Nike is actively working with stakeholders across our value chain and industry to identify long-term, scalable solutions to address microfibers and microplastics.
Microfibers are fibers that are shed from textiles during production, consumer use or end of life, and may end up in the environment. Microfibers can originate from synthetic or natural materials. Concerns about synthetic microfibers from polyester, nylon and acrylic have increased as part of broader concerns related to microplastics [i]. Nike takes these concerns seriously and is working across industries to better understand the issue and identify solutions.
Nike has been on a long and active journey to assess and work towards minimizing the impact of microfibers. Our work in this space focuses on the following areas:
Industry Engagement
Microfibers release is a problem faced by our entire industry, and we’re more effective at addressing it if we work as a team. To that end, since 2019 Nike has been a member of The Microfibers Consortium (TMC), a collaboration working across our industry, that aims to research the issue and enact solutions. Over the past three years, TMC has organized workstreams to build more robust scientific microfiber data, develop and standardize test methods, and educate policymakers on the topic. Some of these efforts are highlighted in the sections below.
Led by science, we’re proud of the impact TMC has had in addressing the microfibers issue and Nike’s contributions to date.
Global Standardized Testing Methodology
It’s critical to have a common, industry-wide and globally recognized approach to measuring microfiber shed, enabling Nike to analyze the severity of the issue and develop solutions in its own supply chain. Until recently, the industry used an assortment of test methods that made it difficult to evaluate results and focus resources. To address this, Nike supported TMC’s efforts to consolidate around a single test method recognized throughout the industry and available on a global scale.
Looking forward, we plan to support work to make the test method less time-intensive and costly, expanding access to more vendors and improving data quality.
Testing & Research
Nike has joined with other brands in TMC to contribute test results for a variety of material types to TMC’s centralized data portal. By teaming up across the industry and sharing each other’s insights, we collectively benefit from more robust data that will inform solutions. The data has enabled Nike to start work on establishing baseline “shed” values for different material types, and they will get more refined as more data is submitted and evidence-based research expands.
As an example of how additional research can inform solutions, Nike conducted a study to evaluate the shed rate of over 50 Nike materials over the course of multiple washes. The research indicates that the bulk of total microfiber shed occurs in the first few washes. This research will be important in determining where to focus future efforts.
Supplier Engagement
Reducing microfiber shed at a consolidated source, such as a material mill, unlocks the potential to address a significant contributor to microfiber pollution. As such, Nike has organized efforts to work to evaluate microfiber shed at different points in the supply chain. We expect this data to advance targeted solutions and science-based actions, such as adding specialized filters in the industrial washing machines used in factories.
In addition, Nike’s well-established Wastewater Program included in our Code Leadership Standards, in alignment with the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines, underpins our work with suppliers on microfibers. This program addresses total suspended solids, including microfibers. Suspended solids can be removed from wastewater with cost-effective, commercially available technologies. As of April 2025, key footwear and apparel materials suppliers that make up the source base for our 2025 water reduction and wastewater quality targets are utilizing these technologies as part of their wastewater recycling efforts.
[i] In general, microplastics are defined as particles of plastic that are no greater than 5mm in any dimension. Microfibers are defined as being smaller than 15mm in length, with a length to diameter ratio greater than 3. In addition, microfiber composition is not limited to plastic alone. Any fiber within the size threshold is defined as a microfiber, including those from natural sources like cotton or wool.