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  • Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that typically result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. There is growing evidence that they may cause chemical and physical harms, resulting in negative ecological and health impacts. 
  • Microfibres are released from synthetic clothing during everyday use and laundering. Recently, special filters have been developed to capture microfibres in washing machines before they are released into wastewater. 
  • This bill would require the secretary of state to introduce regulations mandating that all new washing machines in England are fitted with microfibre filters by 2030. It would also impose a duty on the secretary of state to promote the benefits of filters and raise awareness of the impacts of microfibre pollution. 
  • Many environmental groups support the bill. However, some warn that it should not distract from efforts to address the sources of microfibres, for example, by designing better textiles. 
  • In contrast, the home appliance industry has raised concerns surrounding the effectiveness and cost of microfibre filters. It has also argued a need to establish clear standards before making these filters mandatory. 

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