Microplastics and how to reduce them
A peculiar Olympic Peninsula museum and its link to microplastics
by Shenandoah Marr
My visit to John’s Beachcombing museum
While visiting the Olympic Peninsula last month we drove by a unique roadside display of plastic drums, floats, and other assorted flotsam. I spotted a sign announcing it as “John’s Beachcombing Museum” and immediately wanted to visit.
After paying a modest $5 admission we spent about an hour exploring John’s warehouse- sized museum of discarded things he and friends have collected from beaches over the last 40 years. Although this remarkable collection is displayed in an organized and artistic way I knew that this was garbage, much of it plastic or other synthetic materials. Some items were confirmed to be from the 2011 tsunami that devastated parts of Japan. Natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes are sources of large amounts of ocean debris but these events do not account for the estimated 2000 truckloads of waste that enter the ocean every day. Except for some bones, teeth, and a few shells none of what is in John’s museums should be in the ocean!
There are two large, colorful containers of tiny plastic bits, no doubt pieces of broken down laundry baskets, toys, and packaging. Multiple Yeti coolers, hockey gear, and Raggedy Ann dolls lined the walls. Signs explained they had all floated ashore after the containers they were held in toppled off the cargo ship from China. Lighters, shoes, toothbrushes, legos, fishing gear, helmets with writing in different languages, soap bottles……it was a stark reminder that the solid waste we produce never really goes away.
Strangely I did not walk away feeling depressed. Rather I was moved by John’s excitement over finding these items and his ability to turn it into art. Ocean currents move things around so items often wash up on beaches thousands of miles away from where they entered the ocean, explaining how so many Japanese household items were found on Washington beaches. It was a reminder of how we are all connected. John feels that connection, and he and others have spent countless hours working to reunite found items with Japanese residents who lost everything. For some inspiration on how ocean debris can be a bridge to unlikely friendships, watch the 2016 movie “Lost and Found”.
Microplastics
You have no doubt heard about microplastics - plastics measuring 5 mm or less. They are pervasive in our air, soil, and water and are even being found in remote and “pristine” areas. They are also found in the bodies of animals, including humans.
While amounts and types of plastics vary, and the effects of these substances on lungs and other organs are largely unknown, we can assume we’re not meant to consume petroleum based products that are known to contain upwards of 10,000 chemicals..
Microplastics enter our bodies by eating them or breathing them in. Obvious sources include plastic utensils and food and beverage containers. One source that may be less obvious is our clothing.
Clothing that is not 100% wool, cotton, hemp,silk, ramie or linen contains synthetics. These synthetics (nylon, elastic, polyester, acrylic, spandex) are derived from fossil fuels and are a type of plastic. Synthetic clothing sheds microplastics during normal wear and when laundered.
There are however a few things we can do to limit this shedding and as a bonus they will extend the life of your clothes.
Wash your clothes less often, only when dirty
Hang dry instead of using the dryer. Clothes dryers release microplastics from the vent
Wash your clothes in cold water which releases fewer microfibers. Bonus: it will save you money too!
Use less detergent - detergents increase microfiber release
Purchase laundry detergent made with little or no plastic packaging and minimal ingredients. Detergents often contain harsh ingredients that pollute wastewater and cause skin irritation in some people. Some options include powdered detergent, pods by Dropps, or sheets by Earth Breeze.
Avoid dryer sheets (which contain microplastic and chemicals that break down your clothes) and use dryer balls instead. Bonus: they shorten dryer time!
Other ways to avoid microplastics include seeking out good quality clothing of natural fibers. These don’t have to cost a fortune and can often be found at thrift and vintage stores.
Learning to make refashion and repair used clothing either from your closet or that you’ve thrifted is another option and if you’re really ambitious, learning to make your own clothes from scratch.
SZW teaches these skills and also offers free repair services through our Mend-It Cafe
We believe learning to sew, or repairing textiles isn’t just a wonderful skill to have, it’s a radical act of respect. Respect for the creativity, labor and people behind the production of cloth and clothing. And when you take it a step further, focusing on natural materials, respect for the shepherdesses and their flocks, the farmers and their fields, not to mention the dyers and printmakers; the day to day commitment to grow and harvest quality materials so that you and I can wear a cool T-shirt.
The fact is the true cost of fast fashion is enormous; in carbon emissions from materials production and shipping around the globe, which is responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions, in waste generation - estimated at a garbage truck load a second of clothing going to landfill or to incinerators and, in human health and dignity, for those of us wearing synthetic, chemical laden clothing and for those who make it in questionable environments and often at poverty wages.
How is SZW working to change this system?
Through legislative advocacy, like producer responsibility laws that regulate manufacturers and hold them to humane and healthy standards for people, animals and environment and stewardship programs where producers are responsible for the waste they make. An example is the paint take back program. Rather than dumping a toxic material in landfill, collect it and reconstitute it into new, usable paint or other materials - we are advocating for similar laws with plastic packaging and with textiles. Get involved
Through our newest endeavor modeled after Fibershed and intended to reinvigorate a local fiber industry where producers of animal and plant fibers get a respectful return on their efforts. Did you know that most folks that raise sheep can’t get a dime for the fleeces and instead bury them? It’s a huge loss because wool is an amazing material that can be used as fertilizer, made into weed barrier cloth, band-aids, shoe inserts, insulation not to mention all manner of clothing and textiles, it's a super material that can replace many flexible plastics. Learn more
The other ways we deliver on our mission is through education like the classes we’re teaching in partnership with Art Salvage over the next couple of months,
Through Mend-It Cafe , our textile repair event where people get clothing and household textiles mended for free and through ReCraftLab a project that offers sewing training to immigrant and refugee women for the purpose of producing upcycled goods, items made from materials that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated.
So far we’ve partnered with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture to make totes and wristlets from their old exhibition banners, Harmony Yoga Studio for whom we made meditation cushions and our newest client is Spokane Solid Waste. We’ll be making all of their swag from waste such as promotional fencing and banners.
We’re currently partnering with Thrive International on this program as well as Sew She Can, delivering sewing classes and then employing some of the graduates to make these items and others.
SZW has a vision of establishing a culture of reuse and respect for all materials. You can help us realize that vision by volunteering with us or through the generosity of your financial support.
Climate planning at risk in Washington State
You’ll find 2 bills on this year's ballot that are geared at rolling back strides made for climate planning in Washington State.
Measure I-2117 would effectively repeal Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a piece of legislation with significant financial investments in transportation and wildfire prevention amongst other things. It is being personally funded by Brian Heywood, a hedge fund manager. Heywood has made it his mission to roll back, what many of us believe, is progress for our state and the planet.
Learn more about I-2117 and why we’re advocating for a NO vote
Get involved in the local effort here
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/655794/
For questions about the initiative and the campaign please contact Sterling Rettke at sterling@no2117.com or call (360) 888-8883
Measure I-2066 is looking to change rules regarding energy efficiency in the state. According to the No on 2066 website, “I-2066 would weaken key policies that protect clean air and threaten public health protections against harmful pollution. It could prevent local and state clean air agencies from passing protections that help protect health and reduce diseases like asthma, COPD, and cancer.
More directly 2066 will cost individuals more for energy to heat and cool their homes .
Wool is Wonderful
In an effort to begin the work of building a robust fiber economy here in Eastern Washington based on the Fibershed model, SZW hosted, Waste Wool to Working Wool, the first in a series of webinars on sustainable, regenerative and profitable textile making.
We were blown away that nearly 80 people (79) registered for this event and attendance was over 50%. I think we’re really on to something here. We’re very grateful to Amy DuFault of the SE New England Fibershed for leading us through the discussion and sharing her work on elevating the value of waste wool.
You can watch the recording of the webinar on our youtube channel or read this synopsis of the event.
If you raise sheep or wool animals, grow plant fiber, are involved in processing or are an artisan, clothing or textile designer or upcycler, we’d love to connect with you on this work. Send us an email about topics you’d like to see for future webinars and if let us know if you’d like to be involved in our work.
