some tough decisions being asked of outdoor apparel brands, retailers and consumers.

Image courtesy Peter S. Ross Ocean Pollution Research Program


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