Enzyme driven performance enhancement of laundry detergents: reducing the associated environmental burden

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences

Abstract

The project aims to reduce the environmental burden of laundry across three main research areas; developing enzymatic solutions to increase the longevity of clothing, creating a novel methodology to quantify the release of plastic microfibres, and determining the fate of textile associated plastic in the environment. The project will develop novel methodologies in each of these areas to improve the sustainability of the textile industry.

By creating enzymatic solutions targeting specific regions within textiles it will allow enzymes to be engineered making them more efficient. This will be achieved by determining the physiochemical interactions between enzymes and the textile surface utilising novel technologies, increasing the longevity of clothing. By increasing a garments lifespan, it will help reduce the rapid rate of clothing being discarded by consumers.

In the current absence of no standardised protocol, a novel methodology simulating full-scale washing that can more accurately quantify plastic microfibre release could be used by industry to determine microfibre release rates, but also highlight the key drivers of release that will inform mitigation strategies.

Plastic microfibres that are released during laundry can be found entering the environment in large quantities. Determining the fate of these plastic materials by designing metagenomic (large quantities of genetic data) analysis tools and creating unique protocols for investigating substrates with potential plastic degrading microbes, will highlight the microbial community associated with plastic in environmental conditions. From this, species can be targeted for enzymatic engineering, for example increasing the temperature at which these enzymes are optimal may increase the degradation rate in highly crystalline polymers. Enzymes characterised could be used by industry to engineer biodegradation solutions to plastic recycling.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Our research into the understanding of the drivers of plastic microfibre release during laundry has revealed some interesting and counter-intuitive findings. Surprisingly, delicate cycles increased microfibre release by 800,000 fibres compared to 'normal' wash cycles. This is due to the higher water-to-volume-ratio and lower spin speeds used in these cycles which pluck microfibres from the garments.

CNN story:
http://bit.ly/CNN_Max_Kelly_Microfibres
Exploitation Route We developed a new small-scale methodology for testing microfibre release during laundry that can more accurately quantify small amounts of fibres.

Furthermore, the research can inform the general public on how to reduce the release of plastic microfibres when they carry out laundry. Firstly by avoiding delicate cycles for every day washing. But also by using full wash loads to prevent the larger volumes of water removing more microfibres from fewer garments. The research can also help inform industrial practices such as garment manufacturing or washing machine manufacturing. We found newer garments release more fibres so a wash step after garment manufacturing could help reduce the release of fibres. We are also seeing a transition in areas of the globe that used traditional large water consuming machines to smaller efficient counter-parts.
Sectors Energy

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Retail

URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/26/vicious-cycle-delicate-wash-releases-more-plastic-microfibres
 
Description The findings have featured across global media outlets informing the public and industry in laundry best practices.
First Year Of Impact 2019
Sector Energy,Environment
Impact Types Societal

 
Description EPSRC Innovation Placement Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Councils EP/S515152/1
Amount £7,500 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2019 
End 02/2020
 
Description Appeared on BBC TV and radio 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BBC visited our research lab at P&G (industrial sponsor) for a press release regarding our publication: Importance of water-volume on the release of ymicroplastc fibres from laundry.

This resulted in a TV appearance for BBC news and an interview on BBC 4 radio.

The wider global press releases reach an audience over 500 million according to Newcastle university press release office.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Interview with CNN 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact CNN visited Newcastle University to do a special story on our research following our publication: Importance of water-volume on the release of microplastic fibres from laundry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/laundry-plastics-microfibers-world-oceans-day/index.html
 
Description School visit and presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 55 pupils attended a presentation I delivered describing my research at my home college.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021