feb 03, 2025

Microplastics filtration

What you need to know

Microplastics filtration

Filtering the invisible threat

One of the most urgent issues facing ocean pollution today is the presence of microplastics: tiny particles that often escape cleanup efforts but accumulate in marine food chains, harming both human health and marine life. These minuscule particles, often smaller than a grain of rice, are found in everything from ocean water to the fish we eat. With increasing awareness of this silent threat, advanced filtration technologies are now being developed to tackle microplastics at the source.

Washing machine filters: preventing microplastics from entering the water system

One significant source of microplastics in the ocean is the shedding of tiny fibers during laundry cycles. Clothes made from synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, release millions of microfibers each time they are washed. While many of these microfibers escape wastewater treatment plants and end up in the ocean, new filtration technologies are stepping in to prevent this.

One such innovation is the PlanetCare Filter, a device that can be attached to washing machines to capture microplastics before they are released into the water system. These filters have gained attention for their ability to reduce the number of microfibers entering the environment with each wash. According to studies, a single washing machine cycle can release up to 700,000 microfibers, many of which can ultimately make their way into the ocean.

Ocean microplastic filters: harnessing seawater to clean the ocean

Another exciting development in the fight against microplastics is the integration of filtration systems in ocean-based renewable energy projects. The Orbital Marine Power project, for example, has introduced tidal turbines designed to not only generate clean energy but also filter microplastics from the water. The turbines are equipped with specialized systems that capture microplastics as they flow through the blades, removing them from the ocean before they can be dispersed further. This approach allows for dual benefits: producing renewable energy while simultaneously addressing ocean pollution.

This innovative system is still in the pilot phase, but it holds promise for large-scale solutions to tackle microplastics in the open ocean. The use of tidal energy infrastructure to address environmental issues is a groundbreaking idea that could significantly contribute to long-term ocean health.

Key insights: tackling microplastics at the source

Research conducted by the National Oceanography Centre in the UK highlights the importance of filtering microplastics at source points such as wastewater treatment plants and laundromats. According to their findings, if filtration technologies are adopted at these key locations, the amount of microplastics entering the ocean could be reduced by up to 35% over the next decade. This could have a profound impact on decreasing the global microplastic burden, which currently poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and human health.
In particular, wastewater treatment plants are critical points where large amounts of microplastics are discharged into the environment. By implementing filters at these facilities, significant reductions in microplastic pollution could be achieved before the particles even have the chance to reach the ocean.

The fight against ocean pollution is shifting from reactive measures to preventative solutions, and filtering microplastics at the source is a key strategy. With technologies like the PlanetCare Filter for washing machines and the Orbital Marine Power tidal turbines, we are seeing promising innovations that could drastically reduce the amount of microplastics entering our oceans.
As research continues to support these developments, we can expect the adoption of filtration technologies at wastewater plants and laundromats to play an even larger role in the coming years. The battle against microplastics is far from over, but with the right technologies in place, we can make a significant dent in this invisible threat to our oceans and our health.