Project Background
Microfibers are anthropogenic fibers (< 5mm in length), many of which are microplastics. Widespread contamination around the world makes microfibers one of the most prevalent types of microplastics in surface water, soil, biota and atmospheric samples. Microfibers enter the environment from several sources, and one known route is through washing our clothing.
Studies show that a single load of laundry can release thousands of microfibers into washing machine effluent, and when washing effluent is carried to a wastewater treatment plant, some microfibers are released directly into aquatic ecosystems.
PhD student Lisa Erdle worked with us for several years, leading our work to investigate microfiber contamination in the Great Lakes. Today, she works for 5Gyres.
Project Overview
Our pilot project on microfibers, in close collaboration with Georgian Bay Forever, was a next step to an earlier study quantifying the effectiveness of existing technologies to reduce microfibers being emitted from washing machines. We investigated the effectiveness of two technologies marketed to reduce microfiber emissions. Our published study demonstrates that after-market filters on washing machines significantly reduce microfibers in washing machine effluent. This shows that filters added to washing machines can capture and divert microfiber, keeping them out of our lakes.
Working with Georgian Bay Forever, a local environmental charity, we ran a pilot project to see whether we could scale up our initial results in the lab to a small town. In 2019, we began a two-year study installing washing machine filters in over 100 households in Parry Sound, Ontario.
In quantifying microfibers captured at a community-scale, we aimed to:
- Determine whether filters are effective at capturing microfibers in people’s homes.
- Advance effective solutions to keep microfibers from entering the Great Lakes.
Project Results
Filters on washing machines prevent millions of microfibers from entering aquatic ecosystems. A pilot run at the scale of a small town revealed a significant decrease in microfibers at the wastewater treatment plant scale.
Download the full paper.
- Interested in learning more about this project? Visit the project site on Georgian Bay Forever’s website.
- Interested in how this work may inform policy? Read our policy briefs: 2019 / 2021
- Follow our project in the news: Metroland Media, CBC, Newstalk 610 Radio
This project is in collaboration with Georgian Bay Forever and Ocean Conservancy.
