In the Netherlands, approximately 430,000 kilograms of microplastics were released from clothing and shoes in 2022. Across Europe, this was more than 10 million kilograms. This mainly occurs through wearing clothes and the wear of shoe soles, but also during the (first) washing cycles. These microplastics pollute the environment and can be harmful to nature and health. The best measure to counter this is to produce clothing with fewer synthetic fibers. Consumers can also contribute by buying fewer new clothes and shoes. This is evident from research by the RIVM.

Microplastics are very small plastic particles. They mainly enter the environment through tire wear, plastic waste, and plastic pellets used by industry. In 2024, the RIVM published an extensive report on this topic. These small plastic particles are harmful to nature and pollute surface water, air, and soil. They may also be harmful to health. Microplastics from clothing and shoes are an increasing problem in the environment. They are released when wearing clothes, washing and drying (mainly during the first few times), and wearing shoes.

Without measures, emissions will continue to increase

Emissions of microplastics from clothing and shoes in the Netherlands were 430,000 kilograms in 2022. Without measures, emissions are expected to more than double by 2050.

Measures with the greatest effect

The RIVM studied 13 measures to reduce microplastic emissions. The four measures with the greatest effect are:

  • Producing clothing that loses fewer fibers. (producers)
  • Using materials that are biodegradable and contain fewer synthetic fibers. (producers)
  • Encouraging people to use clothing longer and combating fast fashion. (government and consumers)
  • Adjusting washing and drying programs for synthetic clothing, for example, a washing program with lower spin speed combined with less machine drying. (consumers)

The first two measures have the greatest effect, and a combination across the entire chain yields even more. Legal obligations and clear standards are needed to achieve this effect. It is up to the government and producers of clothing and washing machines to work this out together.

The last two measures have a smaller effect but immediately reduce environmental pollution. They give people the opportunity to do something about this problem themselves. Milieu Centraal provides advice to consumers (external link).

Recommendations

The RIVM only looked at microplastic emissions from clothing and shoes in this study. Costs of measures or effects of other production processes and materials on, for example, climate change were not considered. For example, cotton cultivation uses a lot of water and pesticides. The RIVM recommends also considering these points when choosing measures. It also recommends encouraging manufacturers and other stakeholders to make the textile chain more sustainable based on this research.

The RIVM conducted this research on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.