‘You have to be where the pollution is’: the inventor hoping to fix your washing machine to stop microplastics
Inventor Adam Root has created a microplastic filter that fits above washing machines, trapping up to 97% of microfibres before wastewater leaves the home. The device, sold by Matter Industries, is already in 30 European markets and is set to expand to the U.S., while the company also targets indus…
When the washing machine finishes a cycle, a small device above it emits a quiet whir. That sound is the signal that Adam Root’s microplastic filter is working, capturing the tiny fibres that would otherwise escape into rivers and oceans.
What the Filter Does
Root’s invention is a compact cartridge that slots into the space above a standard washing machine. A pipe draws the wastewater through the filter, which uses a fine mesh to trap microfibres, skin cells, hair and dust. After each wash, the device beeps, reminding the user to empty the canister. The built‑in scraper makes removal easy, and the collected waste is meant for disposal in a bin, not the drain.
From Garage Prototype to Global Reach
Three years ago, Root was working in a damp garage with a £250 budget. He wired an old washing machine to a homemade filter and, after a few mishaps, proved that it could capture fibres. The prototype earned him Innovate UK’s Young Innovator of the Year award and a small grant from the Prince’s Trust. In 2018 he founded Matter Industries in Bristol, and the company has since raised £15 million, hired 50 staff and partnered with Bosch and Siemens to embed the filter in commercial units.
Today, Matter’s filter is sold in more than 30 European markets and the UK. The company plans to launch in the United States and is piloting the technology in textile factories in Portugal, Egypt and Bangladesh. In one Portuguese plant, the filter captured 360 tonnes of fibre waste that would have otherwise entered a river.
How It Works and Why It Matters
The filter’s key innovation is its self‑cleaning feature. Each wash cycle produces about 1 g of fibre waste, so the mesh must be very fine. A fine mesh, however, tends to clog. Root’s design rinses the mesh after every cycle, clearing the surface and maintaining flow. This allows the filter to capture 97% of microfibres, a figure that places it among the most effective consumer devices on the market.
Microfibres are the most common microplastic found in marine life, air, drinking water and food. They can make up more than 90% of the microplastics ingested by marine organisms. By stopping them at the source, the filter helps reduce the amount that reaches the ocean each year. In the UK alone, domestic washing machines discharge between 6,000 and 87,000 tonnes of clothing fibre annually.
Beyond the Home: Industrial and Policy Implications
Root envisions the filter being installed in municipal wastewater treatment plants and in textile factories. He is also campaigning for legislation that would require all UK washing machines to include a microplastic filter. The idea is to tackle pollution where it originates, rather than relying solely on downstream solutions.
Not everyone agrees that filtering at the point of use is the best strategy. Professor Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth points out that more than half of microplastic emissions occur while people wear clothes, not when they wash them. He stresses the importance of redesigning textiles themselves and leveraging the upcoming global plastics treaty to drive systemic change.
Root acknowledges the long timeline required for textile redesign but argues that filters provide an immediate, tangible tool to reduce current pollution. “I think you have to look at what you can change now,” he says, while continuing to push for broader policy shifts.
What’s Next for Matter Industries
Matter plans to roll out its filter in the U.S. market in the coming months and is working on a version that can be retrofitted into existing washing machines. The company also aims to collaborate with local governments to install filters in municipal treatment facilities. If successful, the technology could become a standard component of household appliances, making it easier for consumers to protect the environment without changing their laundry habits.
As the world grapples with plastic pollution, innovations like Root’s filter represent a practical step toward cleaner waterways. While it is not a silver bullet, it is a significant tool that can be deployed quickly and at scale, complementing larger efforts to redesign textiles and enforce stricter regulations.
Why it matters
By capturing the majority of microfibres at the source, the filter reduces the amount of plastic that enters rivers and oceans, protecting marine life and human health while offering a scalable solution for households and industries alike.
Key points
- The filter captures 97% of microfibres from home washes
- It self‑cleans after each cycle, preventing clogging
- Matter Industries sells the device in 30+ European markets and plans a U.S. launch
- The filter is also being tested in textile factories and municipal treatment plants
- Root is campaigning for legislation to require filters in all UK washing machines
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need to empty the filter?
The device beeps after each wash cycle, indicating it’s time to empty the canister.
Can I install the filter on any washing machine?
The filter is designed to fit standard domestic washing machines, but compatibility should be checked for specific models.
What happens to the collected waste?
The waste should be disposed of in a bin, not poured down the drain.
Will the filter affect my washing machine’s performance?
The filter is engineered to maintain normal water flow and does not impede washing machine operation.
