Stop Ocean Threads

Our clothes are made of millions of tiny fibres, the majority of which are plastic. With every wash, microfibres shed from our clothes and end up in the environment. We've been campaigning to #StopOceanThreads and get filters fitted in washing machines.

Campaign update: 21st November 2023

On 21st November 2023, we handed in our Stop Ocean Threads petition calling for the introduction of mandatory microfibre filters for washing machines by 2024 after receiving over 44,000 signatures.

A huge thank you to everyone who used their voice to campaign for change.

Read on to find out more about this four-year campaign and what happens next.

The problem

Washing synthetic clothes accounts for 35% of primary microplastics found in the environment. An estimated 9.4 trillion fibres are released from washes every week in the UK, so it’s not surprising that billions of them end up in the ocean.

of clothes made from synthetic fibres

of shrimp in the North Sea contain synthetic fibres

Worryingly, fish eat these fibres, which means they’re heading for our plates. 63% of shrimp in the North Sea contain synthetic fibres.

The solution

We're asking UK Government to require washing machine manufacturers to fit microfibre filters in all new domestic and commercial machines, by law, by 2025.

Our initial deadline of 2023 has been missed. With France implementing filters into new washing machines by 1st January 2025, we're asking the UK Government, as a minimum, takes action by then.

The best way to stop the flow of microfibres into our ocean is to fit filters in washing machines. The filters would be internally fitted in domestic and commercial washing machines and would capture microfibres in the same way lint is caught in tumble driers, stopping fibres at source.

These filters will make a real difference to microfibre pollution in our seas. Governments and business must work together to stop ocean threads at source.
Ella Daish, Campaigns Officer

Campaign updates

MP Alberto Costa presents Microfibre Bill to Parliament for second time

Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicester, motioned the Houses of Parliament to bring in a Bill requiring manufacturers to fit microplastic-catching filters to new domestic and commercial washing machines for a second time on the 2nd November 2022.

Costa, who has been pushing for UK Government action on microfibres for over a year made the connection between microplastic fibres and human health, stating “Recent research has also shown that microplastics are also in the lungs and blood of some human beings. That means that some of us here today already have microfibre plastics in our bodies, possibly even you, Mr Speaker—“

You can read more here

MP Alberto Costa tables second question to DEFRA

Alberto Costa, asked DEFRA: “To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent microfibre plastic pollution.”

Rebecca Pow, responded: “I know of the hon. Member’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution, and in particular the issue of microfibres, where he has ably chaired an All-Party Parliamentary Group. Following the report of that APPG, Defra commissioned a rapid evidence assessment to understand the potential impact of this proposal.

Along with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, we are reviewing the assessment report, and considering what action, if any, is appropriate.”

You can read more here

MP Alberto Costa presents Microfibre Bill to Parliament

Alberto Costa, said: “Microfibre plastic pollution is one of the most pervasive and preventable forms of microplastic pollution, with 35% of total microplastics released into the environment being shed from clothing.”

You can read more here.

MP Alberto Costa tabled a question to DEFRA

Alberto Costa, asked DEFRA: “To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the appliance industry on introducing microfibre catching filters in washing machines to help mitigate microfibre plastic pollution.”

Rebecca Pow, responded: “The Government currently has no plans to require manufacturers to install microfibre catching filters on new washing machines and is working with industry to encourage improved environmental outcomes and reduce water pollution on a voluntary basis.

In 2020 Defra published the outcome of research into the sources and pathways of synthetic fibres and vehicle tyre wear contamination into the marine environment. A key conclusion from this research was that there are a large number of textile fibres in the air close to roads, particularly those with pedestrians, which could settle into waterways. This amount is much greater than the number of textile fibres entering the water environment from waste-water treatment plants, suggesting that washing machine filters would have a minimal effect on the number of microplastic fibres that enter the water environment.

Defra will continue to assess new and emerging evidence in this area to inform policy options for tackling microplastic pollution.”

You can read more here

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Microplastics publishes report highlighting action needed on microfibres

On 21st September 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Microplastics published it's first report, 'Microplastic Policies for the Government'. The report highlights the action needing to be taken to tackle microfibre pollution, including recommending that microfibre filters be fit in all new domestic and commercial washing machines from 2025.

We're delighted that our research, and our supporters' voices, have contributed to this vital step to stop trillions of plastic fibres polluting our ocean every week. You can read the report here and find out more about the APPG and our involvement here.

Grundig launches the world’s first integrated microfibre filter washing machine

Grundig has teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society in a bid to raise further awareness of microfibre plastic pollution and encourage people to take action. The home appliance brand recently launched the world’s first integrated FiberCatcher® technology washing machine that catches up to 90 per cent of the synthetic microplastic fibres released during synthetic wash cycles.