Bristol startup Matter has earned a spot as an Earthshot Prize finalist for creating a washing machine microplastic filter that captures pollution before it reaches the ocean.

The washing machine microplastic filter technology from Matter removes tiny plastic particles from laundry wastewater. The company developed Regen, a shoebox-sized device that attaches to any washing machine and stops microplastics from entering water systems. Washing machines are among the largest sources of microplastic pollution in the ocean worldwide.

The device sells for £199 and has been available since July last year. Bosch has already incorporated the technology into its manufacturing process. The washing machine microplastic filter works by trapping particles before wastewater enters drainage systems.

Matter competes against 14 other finalists for five £1 million Earthshot Prizes. Other contenders include Barbados for its push toward fossil-fuel freedom by 2030, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility for tropical forest preservation, and Quay Quarter Tower, the world’s first fully upcycled skyscraper.

Adam Root founded Matter eight years ago while working from his mother-in-law’s house in Essex. The 35-year-old engineer and SCUBA diver wanted to tackle water pollution directly. He now leads a team of 45 employees focused on expanding the washing machine microplastic filter solution globally.

Although he didn’t take home the prize, Root describes the finalist selection as equivalent to winning an Olympic gold medal for entrepreneurship. Nearly 2,500 nominees competed for this year’s spots. Root recalls feeling stunned by the lineup during his call with fellow finalists, which included the UN High Seas Treaty and the country of Barbados.

Each finalist receives mentoring, technical support, and resources through The Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme. Root says he feels like he has already won through the nomination itself.

Prince William launched The Earthshot Prize in 2020 to identify and support solutions that repair the planet. Previous winners have collectively reduced, avoided, or captured more than 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over four years. This year marks the program’s halfway point, with 2030 being the target year for significant environmental change.

The Earthshot Prize Council includes Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and actress Cate Blanchett alongside Prince William. They select winners across five categories covering ocean revival, climate solutions, waste reduction, nature protection, and air quality.

Past winners demonstrate the program’s scope and effectiveness. The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative played a crucial role in saving the Saiga Antelope from extinction in Kazakhstan. Boomitra partnered with over 10,000 farmers across Africa, India, the Americas, and Mongolia to remove nearly a million cars’ worth of CO2 through regenerative agriculture.

Washing machines release microplastics during every load when synthetic fabrics shed tiny particles. These particles pass through standard treatment systems and accumulate in oceans and waterways. Marine life ingests the plastics, which enter food chains and potentially affect human health.

Matter’s washing machine microplastic filter addresses this problem at the source. It can be used on both household and industrial levels. The compact design allows it to fit in standard laundry spaces and works with any type of washing machine.

Root balances his work with family life as a father expecting his second child. He feels an increased urgency to protect the environment for future generations. When he founded the business, Root examined all the major pollution sources across the planet and decided to use his engineering skills for good. His passion for scuba diving kept water pollution at the forefront of his concerns.

Christiana Figueres chairs The Earthshot Prize and described this year’s finalists as extraordinary examples of climate leadership. The 15 finalists emerged from a truly global search designed to be inclusive and representative of ingenuity rising across all corners of the world.

The November ceremony in Rio de Janeiro formed part of Earthshot Week, a broader series of events organized by Prince William’s initiative. The week highlights environmental innovation and connects solution providers with resources that can accelerate their impact.

Prince William said he was truly inspired by this year’s finalists. He added that in just five years, the Earthshot Prize has shown that answers to the planet’s greatest challenges not only already exist but are firmly within grasp.

Root’s journey, from developing the washing machine microplastic filter at his mother-in-law’s house to leading an Earthshot Prize finalist, demonstrates how individual initiative can scale into a global impact. Matter’s success with Bosch validates the commercial viability of the solution and opens doors for broader manufacturing partnerships.