Clothing Brands

What if the next major breakthrough in textile sustainability wasn't about using less—but about keeping more?

The textile industry is operating a hidden and uncontrolled waste stream on the planet through microplastic shedding. When fabrics shed these particles—commonly called microfibres—the water, chemicals, energy, and resources invested in creating them literally wash down the drain. Annual global releases are equivalent to hundreds of millions of garments, representing massive value loss across the entire industry.

The Opportunity

Synthetic textiles release microfibre fragments throughout their lifecycle—from production through consumer use. These particles represent the most dominant form of microplastics and are part of the global plastic pollution challenge. They are dispersed through wastewater systems and air into environments, with implications for ecosystems and potential human health concerns.

While solutions are needed across the value chain—from washing machine filters to wastewater treatment—the most strategic intervention point is textile design that prevents material loss at the source. Creating textiles that shed fewer microfibres means developing more durable, circular materials by design—driving innovations in fiber durability, manufacturing efficiency, and resource protection while delivering benefits across multiple sustainability objectives.

Expertise

Dr. Anna Posacka brings nearly a decade of research and solution leadership in microfibre pollution. Her work spans developing methodologies for testing textile shedding, creating environmental detection techniques, and collaborating with federal agencies in Canada and the US.

As head of the Plastics Lab at Ocean Wise, Anna led the Microfibre Partnership, collaborating with clothing brands and local government on pioneering studies exploring textile design, wastewater treatment, and washing machine filters as microfibre solutions. Her recent work with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Raincoast Conservation, and Ocean Diagnostics Inc. assesses scientific evidence and solutions across the full cascade from product to environment.

Featured Publications:

  • Tackling microfibre pollution through science, policy and innovation: A framework for Canadian leadership. Report Access>

  • Pervasive distribution of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs. Ross et al. 2021. Nature Communications Access>

  • Domestic laundry and microfiber pollution: Exploring fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles. Vassilenko et al. 2021. Plos 1 Access>

  • Me, my clothes and the ocean. Ocean Wise Conservation Association Report Access>

Advisory Types

Briefings and Presentations

FOR ORAGNIZATIONS BUILDING FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OR STAYING CURRENT

    • Science and policy briefings covering current research and regulatory developments

    • Executive and team presentations tailored to organizational needs

    • Written briefings and analysis for leadership, investors, or cross-functional teams

    • Workshop facilitation for strategy development and team alignment

Strategic & Technical Support

    • Expert consultation on microfibre assessment and mitigation strategies

    • Technical guidance on material R&D, experimental design, testing protocols, and data interpretation

    • Briefings on regulatory developments

    • Connections to research networks, testing laboratories, and technology partners

FOR ON-GOING GUIDANCE

Project-Based

    • R&D guidance on textile innovation that reduces material loss while advancing sustainability goals

    • Integration of microfibre considerations into product development and sustainability strategies

    • Research partnership development and technical collaboration

    • Communication strategy for stakeholder engagement and environmental claims

FOR R&D AND STRATEGY PROJECTS

Contact

Dr. Anna Posacka
Ocean Positive Solutions
anna@oceanpositive.ca

For inquires about microfibre advisory services and collaborations.