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. LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new 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. LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new 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. LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b A BILL FOR HB1284LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b 1 AN ACT concerning safety. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds that: 5 (1) Microfibers are the most prevalent microplastics 6 found in the environment, are used as a synthetic 7 alternative to natural fibers by the textile industry, are 8 contained in the majority of clothing worldwide, and pose 9 a serious threat to the State's environment. 10 (2) When synthetic clothing and other textiles 11 containing microfibers are washed, they shed these tiny 12 plastic fragments that are difficult to remediate once 13 released. For example, studies suggest that, during a 14 single wash, a fleece jacket can release up to one million 15 microfibers, which explains why microfibers have been 16 found in a range of land and aquatic ecosystems and why it 17 is important to prevent their release. 18 (3) Once released into the water supply, microfibers 19 can harm the small aquatic organisms that ingest them at 20 the base of the marine food chain, and they are eventually 21 bioaccumulated in other marine creatures and the human 22 food web. While we know humans ingest microplastics 23 through the air we breathe, water we drink, and food we 24 eat, the health effects of ingesting microplastics are 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Daniel Didech SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new 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. LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b A BILL FOR 415 ILCS 5/52.6 new LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284- 2 -LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 2 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 2 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b 1 still unclear. 2 (4) Microfibers have been found in Illinois waters, 3 including Lake Michigan and its tributaries, contain toxic 4 chemicals intentionally added to textiles during 5 manufacturing, and have been documented to collect harmful 6 pollutants already present in the environment. 7 (5) Although synthetic fabrics have characteristics 8 that are desirable for the textile industry and consumers, 9 such as being affordable, moisture wicking, and 10 lightweight, there are significant concerns about the 11 environmental impact of these materials and the uncertain 12 impact they have on human health. While research is needed 13 on adverse consequences to the environment and human 14 health of microplastics, some stopgap measures have been 15 introduced, such as recommendations for new laundry 16 detergent formulas to minimize microplastic shedding and 17 recommendations for the use of fiber-catching mesh bags. 18 Meanwhile, the use of microfibers in textiles is projected 19 to grow. 20 (6) Without intervention and significant, costly 21 improvements to the State's sewage treatment facilities, 22 microfibers contained in textiles will continue to pollute 23 Illinois' waters and hinder not only the recent, 24 substantial economic investments that have been made in 25 redeveloping Illinois waterfronts but also the ongoing 26 efforts to restore the State's lakes, rivers, and HB1284 - 2 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284- 3 -LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 3 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 3 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b 1 recreational and commercial fisheries. 2 Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by 3 adding Section 52.6 as follows: 4 (415 ILCS 5/52.6 new) 5 Sec. 52.6. Microfiber filtration. 6 (a) In this Section: 7 "Microfiber" means a synthetic fiber that is composed of 8 microplastic, intentionally embedded into a textile, and shed 9 from the textile when washed. 10 "Microfiber filtration system" means a washing machine 11 filter that (i) is capable of reducing by 90% the mass of 12 microfibers that would otherwise be emitted by the washing 13 machine as a result of its operation and (ii) has a mesh size 14 of 100 microns or less. 15 "Microplastic" means a plastic piece less than 5 16 millimeters in diameter. 17 "Plastic" has the meaning ascribed in subsection (a) of 18 Section 52.5. 19 (b) On and after December 31, 2024, all State-owned 20 washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system. 21 (c) On and after December 31, 2028, no person shall 22 manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does 23 not contain a microfiber filtration system. 24 (d) On and after December 31, 2030, no person shall accept HB1284 - 3 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284- 4 -LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 4 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b HB1284 - 4 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b 1 for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain 2 a microfiber filtration system. HB1284 - 4 - LRB103 04637 CPF 49645 b