The tech giant and clothing brand announce a new wash cycle and filter that reduces microplastic pollution.
Microplastics are everywhere, science tells us: our oceans, our food, and our bodies. Late last year, a study made headlines for finding microplastics in human breast milk. The tiny plastic pieces enter our environment by breaking away from larger plastics such as car tires, though they are also purposefully added to a variety of products, like cosmetics.
We know now that plastic pollution is harmful to the earth – both due to the sheer amount produced and its persistence in the environment, but microplastics pose a slightly different problem. Due to their size, they are easily ingested by marine organisms and end up in the food chain. This can pose health risks due to the chemicals they are made up of, though research on the topic is relatively new.
Reportedly, one of the most significant contributors to microplastic pollution is washing our clothes. Synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon are made up of plastic microfibers, which detach from fabric when the clothes are put under mechanical and chemical stress in the washing machine. The tiny particles can make their way into our water sources by passing through washing machines and wastewater treatment plants.
This is where Samsung and Patagonia come in. Last year, the technology and clothing brands joined forces to tackle the microplastic pollution problem, culminating in a recent announcement that a new wash cycle and filter have been developed. According to Samsung’s press release, the Less Microfiber Cycle cuts microplastic emissions by up to 54% by washing the clothes less abrasively. This is done using a bubble generator to produce a soapy foam “cushion ” that is less harsh on the clothes. The cycle is rolling out to compatible washers this year and is already available in Europe.
The Less Microfiber Filter reduces emissions by catching fibers released in the wash cycle. The filter will be available in select Samsung machines in Europe later this year but can also be purchased separately and added to any washing machine. There are other microfiber filters in the market, too, such as PlanetCare’s.
Different methods of cutting down on microplastic emissions have popped up over the years as the issue has gotten more attention: laundry bags, balls, and even a detergent. Zara’s parent company Inditex recently developed a detergent in collaboration with chemicals company BASF that reduces the release of microfibers during washing. They claim that it can curb microfiber release by up to 80%.
Patagonia is no stranger to climate consciousness. Last year, its billionaire owner, Yvon Chouinard, gave the company to a charitable trust, asserting that any profits that are not re-invested into the business will go to tackling climate change. The company also tests microfiber shedding as part of its quality control and has found that the conversation is more nuanced than deeming all synthetics as harmful and all-natural materials as inherently good, as levels of shedding vary and natural fibers can be released into waterways too.
As regulators tighten guidelines on “”greenwashing,” there is more incentive for other companies to provide innovative solutions backed by research rather than using sustainability as a marketing tool.
Images courtesy of Unsplash.
