Project Overview
Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic debris that result from the breakdown of plastic products. Wastewater treatment plants, as currently designed, do not treat for microplastics.
PolyGone, a startup created by Princeton University graduates, developed a microplastic filtration system, known as the “Artificial Root Filter,” to capture particles from treated wastewater before it is released into the ocean. The pilot project has been installed at ACUA’s wastewater treatment facility, and if successful, can be replicated at other treatment facilities.
How it Works
PolyGone’s “Artificial Root Filter” design includes plant root biofilters that collect microplastic debris from treated wastewater as it passes through. The design is installed in a retention basin of treated effluent before it is released to the Atlantic Ocean.
When the filter has been saturated with debris, it is removed, and the microplastics are collected. The microplastics are sent to a lab for upcycling. The filter is reused to collect more microplastics. To track the success of the project, water samples are collected and analyzed to measure microplastic debris.
Educating the Community
In addition to the filtration system, PolyGone has developed an educational pavilion to inform the community about microplastic pollution. ACUA welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its facility for tours to inform the community about its operations. The educational pavilion will allow visitors to witness the pilot in real time and see how it works.
Project Funding
The pilot project received funding from the NOAA Sea Grant Program Marine Debris Challenge Competition 2023 and the NJ CSIT Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program.
The pilot opened on September 12, 2024.