Zero Waste Living Ask Me Anything: laundry. It is estimated that textiles produce 35% of the microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans (in the form of synthetic microfibers), which would make textiles the largest known source of marine microplastic pollution, according to a 2011 study and the NYTimes. Microplastics are bad for many reasons but one is that plastic loves toxins and plastic in the ocean can be up to a million times more toxic than the water around it. This tiny plastic is mistaken for food by fish and builds in their systems often suffocating them. Additionally, toxins accumulate in their bodies and make their way up the food chain through a process called bioaccumulation making the species higher on the food chain (often the ones people eat) most contaminated. Doing something as simple as our laundry has devastating impacts on our oceans. Since about 60% of the global clothing supply is synthetic (that number only continuing to rise), it’s so important to take proactive measures to prevent microplastic pollution and reduce the negative impacts associated with laundry including toxic and unregulated ingredients, plastic packaging, energy use, and microplastic pollution that result from our laundry routines. There are three things that I do to have a sustainable laundry routine: 1. Use @thesimplyco laundry detergent free of petroleum based ingredients and plastic packaging 2: use dryer balls to reduce static cling and drying time 3: use a washing bag for any synthetics to prevent microplastic pollution Do you have any other questions about my laundry routine? Let me know in the comments!