Xeros Technology has joined forces with A Plastic Planet, Matter, PlanetCare, and the 5 Gyres Institute to launch a major whitepaper challenging the government to do more to tackle microplastic pollution by mandating for filters in all new washing machines. The whitepaper will be presented to politicians at an event hosted by Matter in the House of Lords on March the 5th 2024. It is estimated that UK laundry alone generates an average of 17,234 tonnes of microfibres each year, weighing the equivalent of around 1,500 double-decker buses. This figure will only rise alongside the escalating demand for synthetic fibres which are ubiquitous in fast fashion. Based on current trends, the amount of synthetic microfibres entering the ocean between 2015 – 2025 could accumulate to an excess of 22 million tonnes.

Yet a recent poll conducted by Xeros Technology revealed that some 60 percent of British people are unaware of the fact that microplastics shed from clothes during washing.

It is reported that microplastic pollution has increased 10-fold since 2005, with over 171 trillion microplastic particles now floating in our oceans. Microplastics are pervasive in the environment, but also in the human body. They have been found in stools, blood, lung tissue, breast milk, the placenta, and the brain. Alarmingly, recent studies suggest high exposure to microplastics may lead to dementia symptoms.

The UK is home to some of the world’s leading scientists and campaigners in the microplastics space, including A Plastic Planet, who calls for a pro-business solutions-focused approach to solving the microplastics problem. Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder of A Plastic Planet, said: “The British public could not be clearer. People are extremely worried about what plastic is doing to our health and the world around us. Fortunately, we have at our fingertips many of the solutions we need to tackle this crisis decisively. “Business can be the greatest force for change and innovation the world has ever known. But business has to take its lead from Governments delivering the kind of legislation the British public are calling for. This General Election year it’s clear there is not a moment to lose.”

The UK also houses two of the pioneering technology companies with washing machine microfibre filter solutions, Xeros Technology and Matter, who have come together in efforts to bring this to the attention of MPs. If the government were to mandate washing machine filters, the UK would not only be leading the way globally in tackling microplastic pollution, but also supporting British technology innovations.

Neil Austin, CEO of Xeros Technology, said:

“By contrast with longer-term production and disposal changes, microfibre capture solutions are effective and commercially available now. Filtration is therefore the best applicable, near-term solution to deal with this ever-growing problem. The whitepaper published today calls for timely, ambitious and robust legislation to accelerate innovation and combat the pervasive microplastic problem.”

“The opinion polls published today show clearly that British people are seriously concerned about what plastic pollution is doing to their health and environment,” said Adam Root, CEO of Matter. “The data is telling us too that a strong majority of people believe microfibre filters should be made mandatory on all new washing machines sold in the UK. At the forthcoming General Election, our political leaders must show decisive leadership on one of the most profound environmental and public health issues in a generation.”

XF3 enables our patented and market leading microfibre filtration system, XFilter to be housed as a stand-alone solution, compatible with any washing machine model. The XF3 achieves a 99% microplastic capture rate and is designed for upmost consumer ease, requiring no replacement cartridges and has one of the lowest emptying frequencies of all available filters. To make the product even more consumer-friendly, XF3 can be installed at any height enabling its sleek modular design to sit on a countertop or under a sink. It is programmed to automatically start when the washing machine drains and has an alert when it needs emptying, enabling users to simply plug it in and leave it to work with complete peace of mind.

XF3 is available immediately for licensing and branding partners and will be launching to consumers in 2024. If you are interested in hearing more about our XF3 solution as a consumer or brand please fill in the form below.