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The outdoor wear companies have a micro-plastics problem. They tried to fix it by using other materials, but failed - the products were just not as dirt resista
by blub 7y ago
The outdoor wear companies have a micro-plastics problem. They tried to fix it by using other materials, but failed - the products were just not as dirt resistant or water repellant.
Patagonia introduced in the end a special washing bag for catching these micro-plastics. The problem seems to be currently unsolvable.
- saiya-jin 7y agoWhat about using a fine screener/mesh on drained water in the wash machine (ie similar specs to that wash bag) to filter out all outgoing water? This would add a mandatory step to clean it up regularly (and ideally not with water in the sink so all of it just ends up in waterways anyway). Or some replaceable filter in style of vacuum cleaners, that could last a year or two and wash machine would indicate the replacement time. This doesn't seem unsolvable with proper regulation.
- mikestew 7y agoSuch a system exists, it is sold in Canada, best I recall last time the subject came up on HN. Looked at a few options, then lost interest along with any memory of the details. If you’re seriously interested, specifics should be a minor query challenge.
- justusthane 7y agoIt says in the article that Patagonia is investing in companies researching making artificial fibers out of plant materials. That's probably the answer.
- mercacona 7y agoThere’re wool and cotton that are not artificial fibers. Other companies sell fleece and other gear without artificial fibers using those. May be those fabrics are hard to scale to Patagonia numbers, but there’re alternatives.
- germinalphrase 7y agoI’m fairly ignorant about microplastic shedding. Is it common to all synthetic fabrics, primarily polyester...?