Photo courtesy of Cleaner Seas Group
A brilliant start-up called Cleaner Seas Group has invented a way to keep the equivalent of 1.3 billion microplastic bags out of the ocean, and has won a major environmental award for its design, the BBC reports.
CSG, based in Bude, Cornwall, has focused on the microfibers found in laundry. These are small pieces of thread, especially plastic pieces made from polyester and other synthetic fibers, that break during washing.
Microfibers are one of the main types of microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic that are now found in water sources around the world. These are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and fertility problems. There are currently 170 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, most of which are microplastics.
Each load of laundry makes the problem worse, sending more microfibers down the drain. But with CSG’s award-winning invention, his Indi home microfiber filter, you won’t have any problems.
As the BBC explained, the filter is connected to a regular washing machine and processes the water that comes out of it. Captures microfibers and minimizes the number that escape with wastewater.
According to CSG, if every household in the UK had one, it could keep the equivalent of 1.3 billion plastic bags of plastic out of our oceans. If these spread around the world, the impact could be even greater.
Incredible innovation and far-reaching vision earned CSG the Green-Tech Ocean Impact award, which comes with a cash prize of AU$50,000 (approximately US$32,000), according to the BBC .
CSG CEO Dave Miller told the BBC that the company’s staff feel a personal connection to the ocean.
“We are surfers, kayakers and wild swimmers who are passionate about eliminating microplastics from our oceans,” he said. “Recognition of this weight in an international award is a further boost to our business development.”
In the meantime, if you can’t filter your laundry wastewater, choosing plastic-free clothing and other products whenever possible can help.
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