Microplastic fibres
Also known as: Microfibres, Textile microplastics, Synthetic microfibres
Tiny plastic fibres (< 5 mm) released from synthetic textiles during washing and wear that enter waterways.
Description
Microplastic fibres are thread-shaped plastic particles shorter than 5 mm, mainly shed from polyester, polyamide, acrylic and elastane textiles. Studies show that a typical machine wash can release several hundred thousand fibres per kilogram of laundry — a large share of which pass through wastewater plants and reach rivers and oceans.
Mitigation measures include more durable fibre construction (fewer loose ends), tighter yarn twists, dedicated wash bags such as Guppyfriend, washing machine filters (mandatory in France from 2025) and generally shorter, cooler wash cycles.
- Origin: polyester, polyamide, acrylic, elastane — nearly all synthetics
- Shedding: highest during the first wash cycles, then decreasing
- Regulation: EU Circular Economy Action Plan, French filter legislation
- Solutions: filters, wash bags, denser yarns, fewer wash cycles
Properties
| Size | Fibre length < 5 mm, diameter 10-50 microm |
|---|---|
| Main source | Washing of polyester, fleece and sportswear |
| Release per wash | Approx. 100,000-700,000 fibres per kg of textile |
| Countermeasure | Guppyfriend wash bag, machine filters, denser yarns |
Related product categories
Sources & references
3- Wikipedia: Mikroplastik Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikroplastik
- Guppyfriend Waschsack en.guppyfriend.com https://en.guppyfriend.com/
- EU-Aktionsplan Kreislaufwirtschaft environment.ec.europa.eu https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en
