Every time we wash our clothes, tiny plastic fibers are released into the water.
These fibers come mainly from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon and acrylic. Although they are invisible to the naked eye, they add up quickly.
A single load of laundry can release thousands of microscopic plastic fibers, which then flow through wastewater systems and end up in rivers, lakes and oceans.
Researchers at Flinders University have tested a new washing machine filter made in South Australia and found it could play an important role in reducing this pollution.
Lab tests showed the filter can capture plastic fibers as small as 20 micrometres in size. To put that into perspective, these particles are much thinner than a human hair.
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. Over time, these break down even further into nanoplastics, which are even harder to remove and may pose greater risks to wildlife and human health.
The Flinders team confirmed that the filter was able to trap not only larger microplastics, but also very small particles that cannot be seen without special equipment.
Dr Anastasiia Snigirova, from Flinders University’s Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium, explains that polyester fibers are among the most common microplastics found in the environment.
Their main source is everyday washing in homes and commercial laundries. Early testing showed a dramatic drop in the number of fibers in wash water when the filter was used, highlighting its potential as a simple and effective solution.
Further testing found large numbers of fibers ranging from visible pieces down to 20 micrometres in a normal wash cycle. Many of these fibers, including both polyester and cellulose-based materials, were successfully captured by the filter before the water was discharged.
The research comes as governments around the world begin to take microplastic pollution more seriously.
In Europe, new rules are already making a difference. Since January 2025, all washing machines sold in France must include microplastic filters. Australia is also addressing the issue through its National Plastics Plan.
An Adelaide-based environmental company has responded by developing these filters to stop microplastics at the source. The company is also working with a local biotechnology startup that uses bacteria to break down captured plastics into compost and biogas, creating new reuse opportunities instead of sending waste to landfill or incineration.
Microplastic pollution is already a serious problem in South Australia. Previous research has shown that plastic fibers are the most common type of microplastic flowing from urban streams into Gulf St Vincent, an area important for marine life and fisheries.
Scientists warn that nanoplastics can persist in the environment, enter the food chain and even cross cell membranes.
This makes new technologies that reduce plastic pollution at its source more urgent than ever.
The simple act of filtering wash water could be a powerful step toward cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems.
