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waste

Microfiber Pollution From Our Clothing – in our Food?

August 12, 2018 by Beth Fiteni

Microscopic views of microfibers
Microscopic views of microfibers. Photos: Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB

Many of us are becoming aware of the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean. But did you know that when you wash your synthetic fleece top, it may be releasing tiny fibers of polyester (which is made of plastic), into your wastewater, which can then contaminate water bodies?[1] A 2016 study found that microfibers (less than a millimeter in length) are being found in oceans as well as land, from the bottom of the Indian Ocean to U.S. farmland. Results found that when synthetic jackets are washed, on average 1,174 milligrams of microfibers are released from the washing machine. “These microfibers then travel to local wastewater treatment plant, where up to 40% of them can enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans (depending on local wastewater treatment conditions).”[2] The Global Microplastic Initiative points out that microplastics do not break down, and can bioaccumulate, affect cell function in fish, and can move from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Microfibers have been detected in “table salt in China, in arctic waters, and in fish caught off the coast of California.”[3]

So what are some solutions?

  • Purchase biodegradable fabrics such as cotton, hemp, and linen
  • Seek better quality spun fibers that don’t shed as much as low quality clothing.
  • Washing machines:
    • Should have a lint filter.
    • Front loading machines tend to cause less shedding than top loading machines.[4]
    • Use a colder wash setting. Higher temperature can damage clothes and release more fibers.
    • Dry spin clothes at low revs. Higher revolutions increase the friction between the clothes.

Learn more in the Green Wardrobe Guide.

#StopTheMicrofiber #GreenWardrobeGuide #Ecofashion #NoMorePlastic

[1] How Microplastics Cause Macro Problems for the Ocean

[2] Microfiber Pollution and the Apparel Industry

[3] Are We Eating Our Fleece Jackets?

[4] What Do We Know About Tiny Plastic Fibers in the Ocean

Filed Under: Health, Plastic, Water Tagged With: clothing, eco, eco fashion, environment, environmental, plastic, waste

Greening Your Keurig Coffee (Part 2)

January 21, 2014 by Beth Fiteni

Last post I mentioned 2 alternative ways to green up your Keurig coffee by avoiding disposable plastic k-cups. Here is a third alternative—a refillable BPA-free pod in which you use your own coffee grounds. When your coffee is ready, you just dump out the grounds in the garbage or use them for compost. Either way you reduce the plastic waste, and still get the convenience of a quick cup of coffee. Also works with teas. Available on Amazon.

mochamate2

 

Filed Under: Food, Green Products Tagged With: biodegradable, Bisphenol A, BPA, coffee, compost, eco, food, green, K-Cup, Keurig, plastic, recycling, tea, waste

New Year’s Resolution: Make Your Keurig Coffee Better for the Earth

January 1, 2014 by Beth Fiteni

Terrace Cafe Biodegradable Kcups
Terrace Cafe Biodegradable Kcups

I just found a great new innovative product that can help you meet your new year’s resolution to be more green. Keurig coffee makers are convenient and offer a selection of individual coffees, teas and cocoa. However, a “side effect” of these machines is that millions of plastic coffee pods or “K-Cups” become waste in landfills or incinerators. Also the plastic used is often #7, which can be different types of plastic, some of which may contain the hormone disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA).

So to my pleasant surprise I just encountered an eco-friendly version of the Kcup, called Terrace Café Cups, made by a local New York company. It uses only a ring of plastic with a biodegradable filter.

Another alternative is to have a fully biodegradable pod, much like a tea bag, that you use with a washable pod holster that you use each time. These are made by several companies including New Hampshire Roasting Company.

Fill your cup with an organically grown beverage, and you are well on your way to being greener in 2014!

Filed Under: Food, Green Products Tagged With: biodegradable, Bisphenol A, BPA, coffee, eco, food, green, K-Cup, Keurig, plastic, recycling, waste

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