Textiles Are A Major Source of Ocean Microplastics.

Most people think of plastic pollution as bottles and bags. But a big chunk of what ends up in the ocean is way smaller, and comes from clothing.

When synthetic fabrics (like polyester, nylon, acrylic) are washed and worn, they shed tiny plastic fibres. These fibers are a type of microplastic often called microfibres. Because they’re so small, they can move through waterways and build up in the environment over time.

 

What The Research Is Showing

  • Studies regularly find that microfibres are one of the most common forms of microplastics in the ocean. One global surface-water study found the majority of microplastics collected were fibrous. 

  • A widely referenced estimate from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) suggests washing synthetic textiles is a major contributor to “primary” microplastics reaching the ocean (often quoted at ~35% of primary microplastics). 

Quick note: numbers vary depending on location, testing methods, and what “microplastics” includes. The trend is consistent though—synthetic textiles are a meaningful source.

 

How Do Microfibres Get To The Ccean?

A simplified version looks like this:

  1. Washing + wearing sheds fibers from synthetic fabric

  2. Fibers go down the drain into wastewater

  3. Treatment plants catch some, but not all fibers (and not every area has the same level of filtration)

  4. The remainder can move into rivers → estuaries → ocean

 

Why It Matters

Microfibers don’t behave like natural fibers. They’re plastic, so they can persist in the environment, and they can be eaten by marine life. Researchers are still working out the full long-term impacts, but the direction isn’t great.

 

What You Can Do (Without Turning Your Life Upside Down)

If you wear synthetics (most of us do at some point), here are practical ways to reduce shedding:

  • Wash less when the item isn’t actually dirty

  • Wash on gentle / cold, with a full load (less friction)

  • Avoid over-washing brand new synthetics (early washes can shed more)

  • Use a microfibre filter / catcher (washing machine filters, laundry bags, etc.)

  • When you’re buying new: choose natural fibres where it makes sense (wool, cotton, hemp, linen)

 

Why We Build With Natural Fibres

At MARINE|O we’re trying to make the “default” option better—starting with shorts made from 100% merino, not plastic-based synthetics.

If you want to dig deeper, we’ll keep adding simple research breakdowns in the Learn section.

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