FIX, Elisava School students collaborate to reduce the impact of microplastics

The students at Elisava School’s Industrial Design Engineering and Design degrees are now collaborating with Girbau Lab in a new project, FIX, as part of their TGFs [final grade paper]. The initiative was born with the purpose of collecting and treating the microplastics released during the washing process in industrial washing machines and thus reduce their impact on the environment.

This collaboration between Elisava and Girbau is promoted by Girbau LAB, which, together with the Elisava School of Design and Engineering students, works on projects which have a real impact on circular laundry and zero waste.

In previous editions, with the CLINT project, students worked on the recovery of solid textile waste captured directly from the drying machines’ filters (the lint) to turn it into cardboard, which has then high potential for applications in different fields and sectors.
With FIX, the students are now aiming to develop a solution to collect microplastics, design materials from the recovered waste, and how to best communicate the solution [to the public].

With these types of collaborations, students learn to think in terms of sustainability, to incorporate the circular model, and to revalue waste, which they help take on a new form and become visible. In turn, Girbau LAB seeks to promote the professional careers of young people through these projects and through real-world assignments that offer job opportunities.