VANCOUVER, B.C. (November 19, 2025) – A research paper published today in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry evaluates the efficacy of secondary dryer filtration systems, finding that some devices can capture up to 80% of microfibers before they enter the air. To determine the effectiveness of secondary dryer filters, The 5 Gyres Institute conducted tests in … Continued
Vancouver, BC – Unless rapid action is taken, the health of the marine ecosystem might be under threat from microfiber pollution in the very near future, according to a new study by the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab in collaboration with the University of British Columbia. This study shows how microfibers, which are tiny fibers shed … Continued
The Ocean Wise Plastics Lab recently published findings from new microfiber research, conducted in collaboration with our partners at the University of British Columbia. In this blog, we explore the role of zooplankton in the ecosystem, and introduce the impacts of microfibers. What are zooplankton and why do they matter? Zooplankton are a group of … Continued
Dr Shreyas Patankar, PhD was invited to represent Ocean Wise as a microplastics expert at the 5 Gyres ‘Sailing for Solutions’ expedition. In late September, the 5 Gyres Institute in California and Materevolve organized a sailing research expedition in the San Francisco Bay for a focused conversation on solutions to microfibers in the ocean. A … Continued
A Bathtub Full of Compost Would Contain 1 Plastic Grocery Bag Equivalent of Microplastics! From the moment you use that single-use plastic straw, wrap, or bag, it is destined to end up somewhere in our environment. Every piece of plastic ever created still exists in some form. Over time, plastics break down into smaller pieces … Continued
Wash cycle conditions shown to have significant impact on microfiber shedding New study from Ocean Wise finds washing clothes on gentle cycle can reduce microfiber shedding by over 70%. FOR THE REPORT, CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES RELATED TO THE REPORT, CLICK Here Vancouver, B.C. November 15, 2022 – Microfibers, small bits of fibers similar … Continued
The Ocean Wise Plastics Lab is teaming up with the Canada SailGP team to sample microplastics on a global scale. Ocean Wise research scientist, Kevin Landrini, traveled to Saint Tropez, France to meet with the Canadian team and show them how they can help incorporate conservation science into sailing. SailGP is an international sailing … Continued
By Anneka Vanderpas In 2021, 160 young people (ages 18-30) joined Ocean Wise’s OCEAN BRIDGE PROGRAM, a national team engaged for eleven months in co-creating and delivering ocean and waterway service projects for their home communities. DIRECT ACTION is an exciting immersive program for in-depth learning and youth engagement with oceanic and aquatic conservation efforts … Continued
A groundbreaking new study by Ocean Wise, “Domestic laundry and microfiber pollution: Exploring fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles”, published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, finds it is possible to drastically reduce microfiber pollution through a combination of solutions in home laundry, manufacturing and textile design. Microfibers –fibers less than 5 mm long – … Continued
Ocean Wise is proud to support Conservation X Lab’s launch of a global innovation competition with $650,000 in prizes to prevent plastic microfiber pollution Conservation X Labs, an innovation and technology company that spurs solutions to the extinction crisis, has teamed up with a global coalition of partners, including Ocean Wise, to launch an innovation … Continued
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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.