BILL NUMBER: S5605D
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to enacting the
"washing machine microfiber filtration act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require all new washing machines offered for sale in New
York State to contain a microfiber filtration system to protect against
the entry of harmful substances into the water supply
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill provides that this act shall be known as the
"washing machine microfiber filter act".
Section two of the bill amends the general business law to add a new
section 396-uu to require that, beginning January 1, 2030, all new wash-
ing machines offered for sale in New York shall contain a microfiber
filtration system that removes 90% of fibers and microfibers that are
100 micrometers or larger; provides for exemptions for distributors and
retailers; allows distributors and retailers to sell off their stock of
washing machines acquired before 2030 without microfiber filtration
systems until the end of 2030; provides for penalties.
Section three sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, even in the most remote
areas. Due to their small size, they can bioaccumulate in the food chain
and cause increasing environmental concern. Studies have found micro-
plastics in humans' lungs, brains, and placentas and show that these
particles can cause oxidative damage, DNA damage, and changes in gene
activity.
Microfibers are the most common type of microplastics, according to the
EPA, and are found in several different ecosystems, such as wastewater,
stormwater runoff, rivers, lakes, wildlife, etc. Around 60% of clothing
is made entirely or in part from plastic, including polyester, nylon,
and acrylic. These synthetic textiles shed microfiber through daily wear
and also during washing. Scientists estimate that textiles produce 35%
of ocean microplastic pollution, an estimated 2.2 million tons annually.
An average three-pound load of laundry can shed hundreds of thousands of
microfibers into the sewer system. Most treatment plants in the USA are
designed to reduce organic material in water and are not efficient in
removing fine synthetic particles like microplastics.