> A single washing machine in a household of four can release as much as 500 grams of microplastics each year, most of it generated as fabrics wear down during washing. As a result, washing machines rank among the most significant contributors of these particles.

I'm surprised it's this little (half a kilo in an entire year). I'd be curious to know where it ranks, since the language is a little sensational and not especially accurate. For example, it would be true if on a global scale, it were the 6th leading contributor, but numbers 1-5 were each 10x as much.

Just switch to wool and cotton. Plastic clothes make you sweat. Merino wool doesn’t even need washing all that often.

> Early tests show that the patent-pending filter can remove more than 99 percent of plastic fibers from washing machine wastewater.

Could someone in academia educate me on the need to patent inventions like this ? is it just part of the university funding machine ? or would the researchers be using this as a defensive measure ?

It's all quite disturbing once you look beyond the headlines. The more awareness, the better.

https://www.firstsentier-mufg-sustainability.com/insight/sou...