Bill Text: IL HB1284 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that on and after: (1) December 31, 2024, all State-owned washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system; (2) December 31, 2028, no person shall manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system; and (3) December 31, 2030, no person shall accept for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system. Defines terms.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-03-10 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB1284 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB1284-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
415 ILCS 5/52.6 new
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that on and after: (1) December 31, 2024, all State-owned washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system; (2) December 31, 2028, no person shall manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system; and (3) December 31, 2030, no person shall accept for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system. Defines terms.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning safety.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Microfibers are the most prevalent microplastics
found in the environment, are used as a synthetic
alternative to natural fibers by the textile industry, are
contained in the majority of clothing worldwide, and pose
a serious threat to the State's environment.
(2) When synthetic clothing and other textiles
containing microfibers are washed, they shed these tiny
plastic fragments that are difficult to remediate once
released. For example, studies suggest that, during a
single wash, a fleece jacket can release up to one million
microfibers, which explains why microfibers have been
found in a range of land and aquatic ecosystems and why it
is important to prevent their release.
(3) Once released into the water supply, microfibers
can harm the small aquatic organisms that ingest them at
the base of the marine food chain, and they are eventually
bioaccumulated in other marine creatures and the human
food web. While we know humans ingest microplastics
through the air we breathe, water we drink, and food we
eat, the health effects of ingesting microplastics are

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still unclear.
(4) Microfibers have been found in Illinois waters,
including Lake Michigan and its tributaries, contain toxic
chemicals intentionally added to textiles during
manufacturing, and have been documented to collect harmful
pollutants already present in the environment.
(5) Although synthetic fabrics have characteristics
that are desirable for the textile industry and consumers,
such as being affordable, moisture wicking, and
lightweight, there are significant concerns about the
environmental impact of these materials and the uncertain
impact they have on human health. While research is needed
on adverse consequences to the environment and human
health of microplastics, some stopgap measures have been
introduced, such as recommendations for new laundry
detergent formulas to minimize microplastic shedding and
recommendations for the use of fiber-catching mesh bags.
Meanwhile, the use of microfibers in textiles is projected
to grow.
(6) Without intervention and significant, costly
improvements to the State's sewage treatment facilities,
microfibers contained in textiles will continue to pollute
Illinois' waters and hinder not only the recent,
substantial economic investments that have been made in
redeveloping Illinois waterfronts but also the ongoing
efforts to restore the State's lakes, rivers, and

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recreational and commercial fisheries.
Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by
adding Section 52.6 as follows:
(415 ILCS 5/52.6 new)
Sec. 52.6. Microfiber filtration.
(a) In this Section:
"Microfiber" means a synthetic fiber that is composed of
microplastic, intentionally embedded into a textile, and shed
from the textile when washed.
"Microfiber filtration system" means a washing machine
filter that (i) is capable of reducing by 90% the mass of
microfibers that would otherwise be emitted by the washing
machine as a result of its operation and (ii) has a mesh size
of 100 microns or less.
"Microplastic" means a plastic piece less than 5
millimeters in diameter.
"Plastic" has the meaning ascribed in subsection (a) of
Section 52.5.
(b) On and after December 31, 2024, all State-owned
washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system.
(c) On and after December 31, 2028, no person shall
manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does
not contain a microfiber filtration system.
(d) On and after December 31, 2030, no person shall accept

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for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain
a microfiber filtration system.