CLEVELAND — A company that’s run out of a makerspace on the campus of Case Western Reserve University is hoping to change the way washing machines are manufactured in order to fight microplastic pollution.


What You Need To Know

  • CLEANR was officially launched at the Great Lakes Science Center on Tuesday

  • CLEANR is a company founded by three Case Western Reserve University graduates that is aiming to help eliminate microplastics in wash cycles

  • CEO Max Pennington says he thinks Cleveland can be the "ground zero" in the fight against microplastic pollution 

CLEANR is a washing machine filter that uses vortex technology inspired by the inside of a fish’s mouth to eliminate up to 90% of microplastics from the wash cycle. Washing machines are one of the top sources of microplastic pollution in the environment. 

The company rolled out its product at the Great Lakes Science Center on Tuesday. CEO Max Pennington was joined by Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Roynanyne, Cleveland Water Alliance President Bryan Stubbs and Marine scientist Dr. Marcus Eriksen to introduce the product to market.

Pennington said he is proud the company started in Cleveland and views protecting the environment around Lake Erie as a major goal of CLEANR. 

“We want to protect the Great Lakes and really the number one source of microplastics in the world in Lake Erie is the washing machine and our clothing," Pennington said. "So using the opportunity to install filters around Cleveland, we think can clean up Lake Erie and stop microplastics at the source. We really do believe that Cleveland could be the ground zero in the fight against microplastic pollution.” 

In addition to being installed inside of Case Western reserve dormitories, CLEANR is now installed at two other universities including the University of Akron. The product will officially hit the market this week and be available for residential purchase. 

You can find out more information on the company website