You do everything with the best intentions; you buy sustainable, second hand and vintage clothing, you limit your washes and air dry your clothes. But you have you ever considered WHAT you’re putting in the wash?
With each wash, countless plastic fibres from synthetic textiles are making their way from washing machines into rivers and oceans. Once in the environment, the microfibres concentrate pervasive bacteria and pollutants. They are consumed by aquatic organisms, which can result in gastrointestinal infections and blockages, reproductive problems, and starvation – problems that ultimately work their way up the food chain.
For perspective; a city the size of Berlin releases a wash-related volume of microfibres equivalent to approximately 500,000 plastic bags every single day.
We’ve partnered with GUPPYFRIEND to make washing easier on the environment. GUPPYFRIEND is a sustainable washing bag that protects synthetic garments and reduces the amount of microfibres that release into our water. Just pop your clothes into the washing bag and it will protects collect the microfibres, which can then be removed by hand after the wash. GUPPYFRIEND not only reduces ocean-bound microfibres but also helps your clothes last longer.
The GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag is available to purchase here.
For more information on what you can do to prevent microfibres entering the environment, explore the TEN FOR THE OCEAN Washing Guide.