Tackling microplastic pollution: Insights and solutions from our UK whitepaper.

Matter proudly presents key insights derived from a major whitepaper co-authored in collaboration with A Plastic Planet, 5 Gyres Institute, Xeros and Planetcare.

The Whitepaper was presented to politicians during a Matter roundtable event at the Houses of Parliament on the 5th March 2024, supporting calls for the UK government to do more to tackle microplastic pollution by mandating for filters in all new washing machines.

Key takeaways from UK whitepaper

Takeaway 1: Major sources of microfibre pollution

There are several sources of microfibres and various pathways through which they enter the environment. These include the production and disposal of textiles but also everyday acts such as wearing and washing our clothes.

• Studies show that most textile-based primary microplastics are released in the consumer use and laundry phases[i][ii].

• Textiles shed microfibres during washing due to the effects of water, friction and abrasion, and detergents.[iii] Shedding varies between fabrics and materials, but research shows that some garments can shed hundreds of thousands of microfibres in a single laundry load.[iv]

•  Synthetic fibres currently represent a 69% textile market share, and this figure is expected to reach almost 75% by 2030 (a total of more than 101 million tonnes).[v]

• Natural fibres have often been overlooked and ignored despite the ecotoxicological risks posed by chemical dyes and finishes that are added to the fibres during processing. A study into the biodegradability of cotton showed that the time it takes for cotton to biodegrade would in part depend on the finishes applied during production.[vi]

Takeaway 2: Solutions to microfibre pollution from textiles

A variety of solutions are needed to reduce the release of microfibres in the environment. The fashion and laundry industries must undergo significant transformations, with fundamental changes required.

• Reduction of synthetics

  Reducing the production and use of synthetic textiles should be a critical focus of any policy and regulatory action when looking at the fashion industry's impact on microplastic pollution.

• Material Design

  Changes to the materials and production processes used by manufacturers are critical for reducing leakage of microfibres into the natural environment. But improving material design and manufacturing processes is still only in its initial phase and therefore cannot be considered a near-term solution to tackling the microplastic problem.

• Wastewater treatment

  Wastewater treatment has potential to be an effective long-term solution for reducing microplastics in the environment but currently it isn’t fit for purpose. For example, a study on a modern treatment plant in the UK found that, despite the efficient removal rates of microplastics, 65 million microplastics were still being released into the receiving water every day from this one plant.[viii]

Takeaway 3: Readily available microfibre filtration solutions

Matter

Matter’s core technology is based on its patented ‘self-cleaning’ filter solution which uses a unique regenerative process to efficiently separate micropollutants from wastewater, whilst also eliminating the need for replacement disposable filters.

Matter’s technology delivers high efficiency (capture rate), whilst minimising energy consumption and maintenance activity. Testing carried out in 2021 by the University of Glasgow, following the process set out by Napper et al. showed the filter had an average efficiency rate of over 90%.[ix]

Our first commercial product is Gulp, a retrofittable filter that is compatible with all European domestic washing machines. Because the technology does not require replacement cartridges, there is no ongoing cost to maintain effective filtration – this significantly reduces the average cost per wash to the consumer compared to alternative filters. Usability has been prioritised to support continued use, and therefore maximise the impact of filtration. Gulp has also been designed for easy, flexible installation and works with both liquid and powder detergent.

Alongside Gulp, Matter is working with leading international appliance manufacturers to integrate their microfibre filtration technology into domestic and commercial washing machines. Through close engineering collaboration, Matter is helping these manufacturers to create the washing machines of the future, enabling them to meet future legislative and sustainability standards, whilst satisfying the increasing demands of eco-conscious consumers.

Beyond laundry filtration, Matter is delivering even greater impact through partnering with leading apparel brands, textile manufacturers and wastewater treatment providers to develop scalable filtration technology that can effectively address high-volume micropollution sources at scale.

Conclusion

In summary, this collaborative whitepaper underscores the urgent need for government action to address the microplastic pollution problem. Washing machine filters are the only available and effective solution that will reduce the release of microfibres into the environment in the short-term while longer-term solutions are developed.

By mandating washing machine filters, the United Kingdom could deliver on its existing frameworks relating to plastics and water pollution, including the Plan For Water, as well as the recommendations proposed by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) in 2019.

Thank you to all the whitepaper co-authors and supporters for your contributions. We hope our collaborative efforts will drive the action required to protect our rivers and seas from microplastic pollution.

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References:

[i] Boucher, J. & Friot, D. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Primary microplastics in the oceans: a global evaluation of sources (2017)

[ii] De Falco, F. et al. Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics. Environmental Pollution, 236. (2018).

[iii] Galväo, A. et al. Microplastics in wastewater: microfiber emissions from common household laundry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27. (2020).

[iv] UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain. 2020.

[v] Napper I., Thomson R. Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines: Effects of fabric type and washing conditions. 2016.

[vi] Changing Markets Foundation. Synthetics Anonymous 2.0. 2022.

[vii] Zambrano M.C., et al. Impact of dyes and finishes on the aquatic biodegradability of cotton textile fibers and microfibers released on laundering clothes. Mar Pollut Bull. 2021.

[viii] Murphy, F. et al. Wastewater treatment works (WwTW) as a source of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Environmental Science Technology, 50, 11, 5800–5808. (2016).

[ix] Napper, I. et al. The efficiency of devices intended to reduce microfibre release during clothes washing. Science of the Total Environment, 738. (2020)