New research aims to reduce microfibre pollution released from cruise and hotel laundry.

Microfibre pollution from large-scale laundry operations goes under the microscope

Microfibre pollution from large-scale laundry operations is emerging as a significant and largely unseen environmental issue. New research led by the University of Portsmouth is using Cleaner Seas Group’s industrial filtration technology – already deployed in commercial settings to better understand the scale of the problem and how it can be prevented before it reaches our waterways.

The study builds on previous data that revealed more than 700,000 microfibres can be released from clothing during a single domestic wash. Researchers are now turning their attention to industrial laundry systems, where the scale of washing and potential pollution is vast.

Early results from the first in-situ trials already show the true scale of the issue. A preliminary subsample taken from the filtration system has revealed hundreds of tiny microplastic threads packed into a space smaller than a pound coin. Using the University’s laboratory, the researchers will analyse the full suite of Cleaner Seas Group samples collected from the cruise and hotel sector and reveal the typical number and type of microfibres removed from greywater when attaching a microplastic filter.

“Even from our very first subsample, we were struck by the sheer number of fibres captured.”

Felicity Webster, Research Associate, Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth

Research Associate Felicity Webster, from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth is carrying out the initial investigations. She said: “Even from our very first subsample, we were struck by the sheer number of fibres captured. Over the coming months, we will build a clearer picture of the volume and composition of fibres produced by industrial laundry, and how effective filtration can be in stopping them.”

The project is testing washing machines in real-world settings over the next four months, with permission from industry partners. Researchers hope the work will deliver evidence that filtration systems can significantly reduce the number of fibres discharged into marine and land environments.

Cruise tourism remains popular, with around 1.7 million UK residents taking cruise holidays in 2022. On large ships carrying around 6,000 passengers and crew, daily greywater production can reach between 900,000 and 1.2 million litres – enough to fill up to 8,000 bathtubs. A substantial proportion comes from onboard laundries, which process several tonnes of laundry each day, including tens of thousands of sheets, towels, pillowcases and uniforms.

“Microfibres are now found everywhere from deep ocean sediments to the food we eat, yet most people don’t realise how much is released during everyday laundry. When you scale this up to cruise ships and hotels processing tonnes of textiles each day, the potential environmental impact becomes enormous.”

Professor Fay Couceiro, University of Portsmouth’s School of Civil Engineering and Surveying

 Professor Fay Couceiro, from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, said: “Microfibres are now found everywhere from deep ocean sediments to the food we eat, yet most people don’t realise how much is released during everyday laundry. When you scale this up to cruise ships and hotels processing tonnes of textiles each day, the potential environmental impact becomes enormous. Preventing pollution at source is one of the most effective actions we can take to protect marine ecosystems and reduce long-term environmental harm.”

Dave Miller, CEO at Cleaner Seas Group said “Regulation is shifting fast, and for cruise and tourism operators, water and wastewater are already critical operational issues. Microfibre pollution may be invisible, but at scale it cannot be ignored. This is not just about reporting on the problem, it’s about taking action, adopting solutions & measuring the impact. The principle of One Health recognises that the health of our oceans, ecosystems and people are fundamentally interconnected, so must be addressed in unison.

“Regulation is shifting fast, and for cruise and tourism operators, water and wastewater are already critical operational issues. Microfibre pollution may be invisible, but at scale it cannot be ignored.”

Dave Miller, CEO at Cleaner Seas Group

The findings will contribute to a growing body of evidence on microfibre pollution and the effectiveness of microfibre filtration when plugged directly into industrial washing machines. As regulatory focus on water and waste intensifies, the work underscores the importance of approaches that can be implemented in real-world settings to reduce environmental impact.

Results of this study are expected later this year.

We’re fortunate to be supported and part-funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, with Cornwall Council managing projects like ours through the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Good Growth Fund.