4 ms·
I would think air (line) drying would be better in terms of microplastics, since there is no tumbling. Would it be safe to say that (mostly) frictionless line
by kraquepype 4y ago
I would think air (line) drying would be better in terms of microplastics, since there is no tumbling.
Would it be safe to say that (mostly) frictionless line drying would shed fewer particles than tumble drying?
- Retric 4y agoThe dryer collects already loose or broken fibers in the lint trap for disposal. Air drying doesn’t which means those large broken fibers containing several orders of more magnitude more plastic than might escape from a dryer end up in the environment. This is why new clothes result in dramatically more lint than old clothes by weight.
- hunter2_ 4y agoIsn't it possible that tumbling is the only significant source of breakage?
- Retric 4y agoIf that was the case old clothes would produces far more lint in a dryer because the dryer would keep damaging them. Instead the reverse happens with new clothes produces vastly more and it tappers off. They do cause damage, but it isn’t the overwhelming source of damage.
- hinkley 4y agoOld clothes have a lot less fiber in them. Whether your math checks out would depend on the % of fibers lost per week rather than just the total number. Washing machines also have lint traps, and the water treatment plant has to deal with a lot of solids from washing machines. I don't have numbers on what percent comes out in that case.
- Retric 4y agoI am doing this comparison based on weight not individual items. It’s really obvious is you’ve ever washed a full load of new clothes vs old clothes.
- hinkley 4y agoThe dryer abrades the fabric. If you have a delicate or dear piece of clothing they always advise that you air dry it as the fabric will last longer. Those delicate bags for the washing machine are substantially about limiting abrasion from rougher clothing, and also about not accidentally running them through the dryer by tucking inside or clinging to something else.
- Retric 4y agoNormal use also abrades fabrics, the point is normal use doesn’t collect these damaged fibers so they all just end up in the environment.
- soperj 4y agoThey end up in the environment regardless. Where do you put your lint trap material? where does the dryer vent to?
- Retric 4y agoIf you want to be that pedantic the clothes you’re using right now are already part of the environment as are clothes sitting in stores etc. However, using the common terminology a sealed garbage dump isn’t part of the environment in question because sea life isn’t coming into contact with it.