In the fall of 2016, we wrote to you and asked you to support the production of an animated Story of Stuff Project video on plastic microfibers—the tiny bits of plastic released when clothing made from synthetic fabrics are washed. We were humbled and grateful at the immediate outpouring of donations, and now we are very excited to announce that the movie is almost here!

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Working on this project has been a real eye opener for us. Our research for the video revealed that 52% of all fabric on Earth—from underwear to yoga pants—is made of synthetic (plastic) fibers. And the trend is towards more synthetic fabric, not less, which means more shedding of microfibers into the environment, more plastic in fish and, potentially, more plastic in us.

Unfortunately, unlike microbeads—the tiny bits of plastic in personal care products that our Community helped to ban in the United States late last year—there is no simple off-the-shelf solution to microfiber pollution. The fact is, the companies that utilize synthetic fabrics have to take responsibility. But while some companies have acknowledged the problem, and even started to take action, too many have their heads stuck in the sand. Some haven’t even publicly admitted that their products pollute. Together, we’re going to change that.

Our new movie is going to turn up the volume on this issue, expanding public understanding and creating a chorus of voices demanding accountability and transparency. Our goal is to unlock and encourage collaboration between the clothing industry, scientists, advocates and policymakers, so that we tackle this problem head on and out in the open.

Sign up today to become a microfibers movie insider. Be the first to know when the movie is available---and receive updates on opportunities to make change in the global problem of plastic and microplastic Stuff!