News and Press > Shining a Light on Microplastics and Real Solutions

Shining a Light on Microplastics and Real Solutions

Published on Tuesday February 24, 2026

Cleaner Seas Group® appeared on BBC One’s The One Show, helping bring one of the world’s quietest environmental threats right into people’s living rooms: microplastics and real solutions

For many viewers, it may have been the first time they heard that every time we press “start” on a washing machine, tiny fibres shed from our clothes and make their way into waterways and oceans. They’re microscopic, but they add up fast. In fact, a single wash can release up to 700,000 microfibres.

That hidden problem now has a spotlight. And we’re proud to be part of the solution.

Being featured on a popular BBC programme shows something important:

  • People are paying attention.
  • Governments are paying attention.
  • And most importantly, solutions are being recognised.

This isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about shifting behaviour and proving that innovation exists today, not someday. But this is just the start of microplastics and real solutions.

Microplastics and Real Solutions

The One Show followed our team, spoke to scientists, and visited families trialling our Indi™ filter, designed to fit retrospectively onto any washing machine and prevent microfibres from reaching the sea.

They showed how:

  • Domestic washing can release huge amounts of microfibres.
  • Filters can be fitted at home on any washing machine.
  • Each filter has a cartridge inside that gets replaced every 6 months 
  • Our new Cornwall facility collects all used cartridges .
  • The fibers captured, instead of heading to landfill, are recycled.

When you see a family realizing how much pollution they prevented in just a few weeks, the problem suddenly becomes real.

And then comes the powerful bit:

Those captured fibres? We recycle them into new materials, ranging from materials that go into EV batteries to advanced materials to be used in space technology.

Pollution turned into a product with real value..

Not Just Capture, Circularity

A key message is that capture alone isn’t enough. If filters simply catch fibres only for them to end up in landfill, the problem hasn’t been solved, only moved and hidden. That’s why our recycling centre exists.

Filter, Return, Recycle, Reuse.

A truly circular solution.

No waste. No shortcuts.

A Step Forward Together

It’s easy to think of microplastic action as a drop in the ocean, but every movement starts small.

  • A filter fitted.
  • A cartridge returned.
  • A fibre recycled.

These actions add up.

And seeing our mission shared with millions across the UK reminded us just how much momentum is building, not just for us, but for everyone working to protect our seas.

Thank you to The One Show team, thank you for recognizing the importance of this conversation and giving it space on such a big platform.

Thank you to the Howstead Family in helping to illustrate how one family can help make a difference.

And thank you to everyone who messaged, shared the clip, or simply sat at home and thought, “I didnt know this, I want to do something”.

This only works when people join in. And we’re seeing more of you every week. Change happens when people lean in. And we felt that energy this week.

If you’re curious about our filtration and recycling solutions or simply want to learn more about microplastic prevention, you can explore what’s possible here.

Together, we’re turning the tide, one wash at a time.

You may also like

Latest News & Updates

The End of Plastic Landfill: Why 2026 Will Mark a Regulatory Tipping Point
Microplastics

The End of Plastic Landfill: Why 2026 Will Mark a Regulatory Tipping Point

For years now, plastics have been filling up our landfills. 2026 marks the start of...

4 min read
World-first Microfibre Recycling Centre Launch
Microplastics

The Next Chapter for Cleaner Seas Group: Opening the World-First Microfibre Recycling Centre.

After years of planning, problem-solving and a fair bit of Cornish grit, we’ve finally done...

3 min read
Cleaner Seas, EV Battery
Microplastics

Recycling Microfibres to Power the Clean Battery Future.

At Cleaner Seas Group, we’ve always believed that tackling ocean pollution and advancing clean technology...

4 min read
Microplastics Underwater In Ocean
Microplastics

What Are Microplastics and Why Are They a Threat to Our Oceans?

Microplastics have become one of the most significant environmental challenges of our time. These tiny...

4 min read
Microfibre Recycling Blue
Microplastics

What Are Microfibres and How Do They Impact the Environment?

Microfibres are one of the most common yet overlooked contributors to environmental pollution. These tiny...

3 min read
Microplastics On The Beach (1)
LegislationMicroplastics

The WI and APPG Leading the Charge

Microplastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The Women’s...

4 min read
Magnify Microplastics Beach
Microplastics

The Hidden Problem: Industrial Microfibres and Microplastics

The problem of microfibres and microplastics in our waterways has long been linked to domestic...

5 min read
Microplastics In Your Drink
Microplastics

Tackling Microfibre Pollution: Solutions for Cleaner Waterways

Microfibre pollution is a growing environmental issue, with billions of microscopic plastic fibres entering our...

4 min read
Microplastics On A Spoon
Microplastics

Natural Fibres are not necessarily the answer to microplastic Polution

Microplastics, particularly microfibres shed from textiles during washing, have emerged as a significant environmental concern....

2 min read
Microplastics On A Finger
Microplastics

Microplastics in the laundry

Microplastics are an invisible menace infiltrating our oceans, ecosystems, and even our food chains. Among...

4 min read
Microplastics In The Ocean
Microplastics

The Silent Threat: Microplastics and Their Devastating Impact on Marine Life

Microplastics have become an insidious pollutant in our oceans, threatening marine life and the health...

4 min read
Microplastics In Petridish
Microplastics

How to Wash Your Clothes and Be Kind to the Planet: Top 5 Tips

Washing your clothes might seem like a simple everyday task, but did you know it...

4 min read
Microplastics In A Jar
MicroplasticsLegislation

Are Waste water Treatment Plants Not Filtering Microfibres?–NO!

Microfibres, those minuscule fibres shed from synthetic textiles during washing, are an invisible but pervasive...

5 min read
Green Plastic On Stoney Beach
News and Press

Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans, Our Beaches and Waterways

Plastic pollution is in our water systems, the air we breath, in our soil, in...

3 min read
Brian Yurasits
Industry News

Marine-i and Plymouth University Support Research and Development of Indikon-1

Cleaner Seas Group was set up in Cornwall in Autumn 2018 with a mission to...

2 min read
Two Filters
Industry News

Is Your Wash Polluting the Ocean?

What are microfibres?  Microfibres are a type of microplastic; tiny plastic fibres 5mm or less (Less than the...

2 min read
Coldplay Logo
News and Press

Coldplay Support Cleaner Seas Group

The Cleaner Seas Team always dream big in our quest to protect our Ocean and...

1 min read
Washing Machine
News and Press

Cleaner Seas Microfibre Filter for Washing Machines – Indikon-1

You probably know by now, that your washing machine releases up to 700,000 Microplastic fibres...

1 min read
Sea Grass
News and Press

Joining Forces to Save Our Seas

We work to give back to the Sea every day, 100%, but none of us...

1 min read
Microsplastics Microscopic
Industry News

Case Study by Plymouth University – Cleaner Seas Group

Innovative technology to remove microplastics from the environment Cleaner Seas Group was set up in...

6 min read
Microplastics Microfibre Recycling
Microplastics

Cleaner Seas Group Launches Groundbreaking Microplastic Recycling Centre with UK Shared Prosperity Fund Support

The Cleaner Seas Group is developing a world-first Microfibre Recycling Centre in Bude, Cornwall. This...

1 min read
Frame 190
News and Press

Tui Blog Post 2

Since 2017 Cleaner Seas have worked at grassroots level in raising awareness about microplastics in...

1 min read
Image
News and Press

Tui Blog Post 1

Monty Halls is a broadcaster, speaker, naturalist, former Royal Marine, marine biologist, travel writer and...

1 min read
Image
Industry News

Microplastics Bill Introduced in the House of Commons

The 30th November 2021 saw another big step forward in the fight against microplastic pollution....

1 min read
Image
Microplastics

Award Recognition for Cleaner Seas Tech

Since 2017 Cleaner Seas have worked at grassroots level in raising awareness about microplastics in...

2 min read
Image
News and Press

Generation Sea Change: An Interview with Explorer Monty Halls.

Monty Halls is a broadcaster, speaker, naturalist, former Royal Marine, marine biologist, travel writer and...

5 min read

Want to Join our Crew of Sea Savers?

Get monthly ocean news, offers, events and updates on our mission.

By clicking subscribe, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

Signup To Cleanerseas Mailing List