Natural fibres in these cleaning products could be worse for the planet than plastics

A recent study has raised questions about the environmental impact of natural fibers in wet wipes, often touted as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials. Companies increasingly produce wet wipes from natural fibers like viscose and lyocell (derived from wood cellulose) instead of synthetic polyester, hoping to reduce pollution. However, Bangor University's Winnie Courtene-Jones cautions that the shift to natural fibers has largely bypassed thorough testing.

Courtene-Jones and her team conducted a study examining the effects of viscose, lyocell, and polyester on soil and earthworms, which can be exposed to microfibers through wastewater. Their findings showed that high polyester levels led to a 30% earthworm mortality rate within 72 hours, which jumped to 80% with viscose and nearly 60% with lyocell. Even at lower, real-world concentrations, viscose and lyocell lowered earthworm reproduction rates more than polyester.

While bio-based fibers may avoid fossil fuel usage in production, Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay of the University of Glasgow notes that these materials might not break down any better than synthetics. "They have a place," she says, "but it’s important to know they may not be environmentally better once they’re in the ecosystem."