Slippery fabric finish cuts microplastic pollution

Nylon and polyester fabrics are a major cause of microplastic pollution. Around 500,000 metric tons of microfibers released from synthetic clothes during laundry ends up in the oceans every year. New fabric finishes that reduce friction could thwart the formation of these microfibers. The finishes can be water-wicking or water-repellent, depending on the properties needed for performance wear. The coated textiles remain as comfortable as traditional fabrics and can be laundered. When fabrics are worn or washed, individual fibers rub against each other and break, releasing pieces less than 500 µm in length. Some large synthetic apparel companies are trying to address this problem, mainly by focusing on consumer laundry habits or promoting washing machine filters that trap microfibers. “We want to stop creating microfibers in the first place,” said Kevin Golovin , a mechanical and industrial engineering professor at the University of Toronto. He and his colleagues are doing