Since 2017 PlanetCare has been on a mission: to fight microplastic pollution. We started with a grand idea that all washing machines should have a microfiber filter built into them. An idea so simple and effective that it just couldn’t fail. 

But the world of washing machine Goliaths turns slowly. Six years ago, our innovative integrated microfiber filter was rejected by every washing machine manufacturer. We were too early.

So we started to educate and empower individuals, organisations and companies that care about the environment. It worked. Today over 7.000 individuals already filter microfibers with our first generation add-on filter and dozens of companies use our commercial filtering solution.

Our work and efforts to fight microplastic pollution did not go unnoticed. With dedicated publications in CNN, Bloomberg, Forbes, The Daily Mail, Treehugger and several others, our solution was also presented on CBS’s  Emmy award winning The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation.

 

To empower people all around the world and give them a chance to make a difference and stop microplastic pollution from washing machines. And our vision is one that is shared among all the people of our beautiful planet: to stop microplastic pollution completely.

Now we’re a small team and we can not save the world alone. But we’re doing our part. And with PlanetCare 2.0, the second generation microfiber filter, the fight against microplastic pollution just became much easier and more effective.

We welcome you to join our Ocean Hero community and embrace the vision we have set.

 

Washing machines are one of those appliances that we usually try to squeeze in the tightest space possible. Don’t worry, no matter how tight your space is, there’s always a way to install the PlanetCare filter. Below are a few installation options, but you can find your own way of installation. Some images below show the first generation filter, but you get the idea, right? It’s even easier with PlanetCare 2.0!

 

Filtering washing machine waste water makes sense. We can all agree to that. Science agrees as well. But what’s the next step?

Let’s think about it … after filtering you end up with a gooey mush left in the filter cartridge. And all that dirt is just screaming »WASH ME!«. So, clean the filter under running water? Let it dry and dump it in the bin?

That would be kind of silly, right? Catching microfibers just to dump them back into nature doesn’t make sense. Because everything we throw into the environment eventually circles back to us, our food and drinking water.

The core idea of PlanetCare is not just to filter microfibers. But to make sure that they never land in the environment again. 

That is why we collect the dirty cartridges and clean them in a controlled environment. And what happens next?

We take the fibers back when your used cartridges are returned for refurbishing. The cartridge is reused and sent back to users to continue capturing fibers, whereas the filter insert with the captured fibers is collected and prepared for recycling.

And here’s what dr. Andrej Kržan, our chief science officer and long-time researcher at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana has to say about our recycling plan:

»We already have approved uses for the fibers (fiber reinforcement of washing machine concrete weights, chemical recycling into monomers) but since the quantities we receive are still low, we are still exploring new options. Currently we are conducting tests with a producer of designer furniture that is looking to develop a new Ocean microplastics line of their products.«

So, when your used cartridges are picked up by the courier, rest assured that fibers will be handled in a closed environment and will never again be free to roam the planet!

 

 

We know that our filters are efficient. But that’s not enough. We have had them tested for fiber retention ability by independent third parties as well as by internal procedures. 
An important part of this strategy was to employ independent, scientific, state-of-the-art testing. Results from these tests (and internal tests including constant use in our own homes) have helped us develop a market leading product with a 98%* efficiency guarantee.

* 98% fiber retention: Test performed on an Electrolux Perfectcare 600 9 kg washing machine using the Synthetics program with a 2-2.5 kg load of polyester blankets, comparing the amount of microfiber released with and without the PlanetCare 2.0 filter installed. Results are based on filtering the drain water through a 50 μm filter. Results will vary depending on wash load and conditions used.

 

INDEPENDENT TESTS:

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Rise Research Institutes of Sweden

National Research Council, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, Pozzuoli, Italy

National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia

Test by a major machine producer (unnamed)

 

An external microfiber filter is only the first step. In our long-term vision, the whole world steps together in the fight against microplastic pollution. However, the road to passing new legislation is long and winding. In the end, every little thing helps. 

The  fact is that our laundry pollutes. When we wash our synthetic clothes,  they release plastic microfibers. To be exact, every week an average  household dumps about one plastic bag worth of microfibers into the  waste water. With PlanetCare washing machine filter everyone can now  capture 98% of these microfibers before they’re washed down the drain.

 

Why does this have to be solved by individuals? The reason is very simple. Before policy makers can recommend new rules, they need to find solutions that work in real life. To convince them to make microfiber filters mandatory, we need as many people as  possible providing the proof that this can be done.

 

When France was passing their groundbreaking anti-waste law, PlanetCare was the case study to show it can be done. Because PlanetCare is an efficient solution that has already been adopted by more than 7.000 users across the globe. As a result, all new washing machines in France will be equipped with a microfiber filter from 2025 on. We’re actively involved in conversations with other governments too and with your help we’re making the change happen!

 

 

 

PlanetCare’s founder, CEO and heart & soul of the company. Mojca’s passion for a cleaner environment doesn’t let her stop for a minute and the planet without her would be (even more) full with microfibers. A corporate lawyer in her past life, she changed her career after seeing a photo exhibition on marine litter with her kids. Being a mother of three, she sees our responsibility to what kind of planet we leave for the future generations very seriously. And that is pretty much how the PlanetCare filters were born.

 

A valuable combination of his engineering degree in electronics and a PhD in robotics was just the right springboard. But if he weren’t interested in saving the planet, it would mean nothing. When he is not dealing with science, he enjoys the full connection with nature – snowboarding, mountain biking or mountaineering. Values people who have something meaningful to say and appreciates exactness. Imagine how wonderfully this translates in his work for our filters. Exactly!

 

Andrej is our professor/scientist. His whole working career is devoted to sustainability issues of plastics. He is impatient and joined the team to see scientific evidence be used and lead to meaningful positive impact. We appreciate his rather dry sense of humour. And, obviously, he is a cat person.

 

Lenche finished her masters in mechanical engineering and is our R&D engineer, responsible for mechanical design of the products and solving problems connected with the construction of the filters. Pretty complex, huh? Her other full-time role is that of a mother of two. Two small kids. So talking with Lenche about leisure time is for her more of an unknown subject, but she looks forward to do more travelling again.

 

Miha is a mechanical engineer, interested in individual human longevity. That, of course, includes a microfibre-free life. He values meritocracy and follows the philosophy of objectivism. And then there is tennis – not only does he love to play, in his spare time he optimizes rackets and prepares strategy for professional players.

 

Nina runs the tests in our lab. One laundry after the other, one filter after another, this cartridge, that cartridge – she detects the smallest of differences, compare the results and analyze them. So that as a result we have the best and most efficient filters there are. Proven! She is an environmental engineer who chose not to live in the urban environment, with a powerful love for mountains and books.

 

Katka joined our team for a summer internship and then she hasn’t left. She also works in our lab. She studies chemical engineering and is determined to apply her knowledge to save the planet. When not in our lab she can be found bicycling to her gymnastics trainings or somewhere out of the city. Friends, family and nature. Not necessarily in that order.

 

David is responsible for mechanical design. And also, if there is anything to assemble or to repair – he’s the guy! Would you like to guess what he does in his spare time? Well, of course – he builds stuff in a shed ! Or searches the internet for anything science. So, naturally, he’d enroll in two colleges after high school – mechanical engineering and physics, but decided to dedicate most of his time to our microfibre free future!

 

Ahmed is the kindest soul on earth and definitely one of the most knowledgeable people we’ve ever met. Sincere and tolerant and soft spoken – he takes his job with utmost responsibility. A B.Sc. in Communication, a M.Sc. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology. Oh. And he writes books. Currently 7 (seven!) of them are published.

 

Marjana is passionate about people, brands and organisations doing the right thing. She believes that to be kind to the people and to the planet is the ultimate answer to a better world. Her spare time? She can totally relate to Cicero’s quote that a room without books is like a body without a soul. When not reading, she spends her time with the family, preferably outdoors. She likes to refer to nature as to her religion.

 

Klavdija has graduated in Business Administration and Econonomics, and  specialised in marketing. The digital technologies have been her  passion since… forever. Curious by default, she is the definition of a self-learning enthusiast. Plus – every meaningful course or workshop there was – she took it. When she is not experimenting with the latest trends, she hikes (take that, Kilimanjaro!), travels, and enjoys nature in general.

 

Not your typical marketing guy, Dušan is a professor of geography and has a bachelor’s degree in sociology of culture. The shift into marketing kind of happened naturally, after learning the tricks of the (content) trade at a financial newspaper for several years.  As a passionate windsurfer and kitesurfer he learned the problem of (micro)plastic pollution riding the waves of Canary islands, Morocco and roaming the beaches of Greece with his family in their trusty old camper. Oh, and did we mention he’s a specialty coffee roaster?

 

WHY DID WE CHOOSE INDIEGOGO?

At PlanetCare, we are on the brink of revolutionizing the fight against microplastic pollution with our cutting-edge PlanetCare 2.0 filter. With hundreds of hours of meticulous testing completed, we are ready to take the next giant leap. 

So, why Indiegogo?

This is not just a platform for raising funds for us; it’s a stage to amplify our voice and rally together for a common cause. By choosing Indiegogo, we are determined to spread awareness about the urgent problem of microplastic pollution that plagues our oceans.

Your support holds the potential to ignite a movement – one that advocates for policy change, making microfiber filters mandatory in all new washing machines. Together, we can create a ripple effect that resonates with policymakers and shapes a cleaner, bluer and greener future.

But we need more than just your financial support; we need your belief in our dedicated team and the passion that fuels our mission. With your backing, we can overcome the final obstacle – securing the necessary tooling to start a full-scale production of PlanetCare 2.0.

By supporting us on Indiegogo, you are not just contributing to a product – you are making a profound statement that Earth deserves our utmost care and protection.

Let’s make a stand together!

With heartfelt gratitude, the PlanetCare team