…a decent filter on a the washing machine seems the cure for now, certainly be very cautious using a “Guppy Bag” (I have two), for the fibres collect at the bottom and rinse through so can (I have found), become airborne after use! This is not good…airborne microfibres…so I have moved away from using a Guppy…certainly only use one if you are properly masked in a well ventilated area or (preferably), outside and have a hand-held vacuum-cleaner to hand…
Washing machines should be sold with them of-course…
“PlanetCare filters efficiency has been tested in several environments to ensure its effectiveness. The results show that between 60% to 80% of all microfibers are caught. The company promises to continue testing and collecting data to improve upon any newly developed filter designs.” https://www.intelligentliving.co/microplastics-filter-washing-machines/
"What is a bioplastic?
A bioplastic is a plastic that is made partly or wholly from materials derived from biological sources, such as sugarcane, potato starch or the cellulose from trees and straw.
Bioplastics are often designed so that they biodegrade or compost at the end of their useful life, aided by fungi, bacteria and enzymes.
Bioplastics can generally be directly substituted for their oil-based equivalents. They can also be made to be chemically identical to standard industrial plastics." https://biomebioplastics.com/bioplastics/
What we need is a combination of filtering and new materials…
Microplastics and our planet: Part 2 – developing a strategy
" What can be done about the extensive use of microplastics in consumer products? While an outright ban represents an ultimate goal, pulling the majority of household products from the market is not a viable option. A phased approach with a clear plan and strategy is what is required.
To assess the impact of microplastics, Digital Journal looks at the extent of the problem and the proposed solution, as a three-part article series. This part looks how international collaboration can help to put a strategy together. The other parts are: Microplastics and our planet: Part 1 – looking at the problemMicroplastics and our planet: Part 3 – addressing cometic productsAn example of such an approach has been outlined by the European Chemicals Agency. The agency began to assess the scientific evidence in 2017. The goal was to propose appropriate regulatory action at the European Union level on microplastics with a view to address those that are intentionally added to products.Most plastic is landfilled or incinerated, rather than recycled. Even when attempts are made to recycle plastic packaging, in many cases the plastic is difficult to recycle. An example is with dark food containers or plastic lined paper coffee cups.
These types of concerns led, in 2019, to the Agency drawing up plans for restrictions on microplastics in products sold within the European Union. This was to either reduce the release of microplastics into the environment or to avoid their release altogether.The agreed goal was to reduce the release of microplastics into the environment by 500 000 tons over a 20 years.The circular economyA further part of the ‘Plastics Strategy’ was with recycling – that is reusing materials rather than disposing of them by landfill. When considered on a wider scale, this forms part of a circular economy strategy.A circular economy (“circularity”) is essentially an economic model focused on eliminating waste through the continual use of resources. Key words in this concept include: Reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling.The action associated with these words are designed to create a closed-loop system. This means minimizing resource inputs ;reducing the creation of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions; and keeping products in use for longer periods, hence eliminating the need to create new products from scratch.StrategyThe proposed elements of the strategy include requiring only biodegradable polymers to be used going forwards for any newly developed plastic products. The second element is to give notice of a ban on plastic used in certain products, such as infill materials. The granular rubber infill material added on artificial turf sports pitches is the largest single source of emissions with the European Union.
The following video provides more information about the strategy: A further element is with plastics production and placing new restrictions on the generation of emissions.TimelinesThe European Union intends for all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable by 2030. While this timeline may be too far away for some environmentalists, it at least represents a target against which a coherent plan can be developed.