Fleece is everywhere. We all wear it, even my dog wears one. And has blankets made of it.
BUT studies have shown that each time one fleece is washed 700,000 fibres made of microplastic are shed into the water. Fish (and whales and dolphins and other sea creatures) eat them, mistaking them for food and we eat the fish – so end up eating plastic. Any plastic clothing (nylon, acrylic, polyester etc.) sheds plastic into the water in each wash. One way to help stop this is to only buy clothes made of natural fibres, which will eventually decompose, wool jumpers for instance. But natural fibres can be more expensive, and involve unfair labour practises.
This is a petition to the Gvt. in the UK to ask for filters to be fitted in washing machines. Sign it if you live in the UK and agree! Petition to Get filters fitted in washing machines.
Another way to help is to put all fleeces into a bag before washing.