Setting Sail for Microfiber Solutions: What’s Next?

Photos by Benjamin Von Wong

For the first time in nearly five years, the 5 Gyres team set sail for new research! We gathered leaders from the textiles sector, boarded a tall ship, raised our sails, and embarked on an expedition in San Francisco Bay to chart solutions for microfiber pollution. 

This textiles-focused expedition, in partnership with Materevolve, helped shine a light on the seemingly invisible issue of microfibers. Although we have led many expeditions to remote marine environments in our past adventures, we are now focusing on targeted, upstream solutions focused on the various sectors of plastic pollution - starting with textiles.

An intimate crew of changemakers in the textile industry came on board with two simple goals: conduct scientific research on microfibers, and foster open discussions about potential solutions. Participants ranged from sustainable brands and materials experts, to microfiber researchers and innovators – and solutions are dependent on leaders working together. 

The biggest takeaway from the discussions onboard is the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address microfiber pollution. Participants emphasized the importance of new low-shed materials, understanding consumer behavior, policy development and implementation, and microfiber toxicity. Collaboration between the textile industry and the scientific community is a common thread to address these challenges.

So, where do we go from here?

On the science front, the air and water samples collected onboard are currently being analyzed in the lab at Dalhousie University. Determining the fiber material type and chemical makeup will help us to better understand the sources of microfiber emissions and their effects. 

As we have seen from other sources of plastic pollution, there is no silver bullet solution. The next steps involve a multifaceted approach that includes pushing for legislation, engaging in collaborative research, developing and promoting improved materials, and creating educational campaigns to raise consumer awareness. Downstream interventions can be implemented in the near term to reduce microfiber emissions, like washing machine filters and consumer behavior change (e.g., changes to wash and wear). However, many challenges remain to implement upstream solutions. 

We have taken learnings for the sail, providing valuable insights for microfiber leadership, which we'll use in our next convening in 2024. Stay tuned, and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear more updates!