Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley) has introduced Assembly Bill 1952, a measure that will require a microfiber filter on all state owned or operated washing machines by January 1, 2022.
Mark Stone
When clothes are washed they shed plastic microfibers that end up in freshwater systems and the ocean. They are eventually found in tap water, bottled water and in fish, table salt and beer. In a recent study an average 11-pound washload of polyester fabrics can release 6 million microfibers.
With the rise of fast fashion there has been an increase in clothes made from synthetic material, which means more clothes washed and releasing microfibers into the oceans and freshwaters.
“California must continue to lead in plastic pollution reduction,” said Stone. “This is an effective way to reduce millions of microfibers from ending up in our ecosystems and in the items that we consume.”
Assembly bills introduced in 2020 have until April 24 to pass the appropriate policy committee.