How Samsung Developed a Washing Machine that Reduces Microplastics
Microplastics that flow into the ocean
Plastic waste is piling up in every corner of the globe.
In particular, microplastics — from car tire particles, synthetic resins used for chemical product manufacturing,
cosmetic products or toothpastes — are too small in size to be filtered out in wastewater treatment facilities.Unfiltered microplastics are flowing into the ocean and ultimately impact the environment.
The clothes you are wearing, what are they made of?
Take a closer look at their tags.
You might see that synthetic fiber, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic are included.
As synthetic fiber is more affordable and durable, and are lighter than natural fiber,
60% of the clothes we wear are made of plastic- based synthetic materials.
Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materials
Sure, synthetic has its many advantages.
But it releases microfiber into the air and water,
when we wear them, and we we wash and dry them.
These microfibers are too small to be properly filtered by
conventional washing machines and the filtering systems at wastewater treatment facilities.
The microfibers generated are one of the kinds of
microplastics found in the ocean.
Microplastics refer to small plastic particles of 5 mm in diameter or smaller, around the size of a grain of rice.
From general plastic waste to coating materials,
car tires and cosmetic products, sources of microplastics vary widely.
We need to think and act together, because microplastics can absorb surrounding pollutants and flow into rivers and the ocean and end up inside plankton, fish, seabirds and our bodies.
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Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materials
Sure, synthetic has its many advantages.
But it releases microfiber into
the air and water, when we wear them,
and we we wash and dry them.
Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materialsThese microfibers are too small to be properly filtered byconventional washing machines and the filtering systems at wastewater treatment facilities.
Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materials
The microfibers generated are one of the kinds of microplastics found in the ocean.
Microplastics refer to small plastic particles of 5 mm in diameter or smaller, around the size of a grain of rice. From general plastic waste
to coating materials, car tires and cosmetic products, sources of microplastics vary widely.
Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materials
We need to think and act together, because microplastics can absorb surrounding pollutants and flow into rivers and the ocean and end up inside plankton, fish, seabirds and our bodies.
Reducing microplastics is saving our future
Because our ecosystems are circular, they are directly connected with our daily lives. Therefore, we need to focus on more holistically protecting our environment.Efforts by businesses are needed to reduce microplastics and help save our future.
That’s why Samsung Electronics introduced Less Microfiber Cycle.
Samsung washer with Less Microfiber Cycle unveiled at IFA 2022
Samsung Electronics developed a new 'Less Microfiber Cycle' for washers in collaboration with global outdoor brand Patagonia and Ocean Wise, a Canadian non-profit marine protection research institution.
This new wash cycle was first unveiled at IFA, an international consumer electronics and home appliances trade show held in Berlin, Germany in September 2022. Using Samsung’s proprietary bubble wash technology, Ecobubble™, this laundry cycle quickly dissolves detergent into the fabrics, which allows for effective removal of dirt and minimization of friction among clothes, the major cause of microplastic generation.
With the Less Microfiber Cycle technology, it is possible to reduce the generation of microplastics by 54%* compared to conventional laundry cycle.
This new cycle is already available in Europe and will be expanded to US and Korea this year.
* Tested with a 2 kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing the new microplastic reduction cycle of Samsung Electronics’ WWW9400B model and the synthetics cycle of the WW4000T. The results may vary depending on the actual environment, region and model.
Less Microfiber Filter first
presented at CES 2023
Since then, Samsung Electronics has continued to collaborate with Patagonia. In January 2023, we presented 'Less Microfiber Filter', an external filter for washers to reduce microplastic release even further. First unveiled at CES 2023, the world's largest electronics exhibition in Las Vegas, the filter will be introduced to the European market this year.
It is meaningful that Less Microfiber Filter can be applied not only to Samsung washers but also to washing machines from other companies. You may see how sincere Samsung and Patagonia are in reducing microplastics.
Samsung will continue open collaboration until our 'Everyday Sustainability' vision is realized in all our customer's daily lives.
Samsung washer with Less Microfiber Cycle Unveiled at IFA 2022
Samsung washer with Less Microfiber Cycle Unveiled at IFA 2022
Samsung Electronics developed a new 'Less Microfiber Cycle' for washers in collaboration with global outdoor brand Patagonia and Ocean Wise, a Canadian non-profit marine protection research institution.
This new wash cycle was first unveiled at IFA, an international consumer electronics and home appliances trade show held in Berlin, Germany in September 2022. Using Samsung’s proprietary bubble wash technology, Ecobubble™, this laundry cycle quickly dissolves detergent into the fabrics, which allows for
effective removal of dirt and minimization of friction among clothes, the major cause of microplastic generation.
With the Less Microfiber Cycle technology, it is possible to reduce the generation of microplastics by 54%* compared to conventional laundry cycle.
This new cycle is already available in Europe and will be expanded to US and Korea this year.
* Tested with a 2 kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing the new microplastic reduction cycle of Samsung Electronics’ WWW9400B model and the synthetics cycle of the WW4000T. The results may vary depending on the actual environment, region and model.
Samsung washer with Less Microfiber Cycle Unveiled at IFA 2022
Since then, Samsung Electronics has continued to collaborate with Patagonia. In January 2023, we presented 'Less Microfiber Filter', an external filter for washers to reduce microplastic release even further. First unveiled at CES 2023, the world's largest electronics exhibition in Las Vegas, the filter will be introduced to the European market this year.
It is meaningful that Less Microfiber Filter can be applied not only to Samsung washers but also to washing machines from other companies. You may see how sincere Samsung and Patagonia are in reducing microplastics.
Samsung will continue open collaboration until our 'Everyday Sustainability' vision is realized in all our customer's daily lives.
Samsung Electronics’ Less Microfiber Cycle was developed through cross- industry collaboration.