Portuguese startup creates laundry bag that reduces pollution in rivers and oceans
August 4, 2021, 9:09 am

pollution in rivers and oceans

The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that Portuguese startup Skizo, which is incubated in the Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto (UPTEC), announced on Tuesday that it has created a laundry bag that reduces pollution in rivers and oceans by retaining the microplastics that come loose from synthetic fibers.

the Xinhua said, Andre Facote, CEO and co-founder of Skizo, estimated that "35 percent of microplastics released into the ocean come from the wear and tear of synthetic textiles during washing."

"These microplastics are ingested by fish, which we then consume," he warned in a UPTEC news release, adding that this bag is "a first step" in solving the environmental and health problem.

Portuguese startup creates laundry bag that reduces pollution in rivers and oceans

According to Facote, the bag is suitable for use with any synthetic garment and compatible with any washing machine.

According to the news release, the bag was developed from polyamide extracted from discarded fishing nets and plastics collected from Portugal's coasts and beaches, and transformed into textile material by companies in the sector.

Facote said: "Since the bags are made with a thin layer and with openings of about 50 micrometers, the fibers that can be released from synthetic clothes are retained in the bag and can be discarded for plastic recycling."

The technology company also develops products made from the recycling of these collected microplastics, such as travel bags, bathing suits and shoes, having already exported to several European countries, as well as Brazil, the United States and Canada.

Source: xinhua

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”