Microplastics
Every time we wash up with or wring out a synthetic sponge or cloth, microplastic particles break off and are washed down the sink. These can end up in our waterways and oceans.
Polyesters, Nylon, Acrylic, microfibre cloths... unless it is a natural material it will not biodegrade and end up as fish food!!
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size which enter natural ecosystems from a variety of sources including cosmetics, synthetic cloth and sponge materials and industrial processes.
Microplastic particles have been shown to cause harm to sea creatures as they accumulate and block the digestive tract if ingested affecting normal feeding behaviour. They can also have chemical impacts when ingested as manmade chemicals and heavy metals present in water systems and oceans attach to the microplastic surfaces.