A breakthrough in addressing plastic pollution has emerged from Flinders University, where researchers have developed innovative washing machine filters capable of capturing nanoplastics and microplastics. These filters can significantly reduce the number of synthetic microfibres released into waterways during laundry cycles, a critical step in combating environmental contamination.
The research indicates that a single load of laundry can release thousands of plastic microfibres from materials such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester. Tests conducted on the newly designed filter demonstrate its effectiveness in trapping nanoparticles as small as 20 micrometres, which are invisible to the naked eye, alongside larger microplastic particles. According to Dr. Anastasiia Snigirova, a member of the Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium at Flinders University, “Our initial trials showed a dramatic reduction of fibres in wash water, demonstrating the strong potential of this technology.”
Addressing Environmental Challenges
Further analysis at the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) revealed that a typical wash produces a significant number of fibre particles ranging from 5 mm to 20 μm. This data highlights the urgent need for effective filtration solutions. In Europe, proactive regulations are already in place, with France requiring all washing machines sold from January 2025 to include microplastic filters as part of the 2020 Anti-Waste Law.
Australia is also taking steps to mitigate plastic pollution under its National Plastics Plan. The Goodside Project, an Adelaide-based environmental company, is at the forefront of this initiative, having designed washing machine filters aimed at capturing microplastics before they enter local rivers and oceans. Karen Jones Hauser, the founder and CEO of The Goodside Project, emphasizes the importance of tackling rising plastic pollution levels through innovative solutions.
In collaboration with another South Australian startup, Alkany, the company is exploring biotechnology that uses bacteria to decompose synthetic polymers, converting them into compost and biogas. David Thompson, Alkany’s chief scientist, states that this biological approach to plastic waste presents multiple reuse opportunities, as opposed to typical disposal methods like landfilling or incineration.
The Impact of Microplastics
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are a significant environmental concern. A study by Flinders University found that fibres comprised 72% of the microplastics detected in urban freshwater streams flowing into the Gulf St Vincent. This indicates that synthetic fibres are the predominant source of plastic pollution in this region.
The persistence of these particles in the environment raises alarming questions about their potential to enter the food chain and affect human health. Current research, supported by the Australian Research Council, is focusing on enhancing the efficiency of capturing nanoplastics using cellulose filters treated with a plasma polymer coating. Researchers stress the urgency of developing better mitigation technologies, given the increasing volume of plastic waste generated globally.
The article “Affinity capture of nanoplastics and their thermogravimetric quantification on plasma polymer coated filters” by Manpreet Kaur, Iliana Delcheva, and Melanie Macgregor has been published in the journal Analytica Chimica Acta. This research underscores the growing challenges posed by plastic waste, which has quadrupled in consumption over the past 30 years, with global production reaching 460 million tonnes by 2019.
Addressing the escalating plastic crisis requires collaboration across industries and regions. With initiatives like those from Flinders University and The Goodside Project, there is hope for more effective solutions to protect ecosystems and promote sustainability.
