Nghe TOEFL

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Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising source of pollution: your laundry. When you wash synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, tiny plastic fibers, called microfibers, break off and go down the drain. These fibers are too small to be caught by most wastewater treatment plants, so they end up in rivers, lakes, and eventually oceans. A single synthetic garment can shed over 1,900 fibers per wash. This is a major contributor to microplastic pollution, which harms marine life. Scientists have estimated that around 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic textiles. Now, some companies are developing filters for washing machines, and others are creating fabrics that shed less. But there's also a simple solution: washing clothes less often and using cold water can reduce fiber shedding. However, the problem is complex because consumers may not realize their actions have such far-reaching effects. So, what can we do? Educating the public is a key step.