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Canada, it’s time to
#WashSmarter.
The #WashSmarter Canada Campaign is an environmental campaign launched by Thông Quách with The 5 Gyres Institute to combat microfiber polllution from washing machines in Canada!
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Canada's ecosystems are being polluted by our washing machines.
Microfibers are tiny threads (<5 mm) shed from our clothing.
Clothing can be made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, and linen or synthetic materials such as polyester, spandex, and nylon. Synthetic materials are different types of plastic made from the burning of fossil fuels, so they don't decompose. However, they can be notorious polluters when released into our environment. 60% of clothing is still made from synthetic materials.
Up to 18 million microfibers are released each cycle in a washer.
Microfiber pollution has been found everywhere, from our agricultural crops to bodies of water such as rivers and oceans, and even in many animals and wildlife. Scientists have even found synthetic microfibers in the tissue and bloodstream of the human heart. Depending on infrastructure capabilities, wastewater treatment plants can't capture all microfibers due to their microscopic size.
Up to 89% of microfibers are captured in filters installed in washers.
The goal of the #WashSmarter Canada campaign is to push policymakers in Canada to mandate microfiber filters in all new washing machines to prevent the pollution of synthetic microfibers in our environment and educate young Canadians regarding the impacts of plastic microfiber pollution in our natural ecosystems through numerous different methods of communication.
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We work hard to protect our environment.
Learn more about our initiatives!
The #WashSmarter Canada Campaign’s primary goal is for Canada to have legislation mandating the addition of microfiber filters in all new washing machines. In order to achieve this objective, we launch initiatives within the campaign that all work towards our goal of mandated filters. If you want to help us achieve our goals and join the campaign for a cleaner Canada, explore the initiatives below!
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#Petition2024 is the largest initiative led by youth in Canada to push policymakers for legislation requiring washer filtration.
Member of Parliament Laurel Collins from Victoria, BC, has agreed to present #Petition2024 in the House of Commons once a representative from #WashSmarter Canada releases the final campaigning and signee collection date for #Petition2024. #WashSmarter Canada's #Petition2024 is a paper petition campaign built around compliance with the House of Commons procedures. Digital signatures will not be accepted for this purpose. Therefore, please print out the following files.
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Hello! My name is Thông Quách
I’m the founder of #WashSmarter!
I am a 16-year-old student researcher driven by my passion for protecting the resources of our natural ecosystems. I have multiple years of experience collaborating with universities and government research institutions. I possess skills in public relations and communications, working with public and private stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and hundreds of democratically elected governmental representatives from all levels of power. Let’s work together on building a cleaner Canada!
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Contact Information
The #WashSmarter Canada Campaign is financed by its campaign lead, Thông Quách. It cooperates with 5 Gyres for research and policy recommendations. The 5 Gyres Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has been in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2017.