In 2010 alone, between 4-12 million metric tons of plastic waste entered the world’s oceans, degrading over time in smaller microplastic fragments. Rivers play a significant role in transporting this plastic to the ocean, with more than 1,000 rivers accounting for 80% of annual emissions to oceans. Microplastics are now considered an emerging aquatic pollutant, yet no systems can efficiently and systematically remove them from rivers before they enter broader aquatic environments and drinking water sources.

In response to this looming threat, PolyGone Systems aims to rid all water bodies of microplastic pollutants and to establish a circular economy for microplastic waste. Our team has innovated a biomimetic filtration system, the Artificial Root, which is designed to remove microplastic contaminants from a wide range of water bodies, such as wastewater treatment effluent channels, drinking water treatment channels, open streams, river mouths, and lake outflows. PolyGone is located in Princeton, NJ, composed of a dynamic team of researchers, architectural designers, public policy specialists, and communications experts. We are supported by Princeton University, the National Science Foundation, Unshackled Ventures, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.