We may think of washing machines as mere household appliances, but new research suggests that these machines can also contribute to help in cleansing the environment by filtering out microplastics.
A study recently conducted at Harvard University has revealed that most top-loading washing machines can act as a filter for microplastics released into the water supply from clothing fibers, ultimately trapping those particles before they enter the ocean. The study states that during a single wash cycle, a single washing machine can filter several hundred thousand microplastic particles that are about 10-100 microns in size.
The potential for washing machines to filter out microplastics has not gone unnoticed. A San Francisco-based start-up, called Filterfield, harnesses this technology to make microfiber filters for washing machines. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign, Filterfield has been able to raise over $10 million to go industrial and bring its product to the masses.
Filterfield’s approach towards cleaning the oceans involves retrofitting one washer at a time with its specially designed filter, which captures and traps the plastic particles throughout the wash cycle. The start-up is currently focusing its efforts on onboarding hotels, hospitals and apartment complexes, offering building owners and tenants a way to reduce their environmental footprint, and protect our oceans from microplastic pollutants.
Going forward, Filterfield is hoping to expand its services and create more advanced filters that can trap particles on a much smaller scale. Its ultimate goal is to reduce the number of microplastics entering our oceans, and champion an industry shift away from producing plastic-based textiles and microfibers.
The partnership between Filterfield and washing machines is a promising one; it brings together technology and sustainability in an effort to reduce microplastic pollution. With such a powerful and proactive solution, we may be able to reclaim our oceans and give them the protection that they deserve.