Cleaning up

The three young alumni behind CLEANR celebrated a milestone on the shores of Lake Erie June 3. Max Pennington ’22, David Dillman ’23, and Chip Miller ’23 officially launched their product, which is designed to filter microsplastics from washing machine wastewater and help keep lakes and rivers cleaner.

University leaders, scientists, investors, and Great Lakes enthusiasts came to the Great Lakes Science Center to celebrate their success, which entailed many overnighters at Sears think[box] and testing in dorm laundries.

Washing machine wastewater is one of the top sources of microplastics in waterways, and the trio began to seek a solution while students at the Case School of Engineering. An independent testing lab has confirmed the effectiveness of its patent-pending filter, which was modeled on fish gills.

The company reported raising $7 million to bring a product to market. The home version, which sits atop the washing machine and looks like a fancy coffee maker, sells for $249 online. Its launch captured the attention of both the trade and mainstream press.

Inc. magazine saw good timing, noting that several nations and California are considering mandating washing machine filters.

Filtration+Separation told its readers the CLEANR filter works, noting that the Shaw Institute “has tested CLEANR’s external microplastic filter for washing machines and certified it to be over 90% efficient at capturing microplastics as small as 50 microns.”

Calling the founders “princes of Tide,” The New York Post reported they had a solution to a messy problem that readers might not know enough about.

Learn more at www.cleanr.life/