Marine Debris Program Presents at American Apparel & Footwear Association Environmental Committee Meeting
AUGUST 7, 2023 — On July 25, 2023, the NOAA Marine Debris Program attended and presented at a Making Sense of Microfibers & Microplastics Policy session at the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Environmental Committee Meeting, held in Boston, MA.
Carlie Herring, Marine Debris Program Research Coordinator, gave a presentation on the Report on Microfiber Pollution, one of a number of marine debris and waste management reports mandated in the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. She also participated in a panel discussion on the microfiber issue along with Jamie Griggs (Hohenstein) and Krystle Moody Wood (Materevolve), moderated by Chelsea Murtha (AAFA). The session focused on the latest science regarding microfiber pollution, the Report on Microfiber Pollution, and solutions and recommendations relevant to the textile industry.
The AAFA represents more than 1,000 name brands, retailers, and manufacturers. AAFA’s mission is to deliver “a unified voice on key legislative and regulatory issues. AAFA enables a collaborative forum to promote best practices and innovation.” The AAFA holds quarterly environmental committee meetings to discuss relevant environmental issues that overlap with the apparel and footwear industries. Integrating discussions about microfiber pollution into these meetings reflects positive cross-stakeholder relationship building and progress toward addressing the issue in the future.