In 2022, the research group 'Science in and with Society: reducing emissions of Textile Microplastics in the Netherlands', also known as SISTEM-NL, was launched at the University of Amsterdam. Since then, we have carried out two major projects: Microplastic Emissions from Textiles Amsterdam (META) and Alle Scholen Verzamelen (ASV). Additionally, in collaboration with Sustainalab, we have set up a washing machine on the Amsterdam campus where you can do your laundry for free. In 2025, we will begin the next phase, where Dutch citizens will do their laundry at home for science!
Research into microplastics
During the washing of clothes, thousands of microfibers and microplastics are released, with a portion of them eventually ending up in nature. Our research group aims to better understand when these microfibers and microplastics are released and how we can reduce this emission. To achieve this, we need the help of Dutch citizens in order to work together toward a cleaner environment.
Microplastic Emissions from Amsterdam
In 2022-2023, around 70 citizen scientists collected microplastic data at home by washing their clothes in special laundry bags and using a lint roller to remove the fibers from the bag. In addition, participants filled out questionnaires to report details about their laundry. At the same time, we analysed the perceptions of the participants and the broader Dutch public about microplastics in clothing and their willingness to adjust their behavior to reduce their emissions.
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These results were presented at the European Citizen Science Association Conference in Vienna (April 2024). We are currently working on a publication regarding the setup of the project – and the results of the psychological survey.
Alle Scholen Verzamelen
On November 7, 2023, we gathered data on microplastics with 1,500 children from various primary schools. Together with their teachers, they collected 2,200 samples and sent them to the University of Amsterdam to be scanned.
More than half of the clothing was new or less than a year old. The garments with a high cotton content released more fibers than other fabrics (around 700 fibers per sticker). For polyester, the average was lower (around 500 fibers), but since polyester does not break down in nature, this does not mean that the environmental impact is less. Currently, researchers are investigating how washing methods affect the release of fibers.
Curious about how the day went?
Sustainalab
Together with Sustainalab, we opened a laundry lab at the Science Park campus in June 2024, where everyone can do their laundry for free. You wash your clothes, fill out a short questionnaire, and we collect the fibers using a filter connected to the washing machine in the lab.
Curious about how this works and interested in doing your own laundry?
Doing your laundry at home for science?
The experiences within META and the wash hub at Sustainalab are being combined in the final phase of SISTEM-NL: rolling out washing machine filters in people's homes. Participants can – with a limited time investment – collect long-term data on the microfibers released during their laundry.
We have already collaborated with students from InHolland University of Applied Sciences (Living Lab SustainableFashion) on people's willingness to participate. Currently, we are working on the protocol for data collection and hope to start recruiting participants in 2025.
Are you curious about how you can contribute to this research from home?