SACRAMENTO, CA – Over 40 environmental groups and nearly 30 scientists have signed letters in support of California Assembly Bill 1628. The legislation, authored by Assembly Member Tina McKinnor of California District 61 and co-sponsored by the non-profit advocacy groups Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and 5 Gyres Institute, would require manufacturers to include microfiber filters on all new washing machines sold by 2029 to prevent microfiber pollution from entering the ocean and freshwater ecosystems. This letter was submitted ahead of a hearing on the bill set for Tuesday, March 28 at 1:30PM PT.

The advocacy groups wrote:

“Washing clothes is one of the primary pathways by which these microfibers are generated and enter the environment – a single load of laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers! A recent study also estimated that up to 4.85 million pounds of microfibers enter California’s lands and waters each year from washing machines… California has the opportunity with AB 1628 to lead the nation on addressing microfiber pollution and incentivize innovation.”

The scientists reiterated:

“Once in the environment, they are nearly impossible to clean up, which is why upstream interventions are critical in preventing these particles from escaping into the environment in the first place. Thus, it is essential to mitigate sources of microfibers now before their environmental impact further increases… We cannot afford to wait to address the threats of microfiber pollution flowing into our environment.”

Each year, it has been estimated that approximately 6.5 million metric tons of microfibers are released into the environment globally. Studies have found that microfibers are the most common microplastics in environmental samples and represent over 90% of microplastics ingested by marine animals. In animals, ingestion of microfibers has been shown to reduce food consumption, reduce energy for growth, alter gene expression, and block digestive tracts.

Furthermore, microfibers end up in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment, which is often used to fertilize agricultural fields, spreading microplastics on the land where our food is grown. Bacteria and pathogens can also be found on the surface of microplastics, and when ingested by animals and humans have the potential to spread disease.

California has been a leader in tackling the ocean plastic pollution problem. Last year, the state passed the single strongest plastics legislation ever seen in the United States. In 2019 alone, more than 70,000 Californians cleaned 1.2 million pounds of plastic pollution and other trash from beaches and waterways as part of California’s annual Coastal Cleanup Day.

The full non-profit letter and its signatories can be found HERE and below.

The full letter from scientists can be found HERE.

The full bill text for AB 1628 can be found HERE.

More information on the hearing can be found HERE and the livestream will be available starting at 1:30 pm PST on March 28, 2023.

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About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit https://oceanconservancy.org/, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  

About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @conserve_ca or @nature_org on Twitter. 

About The 5 Gyres Institute

The 5 Gyres Institute (5 Gyres) is a leader in the global movement against plastic pollution with 15 years of expertise in scientific research and engagement on plastic pollution issues. The team explored 50,000 nautical miles in search of plastic on 19 research expeditions to all five subtropical gyres and many of the world’s lakes and rivers, publishing groundbreaking research, building a global network of ambassadors, and inspiring change along the way. 5 Gyres conducts research that can drive impact and empowers decision makers to utilize science to implement data-driven solutions.

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March 20, 2023

The Honorable Tina McKinnor

California State Assembly

P.O. Box 942849 

Sacramento, CA 94249-0061

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 1628 (McKinnor) – Microfiber Filtration

Dear Assemblymember McKinnor,

On behalf of our organizations and our supporters throughout California, we would like to  express our strong support of Assembly Bill 1628, which would significantly reduce the amount  of microfiber pollution entering our ocean and freshwater ecosystems, our lands, our air, and  our communities by requiring microfiber filters on washing machines.

Microfibers are one of the most abundant and ubiquitous types of microplastic found in nature, including in California’s agricultural lands, waterways, and coastal environments. Microfibers were the most prevalent microplastic found in the San Francisco Bay according to a recent study. Extrapolating from the study, it is believed that 17 billion microplastics pass through the Bay Area’s wastewater treatment facilities every year polluting California’s environment. Beyond the Bay and throughout California, microplastics have been observed in increasing amounts in Monterey Bay, the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Lake Tahoe, and in Southern California Waterways, and are found in wildlife and their habitats across the state. Microfibers in the environment can act as a vector for the transport of toxic chemicals, posing further risks to wildlife, the environment, and human health. Microfibers have been found in our drinking water, processed foods, meats, and produce. 

Once in the environment, microfibers are nearly impossible to clean up, which is why upstream interventions are critical in preventing these particles from entering the environment in the first place. 

Washing clothing is one of the primary pathways by which these microfibers are generated and enter the environment – a single load of laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers! A recent study also estimated that up to 4.85 million pounds of microfibers enter California’s lands and waters each year from washing machines, which is only projected to increase.

Interventions are needed to address microfiber pollution across the full lifecycle of textiles. In addition to exploring upstream textile redesign and infrastructure solutions to reduce the generation of microfibers, we need near-term solutions to effectively capture microfibers before they enter the environment. 

Fortunately, washing machine filter technology has already proven to be an effective solution. These filters are affordable and have demonstrated their efficacy to capture up to 90 percent of microfibers in laboratory and field trials. There are no significant technical or financial barriers to applying these filters to new washing machines, in fact, microfiber filtration technology is already built into washing machines from major brands like Panasonic, Hitachi, Sharp, and Toshiba. 

California has the opportunity with AB 1628 to lead the nation on addressing microfiber pollution and incentivize innovation among washing machine manufacturers. As a large and dynamic market for washing machines, California represents a significant market share that cannot be ignored. With effective filtration solutions available, we cannot afford to wait to address the threats of microfiber pollution. We respectfully urge an AYE vote when this bill is heard in your committee.

Sincerely, 

• Alison Waliszewski, Director, 5 Gyres Institute
• David Diaz, MPH, Executive Director, Active San Gabriel Valley
• Mike Lynes, Director of Public Policy, Audubon CA
• Tomas Valadez, California Policy Associate, Azul
• Fawn Liebengood, President, Blue Ocean Warriors
• Nancy Buermeyer, Director of Program & Policy, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
• Cody Phillips, Policy Analyst, California Coastkeeper Alliance
• Melissa Romero, Senior Legislative Manager, California Environmental Voters
• Doug Kobold, Executive Director, California Product Stewardship Council
• Nicole Kurian, Legislative Director, Californians Against Waste
• Bill Allayaud, Calif. Director of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group
• Jim Lindburg, Legislative Consultant, Friends Committee on Legislation of California
• Paloma Henriques, Senior Petrochemical Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
• Sheila Morovati, Founder & President, Habits of Waste
• Emily Parker, Coastal and Marine Scientist, Heal the Bay
• Maura Monagan, Policy & Government Affairs Manager, LA Waterkeeper
• Mike Arens, Principal, mikearens.com
• Amy Wolfrum, California Ocean Policy, Senior Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Jordan Wells, Director of Advocacy and Communications, National Stewardship Action Council
• Bailey Hall, Zero Waste Advocacy Co-Chair, Northern California Recycling Association
• Jessica Robinson, President, Northern California Recycling Association
• Dr. Anja Brandon, Associate Director, U.S. Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy
• Ashley Draeger, Pacific Policy and Communications Manager, Oceana
• Kirsten Donald, Director of Education, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
• Eva Cicoria, Founder, Paddle Out Plastic
• Alejandra Warren, Executive Director, Plastic Free Future
• Eva Holman, Board Co-Chair, Plastic Free Restaurants
• Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO, Plastic Pollution Coalition
• Sierra Reiss, Education Coordinator, Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
• Lesley Handa, Lead Ornithologist, San Diego Audubon Society
• Robert M. Gould, MD, President, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Erica Donnelly-Greenan, Executive Director, Save Our Shores
• Abizar Ghiffary, Co-Founder, Seangle Indonesia
• David McGuire, Director, Shark Stewards
• Sakereh Carter, Senior Policy Advocate, Sierra Club California
• Kathy Battat, Volunteer, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Environmental Legislative Action Committee
• Nickolaus Sackett, Director of Legislative Affairs, Social Compassion in Legislation
• Miho Ligare, Plastic Pollution Policy Manager, Surfrider Foundation
• Newara O Brosnan-Faltas, LA Chapter Manager, Surfrider Foundation
• Livinus Renatus, Chief Project Officer, Sustainable Ocean Alliance Tanzania
• Maya Williams, Santa Monica High School Student Team Marine, Climate Action Santa Monica, Human Rights Watch Student Task Force
• Willa Ross, Co-Captain Team Marine, Climate Action Santa Monica, Human Rights Watch Student Task Force
• Christopher Chin, Executive Director, The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE)
• Jay Ziegler, Director of External Affairs and Policy, The Nature Conservancy
• Scott Webb, Advocacy Director, Turtle Island Restoration Network
• Lisa Gilfillan, Ocean Conservation Manager, WILDCOAST
• Mati Waiya, Executive Director, Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation