103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1284

 

Introduced 1/31/2023, by Rep. Daniel Didech

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
415 ILCS 5/52.6 new

    Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that on and after: (1) December 31, 2024, all State-owned washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system; (2) December 31, 2028, no person shall manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system; and (3) December 31, 2030, no person shall accept for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system. Defines terms.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
5        (1) Microfibers are the most prevalent microplastics
6    found in the environment, are used as a synthetic
7    alternative to natural fibers by the textile industry, are
8    contained in the majority of clothing worldwide, and pose
9    a serious threat to the State's environment.
10        (2) When synthetic clothing and other textiles
11    containing microfibers are washed, they shed these tiny
12    plastic fragments that are difficult to remediate once
13    released. For example, studies suggest that, during a
14    single wash, a fleece jacket can release up to one million
15    microfibers, which explains why microfibers have been
16    found in a range of land and aquatic ecosystems and why it
17    is important to prevent their release.
18        (3) Once released into the water supply, microfibers
19    can harm the small aquatic organisms that ingest them at
20    the base of the marine food chain, and they are eventually
21    bioaccumulated in other marine creatures and the human
22    food web. While we know humans ingest microplastics
23    through the air we breathe, water we drink, and food we
24    eat, the health effects of ingesting microplastics are

 

 

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1    still unclear.
2        (4) Microfibers have been found in Illinois waters,
3    including Lake Michigan and its tributaries, contain toxic
4    chemicals intentionally added to textiles during
5    manufacturing, and have been documented to collect harmful
6    pollutants already present in the environment.
7        (5) Although synthetic fabrics have characteristics
8    that are desirable for the textile industry and consumers,
9    such as being affordable, moisture wicking, and
10    lightweight, there are significant concerns about the
11    environmental impact of these materials and the uncertain
12    impact they have on human health. While research is needed
13    on adverse consequences to the environment and human
14    health of microplastics, some stopgap measures have been
15    introduced, such as recommendations for new laundry
16    detergent formulas to minimize microplastic shedding and
17    recommendations for the use of fiber-catching mesh bags.
18    Meanwhile, the use of microfibers in textiles is projected
19    to grow.
20        (6) Without intervention and significant, costly
21    improvements to the State's sewage treatment facilities,
22    microfibers contained in textiles will continue to pollute
23    Illinois' waters and hinder not only the recent,
24    substantial economic investments that have been made in
25    redeveloping Illinois waterfronts but also the ongoing
26    efforts to restore the State's lakes, rivers, and

 

 

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1    recreational and commercial fisheries.
 
2    Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by
3adding Section 52.6 as follows:
 
4    (415 ILCS 5/52.6 new)
5    Sec. 52.6. Microfiber filtration.
6    (a) In this Section:
7    "Microfiber" means a synthetic fiber that is composed of
8microplastic, intentionally embedded into a textile, and shed
9from the textile when washed.
10    "Microfiber filtration system" means a washing machine
11filter that (i) is capable of reducing by 90% the mass of
12microfibers that would otherwise be emitted by the washing
13machine as a result of its operation and (ii) has a mesh size
14of 100 microns or less.
15    "Microplastic" means a plastic piece less than 5
16millimeters in diameter.
17    "Plastic" has the meaning ascribed in subsection (a) of
18Section 52.5.
19    (b) On and after December 31, 2024, all State-owned
20washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system.
21    (c) On and after December 31, 2028, no person shall
22manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does
23not contain a microfiber filtration system.
24    (d) On and after December 31, 2030, no person shall accept

 

 

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1for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain
2a microfiber filtration system.