Blog #320 Microplastics: Keep Them Out of Cayuga Lake

 Where are these worrisome microfibers coming from? Synthetic apparel made from  polyester and acrylic can release up to 1,900 microfibers per cleaning in a washing  machine. Researchers in England calculated that a 13 lb. wash load could release more  than 700,000 microfibers! Since these fibers aren’t captured at the wastewater  treatment facility due to their size and abnormal shapes, they end up in Cayuga Lake. Granted, not all the microplastics in the Cayuga’s water come from our washing  machines but many do. 

Vote with your dollars, buy only sustainable fabrics, courtesy of qz.com. 

Synthetic fibers are man-made and popular in the fashion industry because they are  widely available, durable, high resistance, lightweight and of course, cheap. Synthetic fibers are either “cellulose-based” (made from the cellulose of plants) or  petroleum-derived. Man-made cellulosic fibers or “semi-synthetic fiber” include viscose  or rayon which are usually derived from wood pulp or cotton. Petroleum-based fibers or  plastic-based fibers include polyester and nylon. 

The most common synthetic fibers-shedding materials found in fashion include: 

• Polyester 

• Nylon (Polyamide) • Acrylic 

• Viscose (new Rayon) • Fleece

• Rayon 

• Acetate 

• Elastane (Spandex, LYCRA®) • Microfleece 

Microplastics filtered from wash water, courtesy of aladry.net 

It should be pointed out that cellulose-derived man-made fabrics such as bamboo fibers, Modal, Lyocell and Tencel® commonly referred to as “sustainable” or  eco-friendly, are just starting to be screened for microfibers. Wash these items as if they  did shed microfibers until it is proven that they do not. There is no doubt, however, that  sustainable fabrics such as ECONYL® and those made from recycled PET bottles release tremendous numbers of microfibers.

Macro pieces of plastic that will break down into microplastics, courstesy of New Scientist. 

While natural textile fibers such as wool, linen, and cotton are present in Cayuga Lake, they do not pose a threat to the ecosystem, fish, or aquatic life as these fibers are biodegradable. Natural fibers can be classified as plant-based or animal-based. They include: 

• Cotton • Flax 

• Hemp • Jute 

• Linen 

• Ramie 

• Sisal 

• Kenaf 

• Alpaca Wool • Mohair 

• Angora Wool • Wool 

• Camel Hair • Silk 

• Cashmere 

Purchasing clothing made of natural fibers is the best fight against microfiber pollution, but this isn’t entirely possible or even realistic, even when buying sustainable swimwear and gymwear, as these are still made from some form of synthetic fiber. In these cases, aim to purchase the most eco-friendly and ethical product that you can afford. 

What you can do to limit your laundry’s microplastics pollution: 

• Reduce or avoid the purchase of garments made of synthetic fibers to minimise the amount of microfibers entering the aquatic systems. 

• If you own synthetic garments such as leggings, bikinis, and bras, use microfiber filtering laundry bags*. 

• Minimise machine washing of synthetic clothing as much as possible, and use a gentler cycle. Remember, more than 700,000 microfibers can be released in one load of laundry! 

*I have used microfiber filtering laundry bags for several years and can attest to their  usefulness. One product, the Guppyfriend Microwaste Washing Bag, is made from untreated polyamide 6.6, which captures microfibers in the washing machine so you can dispose of them properly. The company also works to raise awareness about microplastic pollution and to educate students, adults, and industry partners about the problem. Don’t forget that simply rinsing the microfibers off the bag with water simply returns the microfibers to aquatic system.

The Guppyfriend Microwaste Washing Bag available on Amazon. 

Cora Microfiber Laundry Bal ls trap microplastic fibers in the wash, also available on line.

I have not used one of these laundry balls, but I have used something similar  for catching pet hairs. One example, the Cora Microfiber Laundry Ball, catches microfibers that naturally shed from clothes in the wash. Made from 100% recycled plastic, the ball works by trapping and securing threads in its "spindles" that can be easily cleaned as microfibers collect. 

Eyes to the sky! 

Candace  

Candace E. Cornell  

Friends of Salt Point  

Cayuga Osprey Network 

Lansing, NY  

cec222@gmail.com 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT OSPREYS: 

• AVOID GETTING TOO CLOSE TO NESTING SITES DURING THE BREEDING SEASON. IF AN ANIMAL  VOCALIZES WHEN YOU'RE NEAR, YOU ARE TOO CLOSE! BACK OFF IMMEDIATELY. 

• CARRY BINOCULARS TO VIEW WILDLIFE FROM AFAR. 

• RESTORE, CLEAN, AND PRESERVE LAKESHORE AND WETLAND HABITAT. 

• HELP KEEP LOCAL WATERS CLEAN, HEALTHY, AND SAFE. 

• RECYCLE USED FISHING LINE, WHICH CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OSPREY.  

• JOIN THE CAYUGA OSPREY NETWORK AND VOLUNTEER TO HELP MONITOR OSPREY NESTS. WRITE TO: CEC222@GMAIL.COM. 

• 

EYES ON OSPREYS 

WATCH! 

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam 2021

READ! 

On Osprey Time—A Blog on the Ospreys of Salt Point 

VISIT! 

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail

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