How do clothes contribute to microfiber pollution?

Every time synthetic clothing is washed, it releases tiny plastic fibers known as microfibers into the water supply. A single load of laundry containing polyester or nylon garments can release up to 700,000 microfibers, which are too small to be captured by most wastewater treatment plants. These microfibers eventually make their way into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they are ingested by marine life and enter the food chain. Studies have found microplastics in drinking water, sea salt, seafood, and even human blood.

The problem is particularly acute with fast fashion garments, which tend to be made from lower-quality synthetic materials that shed more readily. Fleece jackets, activewear made from polyester blends, and synthetic underwear are among the worst offenders. While microfiber-catching laundry bags and filters can reduce shedding by up to 80%, they do not eliminate the problem entirely, and adoption remains limited.

This is one of the core reasons ONDU champions natural-fiber clothing. Fabrics like merino wool, organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel do not shed plastic microfibers. When natural fibers do shed during washing, the particles are biodegradable and do not persist in the environment. By choosing brands like Icebreaker, which uses merino wool, or Boody, which uses bamboo-derived fabric, you can significantly reduce your contribution to microfiber pollution with every load of laundry.