Enzyme-Powered Filter Keeps Microplastics Out of Oceans

Sep-29-19 A new smart filter built by university students captures the microfibers from washing machine wastewater and safely breaks down plastics.

More than a third of the plastics in the ocean are believed to be microplastics from clothing, which are delivered in washing machine wastewater. To help reduce that pollution, a team of Exeter students created a filter device that can be attached to a standard washing machine. The enzyme-based smart filter relies on the PETase enzyme to dissolve microplastics and break them down into components that can be safely released into the water, greatly reducing plastic pollution.

Image - Exeter University: iGEM team members Rachael Quintin-Baxendale (left) and Lydia Pike fitting the filter to a washing machine waste pipe.

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[CO.UK]
[EXETER.AC.UK]

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