Microplastics and Microfibres – The Small Particles With a Big Impact

Both the textile and plastic sectors face similar challenges when it comes to waste — and one of the biggest is something we can’t even see. Most of us have heard of microplastics, the tiny particles that break off larger plastic items and travel through water, soil, and even air. But fewer people know that the textile industry has its own version of this problem: microfibres, microscopic threads released from clothing during washing, wearing, and production. They are almost invisible, but their impact is growing, and understanding them is key to building smarter circular systems.

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. They form when larger plastic products break down through sunlight, friction, washing, or simple wear and tear. Microfibres, on the other hand, are a specific type of microplastic: extremely fine threads released mainly from synthetic or blended textiles. They shed during manufacturing, daily use, washing, and even drying. Natural fibres (like cotton or wool) can also become microfibres — especially when dyed, coated, or chemically treated, which slows down their decomposition.

Microplastics have been detected everywhere: in rivers, oceans, agricultural soils, drinking water, and even the air. Scientists have found them in fish, sea salt, and increasingly in human tissue. The truth is, we still don’t fully understand the long-term health effects. Research is ongoing, and concerns are rising. But what we do know is that once microplastics enter the environment, collecting them is nearly impossible. They accumulate, move through food chains, and remain for decades or centuries.

There are plenty of possible microplastic sources, such as synthetic clothing releasing microfibres with every wash; tyre abrasion shedding microplastics on roads; packaging and films breaking down into fragments; fishing gear degrading in marine environments; industrial processes that generate dust-like polymer particles. Textiles alone are estimated to contribute up to 35% of microplastics released into the oceans, making it one of the largest single sources.

Given the scale of these emissions, reducing microplastic and microfibre release requires coordinated action across the entire value chain. While research into health impacts continues, several practical solutions can already limit the release of microplastics and microfibres:

• Improved textile and polymer design: stronger yarns, tighter weaves, fewer coatings, and simpler material compositions reduce fragmentation.
• Filtering technologies: washing-machine filters, industrial filtration units, and advanced wastewater treatment systems can capture particles before they enter the environment.
• Smarter product data: Digital Product Passports can help identify fibre and polymer types, enabling better sorting and targeted capture solutions.
• High-quality recycling systems: controlled processing environments allow for better containment of fibres, while reducing reliance on virgin plastics and synthetics that further contribute to microplastic pollution.
• Policy measures: Extended Producer Responsibility and Ecodesign requirements encourage lower-shedding materials and more durable, traceable products.

When combined with better product design and collection systems, recycling becomes part of a wider strategy to limit the release of microplastics and microfibres over time.

At RMP, we see microplastic and microfibre pollution as a shared challenge between the plastics and textile sectors - and a shared opportunity for innovation. By improving design, supporting high-quality recycling, and adopting data-driven tools, we can help reduce the flow of these invisible pollutants. Microplastics may be small, but addressing them requires big, coordinated efforts. With the right technologies and partnerships, we can play an active role in shaping a cleaner, more circular future.