Dear Members of the California State Assembly and Senate, 

We are concerned students and citizens of California calling for urgent action against plastic microfiber pollution: microplastic pollution released from textiles in the form of fibrous strands less than 5mm long. We are asking the State of California to urgently address this problem by enforcing the California Statewide Microplastic Strategy by passing legislation to prevent microfiber pollution from entering the environment originating from washing machines. 

During home laundering, plastic microfibers are released and find their way into wastewater treatment plants. Shockingly, a single load of laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers with many going directly into the ocean. Even those captured in treatment facilities become part of sewage sludge used as fertilizer on agricultural land, further contaminating our food, soil, and water.

Microfibers comprise approximately 35 percent of all microplastics in our oceans, presenting a global challenge. This is concerning because microfibers carry toxic pollutants and dyes, posing health risks to marine animals and to humans who consume seafood contaminated with microfibers, breathe polluted air, and drink water with microfibers. Like all microplastics, once introduced into the environment, microfibers are impossible to remove, which is why they must be stopped at the source. 

Microplastics, including microfibers, have been found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It is the responsibility of the State of California government to safeguard our health and environment, which is why we demand that the government pass new microfiber legislation now.

Microfiber pollution is an issue of importance to the public. We are calling on the California Assembly and Senate to urgently address microplastic and microfiber pollution. Plastic is not meant to be in the environment and is a threat to the health of our children, grandchildren, and every generation after. They do not deserve to inherit an environment increasingly polluted by plastic microfibers, which is why we urge you to pass legislation addressing microplastics and microfibers now. 

Thank you for hearing our urgent concerns about microplastic pollution and taking action to address them.