Oregon Stop Microfiber Pollution

Surfrider Foundation is working with a coalition of partners in Oregon to advance a bill to effectively capture microfibers before they enter the environment. Senate Bill 526, sponsored by Senator Patterson, would require manufacturers of washing machines sold in Oregon to install filters, a proven technology for preventing microfibers in our wash wastewater. 

Here's a  60-second video that breaks down this issue and the bill or Download our 1-pager here to learn more.

What are microfibers? Microfibers are tiny plastic threads
(< 5mm) and a major source of plastic pollution, shedding from clothing during regular washing. Once in the environment, microfibers are nearly impossible to clean up, which is why interventions across the full life cycle of textiles are critical in preventing these particles from entering the environment in the first place. In addition to exploring critical upstream textile redesign and infrastructure solutions to reduce the generation of microfibers, we need near-term solutions. Fortunately, washing machine filter technology has already proven to be an effective solution.