9. Synthetic Clothing Fibers
Not all ocean plastic is instantly recognizable. Microfibers shed from synthetic clothing—such as polyester and nylon—find their way into the sea every time we do laundry.
These tiny threads are detected in ocean samples worldwide and are easily ingested by plankton and fish, quietly infiltrating the marine food web.
Synthetic clothing fibers are a hidden but significant source of plastic pollution.
The Guardian has more on how our wardrobes contribute to this global issue.