PlanetCare
The Slovenian startup tackling washing machine micro-plastic pollution.
By Caden Elsesser
Summary
Despite the fact that over 60% of textiles contain synthetic fibres, clothing is a frequently overlooked source of plastic pollution. On average, 700,000 synthetic microfibres are discharged in a single laundry load.PlanetCare, a Slovenian startup, is helping to tackle this issue with their synthetic fibre filters that can be attached to washing machines.With each washing machine cycle, the replaceable and recyclable PlanetCare filter catches up to 98% of micro-plastics before they can get into the water system.PlanetCare is helping to improve awareness of a less obvious source of plastic pollution. In doing so, it is also stimulating important thoughts and discussions about the impact that day-to-day activities have on people and the planet.
Decades of large-scale production and overconsumption have made plastic pollution one of the biggest environmental and human health challenges of our time. Since the ‘golden age’ of capitalism in the 1950s, humans have produced over 9 billion tons of plastic, of which over 7 billion tons have been discarded as waste.
While much attention is given to plastic bottles and packaging, textiles are an often-overlooked source. More than 60% of clothing today contains synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which shed tiny plastic particles during washing. With each laundry cycle, an estimated 700,000 synthetic microfibers are released into the water system.
The scale of the problem is staggering. In Europe, the average family of five does six washing cycles per week. Over the course of a year, that means more than 200 million microplastics from just one household are discharged into the water supply. These particles are too small to be effectively filtered out by wastewater treatment plants, meaning they often end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Once in the environment, microplastics harm marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and eventually make their way back into the food we eat and the water we drink. Scientists are still studying the long-term health impacts, but early findings suggest that ingesting microplastics could have severely negative effects on human health.
For more on the harms of microplastic pollution see our Mangrove Profile on ENSO Tyres
PlanetCare, a Slovenian startup, has developed a simple but effective solution to help reduce the amount of synthetic fibres entering our waterways. Their innovative washing machine filter captures up to 98% of microplastics before they leave the machine, preventing them from reaching wastewater systems and, ultimately, the ocean.
The PlanetCare system is designed to be easy to install and use:
A filter holder is attached to the washing machine.
Each time the machine runs, the filter traps synthetic fibers shed from clothes.
After approximately 30 washes, the used filter can be returned to PlanetCare for recycling and replaced with a fresh one.
PlanetCare ensures that collected microplastics don’t become waste themselves. Used filters are sent back to the company, where the trapped fibres are recycled or upcycled into new products.
PlanetCare is demonstrating that practical, scalable solutions can make a difference. While filtering microplastics at the source won’t solve the entire plastic pollution crisis, it is an important step in reducing the amount of synthetic waste entering the environment.
As well as using a filter like PlanetCare’s, people can further reduce their microfibre footprint by: only washing clothes only when necessary; using colder water and gentler wash cycles to minimise fibre shedding; and by choosing natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or linen over synthetic alternatives.
Finally, beyond its immediate physical benefits, PlanetCare’s technology is helping to raise awareness of less obvious sources of plastic pollution. This growing awareness can drive broader sustainability efforts, proving that when it comes to protecting the environment, a well-executed idea can be just as powerful as an innovative product or technology.