Plugging the Leak on Laundry Pollution – State of the Planet

An average three-pound load of shirts, pants, and socks releases hundreds of thousands of microfibers into the sewer system, eventually entering river and ocean ecosystems. Joaquim Goes, an ocean biochemist at Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, observed these fibers in water samples from the Hudson River. They likely originate from clothing laundry. With the rise of microplastics in waterways, Goes collaborated with plastic identification expert Beizhan Yan to address the issue at its source. A study highlighted the potential health risks associated with microplastic consumption, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further contamination. To combat laundry pollution, a multidisciplinary team is developing a water filtration system to capture microfibers before they enter the environment. The project, funded by NOAA and launching in 2023, aims to design a scalable solution that can be integrated into commercial washing machines. This initiative not only addresses the immediate problem but also contributes to a circular economy by recycling extracted microfibers. Community education programs and collaboration with manufacturers will help bring this technology to households worldwide. The ultimate goal is to make microplastic removal accessible to all communities, safeguarding our waterways and ecosystems.