In order to reduce pollutant emissions in road traffic, the EU regularly sets stricter limit values ​​- and vehicle manufacturers have to adhere to them.
This is different with household appliances. The EU does indeed have the energy label. This certifies that household appliances work particularly efficiently and thus consume little electricity and water. This is a good decision-making aid for customers - as these devices save money in the long term - and at first glance they are even good for the environment.
However, washing machines emit hundreds of thousands of synthetic fibers with each wash cycle. Multiplied by billions of wash cycles worldwide, this results in a gigantic amount of microplastic that reaches rivers, lakes and oceans almost unfiltered via sewage. Day after day, year after year.
Synthetic fibers from washing machines make up a large part of the microplastics in the world's oceans nowadays!
And once it arrives in the food chain, sooner or later it ends up on our plate.
[1] Source: IUCN Plastics Report (Seite 34)
Weblinks:

• Video: The Story of Microfibers
• Washing Guide: Ten for the Ocean
• Washing Bag against microplastic pollution: Guppyfriend
• Movie tip: Blue - The Film