University of Plymouth carried out a number of experiments to see what fibres were contained in the water discharge from washing machines.
Nearly 2,000 polyester fibres can shake loose from a single piece of sports clothing in a single wash.
These results suggest a large proportion of the synthetic ‘plastic’ fibres; polyester, acrylic, nylon, found in the environment is a direct consequence of washing clothes.
The problem is these microplastic particles from washing our sports apparel are being mistaken for food in the world’s oceans and being eaten by plankton eaters, who are then eaten by bigger fish, and it all ends up in our stomachs.
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