344 - Chemical Engineer: The Shocking Place Microplastics Are Entering Your Body Every Day
Wed Jan 28 2026
Microplastics are everywhere. They're in our oceans, our soil, and even inside the human body. For years, the narrative has been bleak. This is unavoidable. But what if that isn't the whole story?
In this episode, we sit down with Max Pennington, a chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who decided to take on one of the most overlooked sources of microplastic pollution: our laundry. What started as an experiment in a fraternity basement grew into a patented filtration technology that captures more than 90% of microplastics from washing machine wastewater.
Max shares how curiosity turned into conviction and what it really takes to transform an environmental problem into a scalable solution. We also talk about the hidden ways microplastics enter our lives, what can actually be done to reduce exposure, and why there's real reason to be optimistic about stopping pollution at the source.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by environmental issues but still hopeful that smart solutions exist, this conversation is for you.
What we discuss:
The most dangerous form of microplastics.
What microplastics can do to the human body.
Practical, actionable steps people can take right now to reduce their exposure.
The role of fast fashion in accelerating microplastic pollution.
Why simply switching to 100% cotton clothing is not enough.
Max's long-term goals and vision for this technology.
Resources:
https://www.cleanr.life/
https://www.instagram.com/cleanr.life/
https://www.facebook.com/CLEANR.life/
Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act
https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/
Share the website and get your resources here
https://kidsandmilk.org/
Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips
https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide
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Microplastics are everywhere. They're in our oceans, our soil, and even inside the human body. For years, the narrative has been bleak. This is unavoidable. But what if that isn't the whole story? In this episode, we sit down with Max Pennington, a chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who decided to take on one of the most overlooked sources of microplastic pollution: our laundry. What started as an experiment in a fraternity basement grew into a patented filtration technology that captures more than 90% of microplastics from washing machine wastewater. Max shares how curiosity turned into conviction and what it really takes to transform an environmental problem into a scalable solution. We also talk about the hidden ways microplastics enter our lives, what can actually be done to reduce exposure, and why there's real reason to be optimistic about stopping pollution at the source. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by environmental issues but still hopeful that smart solutions exist, this conversation is for you. What we discuss: The most dangerous form of microplastics. What microplastics can do to the human body. Practical, actionable steps people can take right now to reduce their exposure. The role of fast fashion in accelerating microplastic pollution. Why simply switching to 100% cotton clothing is not enough. Max's long-term goals and vision for this technology. Resources: https://www.cleanr.life/ https://www.instagram.com/cleanr.life/ https://www.facebook.com/CLEANR.life/ Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/shop/ ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good