Microfibres are the most common form of microplastic pollution, and a new device aims to tackle them at home. Adam Root, founder of Matter Industries, has developed a filter that traps microfibres from washing machines, capturing up to 97% before they enter waterways. The compact unit fits above the washing machine, drawing in wastewater and filtering out fibres. After each cycle, the filter self-cleans to prevent blockage, a feature Root says sets it apart from competitors.
How the Filter Works
The filter collects about 1 gram of fibre waste per wash, a mixture of microfibres, skin cells, hair, and dust. Users empty the canister when it beeps and dispose of the contents in the bin. Root's invention, based in Bristol, UK, is now available in over 30 European markets and the UK, with plans to expand to the US. In 2025, Matter Industries was a runner-up in the Earthshot Prize's oceans category.
From Garage to Global Solution
Root, a former mechanical engineer and Dyson product innovator, was inspired by scuba diving to tackle ocean pollution. With a £250 investment and a prototype built on a wet garage floor, he demonstrated microfibre capture. A grant from the Prince's Trust helped launch the company in 2018, which has since raised $20 million, employs 50 people, and partners with Bosch and Siemens.
Why Microfibres Matter
An estimated 69% of clothing contains plastic textiles like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which shed billions of fibres. In the UK, washing machines discharge 6,000 to 87,000 tonnes of clothing fibre annually into rivers and oceans. Microfibres are the most common microplastics in the environment, found in marine animals, air, drinking water, and food. Anja Brandon of Ocean Conservancy notes that plastics are the chief worry, but other textiles also carry chemicals and colourants.
Industrial Scale and Legislation
Matter is piloting its technology in textile factories in Portugal, Egypt, and Bangladesh, where industrial effluent is a major polluter. Root also campaigns for legislation to require microfibre filters in all UK washing machines. However, Professor Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth, who first highlighted microplastic threats in 2004, cautions that most microplastic emissions occur while wearing clothes, not just during washing. He advocates for upstream solutions like better textile design and a global plastics treaty.
Balancing Solutions
Root agrees textile redesign is critical but notes the slow pace of change due to ties with the oil industry. He sees filters as an immediate tool to alleviate damage. "I kind of imagine myself being knee-deep in shit. You've got your shovel, and you just have to start at your feet and work your way out," he says. The debate underscores the need for both downstream filters and upstream systemic changes to combat microplastic pollution.
