In today’s world of easy 2-day shipping, multiple charging devices and deluxe washing appliances the average American’s carbon footprint is large, and tends to be larger than much of the rest of the world. In fact, the average carbon footprint for a US citizen is about 16 tons, large compared to the global average of four tons. Many components contribute to this carbon footprint including single-use plastic usage.
The problem with single-use plastics is that most of it ends up in our oceans in the form of microplastics, or small pieces of plastic that are the result of larger pieces degrading slowly over time. These tiny particles are typically too small to get caught in filters in waterways and easily pass into the ocean where they’re eaten by birds and aquatic life. We humans, in turn, consume some of that ocean life and the microplastics end up in our digestive track as well. Yuck.
Luckily, we’re becoming more aware of this phenomenon and there are more tools than ever before to help any given person be more environmental and do more for the planet, including the Guppyfriend Washing Bag.
The Guppyfriend Washing Bag filters plastic fibers that break off of synthetic textiles during the wash and keeps them from draining into rivers and oceans. This self-cleaning bag is made of micro-filter material that catches the smallest fibers and plastics and collects them so you can dispose of them properly after the fact.
You simply load your clothes into the bag, wash as usual, remove the wet clothes from it after the fact and take out the microfibers from the hems of the bag to be thrown away.
The bag not only helps protect the environment but maintains the longevity of your clothes. Through clothes being washed in a protective bag they’re not experiencing as much friction from rubbing against other clothes, and therefore don’t shed as many fibers.
At the moment the Guppyfriend bag only comes in one medium size of 50×74 cm but they’re hoping to have more size variations in the future.
Making the Guppyfriend washing bag is an easy way to incorporate a little environmentalism into this everyday chore. You’ll be a friend to the fishes and a steward to the planet all in one swift go.