Photo Credit: iStock
Today’s good news story come from the TCD newsletter and is some further information on controlling microplastics. Noelle Granger sent this story to me. Thank you, Noelle
Fraternity brothers invent high-tech device that can solve dangerous issue with modern laundry machines: ‘We couldn’t be more proud’
“Finding solutions to reduce pathways of exposure to them is critical.”
Microplastics are a global problem, but three Case Western Reserve University engineering alumni have created a new device to tackle a major source of this pollution.
Max Pennington, along with Sigma Chi fraternity brothers David Dillman and Chip Miller, helped develop a washing machine filtration system called CLEANR that can remove over 90% of microplastic particles before they leave the washing machine and enter the environment, the New York Post reported.
The device was introduced in 2023 at the IFA Berlin appliance industry conference, where the company first showcased its VORTX filtration design that was inspired by the natural filtration system of fish gills.
That core technology employs a novel vortex filtration process that CLEANR says is 300% more efficient than other traditional filters.
The Shaw Institute, a nonprofit science research organization, put the company’s claims to the test and officially certified that it’s over 90% efficient at removing microplastic particles as small as 50 microns from washing machine wastewater.
“We couldn’t be more proud to have worked with CLEANR as part of our new program to validate innovative technology designed to greatly reduce plastic pollution,” said Dr. Charlie Rolsky, executive director of the Shaw Institute, in a press release.
“Microplastics are a major threat to human and environmental health. Therefore, finding solutions to reduce pathways of exposure to them is critical.”
Around 16% to 35% of microplastics in the environment originated from synthetic textiles, according to the European Environment Agency, with the majority of them being released during the first few washes.
Microplastics have even been discovered in remote ecosystems and are permeating our bodies, posing a massive threat to the environment and our health.
The good news in this story is there is another way to combat the release of micro[plastics into the environment. Today’s JohnKu talks about keeping the pressure on eliminating microplastics from our planet. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
The War by John W. Howell © 2025
Each little battle,
Will add up to a final win . . .
On the plastic war.
Fiction Favorites 
Siri & Selma “War to all the micro-plastics!”
Thanks John for the Info.
Happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Wishing the F4oC a happy and peaceful weekend. 😊
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Thank you very much.
The same for you.
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Thank goodness for young, creative minds. This is wonderful news, John. Thank you for sharing it with us. “Each little battle”… it all helps. 😊
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Each little battle is the only way. All of them will hopefully amount to a total win. Thank you, Gwen. Hoping your weekend is blessed. 😊
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I love learning about all these people that are taking on these issues. Thanks, John.
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I hope this plastic situation is finally solved one day. Thanks, Craig.
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These great inventions are happening, do you think they’ll ever make it to create a difference?
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Like my JohnKu says. I hope all the little battles come together to make a difference. Thanks, GP
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Very cool. Didn’t realize this was a major source of pollution. Hope it becomes more common.
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Me too.
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I knew about microplastics but, like Charles, I didn’t realize the particles entered the atmosphere from washers. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri. We learn something new every day.
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This is a really good start! Thanks for sharing this,John 🙂
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My pleasure.
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It’s nice to read such good news, John, that college graduate engineers came up with such a great filtration system.
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I like the story too, Tim. Thanks.
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Kudos to the engineers! (I think I may need to stop making snide remarks about “frat boys.”)
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Ha ha ha. I think so too.
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John, I’ve never heard of or known anything about microplastics…something else to worry about. Can they get in your food? If so, then we really do have a problem!🐳
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Jim, do not worry about plastic in your food. I speak from experience, it’s too late for that. The Professor (aka smart guy)
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Ha ha ha. Good advice, Tom
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They are already in your food and everywhere else. Avoid Vodka and you’ll be okay.
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Whew, l was sweating out having to give up biscuits, sausage, gravy, and grits…the breakfast of champions 🐳
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Never fear.
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Wow this is innovative, John! 💕
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Yes indeed.
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💓💓
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😊
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My thoughts on this were: Finally some good news from a fraternity. Mostly at UNC, it’s not good news. But smart young men!
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Yes, good news is not the usual fraternity fare.
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College grads…big wow on their engineering marvel. Another excellent JohnKu, too.
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Their parents must be very proud.
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Yes!
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For all the horrors humankind has sprung on our Earth, fortunately we have smart humans who can change it around and make a difference.
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Let’s hope the smart humans have arrived in time. Thanks, Pamela.
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With so much to be done, this is a wonderful start!
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I agree, Annette. Thanks.
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“12 million tons… ” So upsetting and pervasive! Thank you for highlighting yet another way that plastics flow to our beautiful oceans and advancements looking to change that. Hope you’re Friday is going well.
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Friday is terrific. Thank you, Michele. Wishing you a peaceful weekend. 😊
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Excellent and thank you very much. Appreciate you! 😊
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I appreciate you, Michele. 😊
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I tell you what, Boss. The number of stories I’ve seen about microplastics leaves me shaking my head. We fell so far behind in coming to grips with the reality of the dangers posed, so it’s a good thing we have so many talented people out there looking to catch up.
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I so agree on being thankful for those working on the problem.
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Absolutely
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😊
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That is a very helpful invention and it makes me proud that they are Case Western Reserve University engineering alumni just like me.
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All genus. Including you. Thank you, Thomas.
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Ha ha thank you John
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😊
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Love the idea of this filter but as you noted, bottom line is to remove them before they get to that stage. Thanks for always sharing a positive story on Friday, John.
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Yeah, I would like some of the other remedies to kick in and eliminate the particles. Thanks, Monika.
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This is good news! I hope it gets widespread support.
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I do too, Diana. With the other methods I described in other posts, maybe there is a chance of cleaning this plastic mess up.
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Thanks for this great news, John. I’m fascinated how it was inspired by the natural filtration system of fish gills!
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I’m with you, Rebecca. You have to wonder how they decided to look there for an answer.
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While I was getting a load of clothes ready to wash yesterday, I thought of another possible answer. Perhaps we need to buy more clothes made of natural fibers.
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And the cotton balls have plastic micron bits from the rain.
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Oh my, it’s scary stuff!
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Yes indeed. 😳
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Thanks for sharing this wonderful invention. I hope it spreads around. 😊
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I do too. I hope all of them featured here spread around. Thanks, Debby
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💜
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Another great initiative! Let’s hope it will be put into practice! Thank you, dear John!🍤🍤🍤🍻
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Yes, we have to hope so, Maria.
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