Prism99

I just returned a cosmetic product I had purchased when I read the label and saw it had microbeads in it. I did not know about the problem with fleece, but will research it. I don't want to use fleece if it is as bad for the environment as microbeads.

This is not just the same-old same-old plastics problem. The problem with microbeads is that they are so small the filters in sewage systems cannot trap them. There are currently billions of these beads in lakes, rivers and the oceans now. It's not just a problem of fish eating them and being deprived of nutrients. These polyester beads actually soak up toxins, so the fish ingest many more toxins than normal. And, of course, it is the small feeders who eat the beads, which then work up through the food chain to mammals who eat sea creatures -- including us. I assume that the problem with fleece fibers is similar.

In any case, I choose not to contribute to the degradation of the environment for things that I know are damaging. There are many excellent alternatives to fleece and microbeads, so it's not hard to act responsibly.

Cari-in-Oly

You should see the air inside a garment factory where fleece clothing is sewn. You can literally see colors in the air. Years ago I worked at one for a few months. It was a factory for high end catalog clothing like L.L. Bean and Lands End. I quit because even wearing a mask at work didn't help, I would go home every day coughing up colored phlem. My BFF joked that she knew what I'd been sewing every day by the color I was coughing up at night.

Cari

mckwilter

We had to replace our septic system about 10 years ago. We chose to have the water that drains from the washer go into the yard to water the grass and bushes. It does not go down the drain and into the septic system. If you have a big yard, consider diverting the water from the washer into your yard, especially if you are in an area that rations water.

Tiggersmom

We had fleece long before we had plastic, didn't we?

I agree with more research, one study can be biased.

Cari-in-Oly

No. Fleece is made from recycled plastic bottles.

Cari

tatavw01

Who did the study? Very important question!

Jeanne S

I looked into this a little more. James Greiff is an Editor of the Wall Street Bloomburg group. The research study he quoted in the article is called "Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Worldwide: Sources and Sinks", and the study was done by a long list: School of Biology & Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Science Centre West Belfield, Dublin, IrelandCentre for Research not he Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, All School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, AustraliaMarine Biology & Ecology Research Group, School of Marine Science & Engineering, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Canada School of Biosciences and the College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
Evidently this was published on September 6, 2011, in Environmental Science & Technology, (not one of my regular magazines!!! LOL) so is not new.
I googled it an it came right up on pubs.acs.org if you are interested in a little light reading.

lynnie

I've been telling people for years about fleece being made of recycled soda bottles. that's why it doesn't stain and dries so quickly. Look at all the fleece Joanns sells and cuts daily. 2020 is to far away, it must be stopped in 2016. Find a new way of making it and the micro beads too. I don't use normal toothpaste anyway.

Onebyone

Anything manufactured is not good for the environment. When we go back to wearing animal skins and living off the land I guess many will be thrilled that we are finally living green. Then one day in that future someone invents the wheel and off we go again.

laynak

Fleece works so well for pet beds....seems indestructible. It's warm and soft for them in winter too. This is disappointing news. I don't want our pets to be adversely affected (or anyone for that matter)!
Seems that just about everything manufactured has ingredients that produce adverse effects on the environment and human or animal health one way or another.