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About 15% of the microplastics polluting our oceans can be traced back to synthetic fabrics. In washing machines, microfibers shed off of polyester and other clothing materials, then head to wastewater treatment facilities and, eventually, the sea. Samsung’s Less Microfiber Filter aims to break this cycle. Developed in partnership with Patagonia and conservation organization Ocean Wise, it’s compatible with any manufacturer’s washing machine—just hook it up to a drain line. Samsung says the device – currently available in the UK, Europe, Turkey, and South Korea and coming to the U.S. and Canada early next year – filters out 98% of microplastics released during the washing process.
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