Summary of evidence on textile-derived microfibre

Overview

The evidence on textile-derived microfibres shows that 170,000 tonnes may be lost during processing and production; 1,300 tonnes during domestic machine washing and tumble drying; and over 350,000 tonnes are sent to residual waste at end of life. 

However, it is unclear what proportion of these are microfibres, since the losses reported are the total mass which can include other waste products, intermediates, long fibres or textile offcuts.

More research needs to be done to determine the quantity of textiles-derived microfibres, to enable businesses and governments to focus efforts on the most critical factors for microfibre release into the environment, and the most effective mitigation methods.