By Dr Arindam Chakraborty
In Malaysia, the garment market is increasingly dominated by polyester microfibre cloths, prized for their low cost and easy maintenance. These microfibre t-shirts/cloths are typically a blend of synthetic materials, like Polyester and sometimes Nylon, that are tightly woven or knitted to create a smooth, soft, and often moisture-wicking fabric. According to a 2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), synthetic microfibres are a primary source of microplastics that infiltrate our oceans. However, there is an urgent need to explore what happens during their washing. Polyesters are a class of synthetic polymers built up from multiple chemical repeating units linked together by the ester (CO-O) groups.
Polyester sheds more microplastics than any other woven material by making up nearly three-quarters of microplastic pollution in the environment and two-thirds of the microplastics in household dust. This material is used for its lightweight, breathable properties that are made from the same ultra-fine fibres used in microfibre cloths. However, possessing several benefits e.g. moisture-wicking, lightweight breathable, durable wrinkle-resistant and easy to clean these are commonly used as activewear, travel or everyday wear and also for uniforms especially when employees need to stay cool and comfortable over long hours. For these reasons, microfibre is a popular choice.
Research in recent years indicates that domestic laundry practices contribute substantially to microplastic fibre (MPF) emissions, with machine washing being the predominant method responsible for this pollution. This waste effluent from washing machines that contain microplastics will then travel via wastewater to the sewage treatment plants. Due to the small size of the fibres, a considerable proportion could then pass through preliminary sewage treatment screens, which are more than 6 mm, and be released into the nearby aquatic environment. These microfibres can absorb and transport toxic chemicals, causing harm to aquatic organisms and entering the human food web.
Synthetic textiles, particularly polyester, release many microfibres during washing, with losses ranging from 9.6 mg to over 6,877,000 microfibres per wash. Approximately 93.7% of MPF emissions come from machine washing, which shows its role as the main contributor to microfibre pollution. It is also estimated that 5.69 million tons of MPFs are released annually from daily washing activities, amongst which Asia accounts for 3.71 million tons due to inefficient wastewater management. The global nature of this issue necessitates international collaboration for effective management and mitigation strategies.
To reduce the release of microfibres from synthetic textiles into the environment, several strategies can be implemented. First, washing clothes less frequently and opting for full loads can help, as this reduces garment friction during the wash cycle, thereby lowering the amount of microfibre shedding. Additionally, using cold water instead of hot water is beneficial because it leads to fewer microfibres being released. When selecting washing machines, front-loading models are preferable, as their tumbling action tends to generate fewer microfibres compared to top-loading machines.
Another effective measure is to avoid using dryers and, instead, line-dry clothes, as dryers can release a significant amount of microfibres into the air through their vents—approximately 40 times more than washing machines. Choosing clothing made from natural, sustainable, and plastic-free fabrics is also an alternative to synthetic options. Furthermore, using liquid detergents instead of powder can make a difference. Liquid detergents are gentler and less abrasive, reducing the release of microfibres into wastewater. Unlike liquid detergents, powder detergents often contain microbeads, which can add to microplastic pollution when they wash down the drain, ultimately harming marine life.
In conclusion, microplastic pollution remains an ongoing environmental challenge without a complete solution. We may not eliminate it completely, but our efforts above mark significant progress toward a more sustainable, eco-conscious approach to textile use.
The author is YSN-ASM Affiliate Member, and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at arindam@um.edu.my