What Our Clothing Leaves Behind: A Deep Dive Into Microfiber Pollution

Microfibers — tiny threads shed from our clothing, many of which are plastic — have quietly become one of the most pervasive forms of pollution in the world. They drift through the air, wash into waterways, settle into soils, and accumulate in wildlife and human tissues. Yet many people have never heard of them, and until recently, even scientists struggled to detect them.

5 Gyres is helping shift that landscape. Through new research, public engagement, and policy advocacy, the organization is uncovering how microfibers move through the environment and identifying solutions — both large and small — that can meaningfully reduce their impact.

To learn more about what the science is showing and what comes next, we spoke with Dr. Lisa Erdle, who leads 5 Gyres’ microfiber research, and Andra Janieks, who translates that science into action-oriented communication.