Microplastics Are A Growing Concern For Many Americans, Survey Finds

A new Ocean Conservancy poll reveals a significant surge in American concern over microplastics, with awareness jumping 32% since 2023. Nearly 90% of respondents are concerned, and 71% view plastic pollution as an urgent ocean threat, primarily due to harm to marine life. Americans strongly support solutions: over 80% back mandatory washing machine filters for microplastic fibers and requiring manufacturers to fund waste management. Experts highlight that synthetic textiles are a major source, with millions of microfibers released per laundry load. Washing machine filters are a proven, readily available solution. Calls are growing for government action, reduced plastic production, and industry responsibility to tackle this pervasive environmental issue.

The impact of microplastics is a growing concern for many Americans, according to a new survey.

The poll conducted for the non-project Ocean Conservancy in collaboration with Edge Research, found public awareness of microplastics and its impacts has jumped by 32% since 2023.

Nearly nine in 10 of those surveyed said they are concerned about the impacts of microplastics, with over six in 10 responding they are “very” concerned.

Nearly three quarters (71%) said plastic pollution is an urgent threat to the ocean and those concerned about ocean plastic pollution said they are are primarily worried about harm to ocean life from plastic ingestion and entanglement.

When it comes to preventing microplastics, more than four in five Americans polled supported requiring washing machine to include a filter for microplastic fibers.

And four in five supported requiring plastic manufacturers and producers to pay for waste management and recycling.

Ocean Conservancy’s director of plastics policy Dr. Anja Brandon said the survey reflects how microplastics are a growing concern for many Americans, in an interview.

Dr. Brandon added since Ocean Conservancy last conducted this survey in 2023, awareness of microplastics has jumped by almost a third (32%).

She told me there is already preliminary evidence about how microplastics are incredibly harmful to the oceans and the environment.

“We know that microplastics carry with them all of the chemicals used in plastics manufacturing. We also know microplastics have been found in agricultural lands, and impact crop yields,” said Dr. Brandon

She added previous research by Ocean Conservancy also found microplastics in 16 different types of protein, including red meat, seafood and plant-based alternatives.

Studies have also found that more than one-third of all microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic textiles like clothing.

For example, up to 18 million microfibers are released from a single load of laundry.

Dr. Brandon said washing machine filters are a proven solution to this problem, capturing up to 90% of microfibers from each load of laundry, preventing them from moving downstream into waterways and the ocean.

“We know Americans are concerned about microplastics and may not be making the connection to a major source of microplastics which is incredibly solvable,” she added.

“The technology is available today,” said Dr. Brandon. “It's a mesh filter, and it is really a no-brainer in terms of adding these filters to washing machines.”

Calum Duncan, head of policy and Advocacy at the Marine Conservation Society, said microplastic fibres are one of the most pervasive forms of plastic pollution in the seas, yet they are largely invisible, in a statement.

Duncan added it is encouraging to see growing awareness of the issue and strong support for practical solutions like washing machine filters.

He said preventing pollution at source is always more effective than trying to clean it up once it's reached our seas.

“Reducing microfibre pollution will require action across governments, appliance manufacturers, and the textile industry, from mandatory washing machine filters to improved fibre-shedding standards and tighter regulation of microplastics,” Duncan told me.

"We have the evidence; we now need action.”

And Christy Leavitt, senior campaign director at Oceana, said it was reassuring to see that Americans are aware, concerned, and support action on this issue, in a statement.

Leavitt added it is no secret that plastics have infiltrated our lives through everyday single-use packaging and products like synthetic clothing.

“To effectively tackle microplastics, companies must reduce the production and use of plastic and prevent microplastics from entering our communities, bodies, and oceans in the first place," said Leavitt.

Government policies are needed to ensure that companies act. It’s time for policymakers to answer the very real crisis of plastic pollution with real solutions.”