World-first microplastic recycling facility launches in Cornwall
Cleaner Seas Group aims to save up to 86 tonnes of microfibres annually from polluting the ocean
A world-first microplastic recycling facility has launched in Cornwall.
The Microfibre Filter Hub, Microplastic Recycling Lab and Return + Recycle Centre is set to save up to 86 tonnes of microfibres annually from polluting the ocean.
The new centre brings together Cleaner Seas Group’s innovative microfibre filter technology with a ground-breaking closed-loop recycling system.
Microplastics are now found in every corner of our planet - from the deepest parts of the ocean to the air we breathe to the food we eat. A 2022 study found microplastics in the blood of 80% of people tested, while the UN Environment Programme estimates that 13 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Dave Miller, CEO, Cleaner Seas Group, said: "Let’s be honest - microplastic pollution is a global crisis hiding in plain sight. It’s in our oceans, our food, our brains and and our bloodstreams. We’re told it’s too complex to fix, too late to act - but we’re proving that’s not true.
"This new facility isn’t just about filtration or recycling - it’s about completely shifting the way we deal with waste and sustainable materials."
It marks a critical moment not just for the UK tech scene, but for the global fight against microplastics - one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Dave Miller added: "We’ve built a system that stops microplastics before they enter our waterways and transforms them into materials with real value. That’s a genuine circular economy in action - not theory, not greenwash, but something tangible, scalable and right here in Cornwall.
"It shows you don’t have to choose between protecting the planet and building a commercially viable business. You can do both. And in a world crying out for climate action and practical solutions, we’re proud to be offering one. This is just the beginning."
The facility also represents a major investment in Cornwall’s future. With support from Cornwall Council via the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) the centre will create green jobs, fuel research and innovation, and put Cornwall at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing.
Cleaner Seas Group’s technology is already being adopted at scale, including in the travel sector. In 2024, Marella Cruises, part of the TUI Group, became the first cruise line to fit microfibre filters across its entire fleet.
The industry-first rollout is designed to capture tens of thousands of plastic microfibres every week - amounting to an estimated 500kg of microfibre pollution per ship, per year. It sets a new sustainability benchmark for cruise operators worldwide and underlines the versatility and real-world impact of Cleaner Seas’ solution.
With global conversations heating up around plastic pollution, policy shifts on the horizon, and growing public demand for action, Cleaner Seas Group is ready to lead the charge. The Bude facility represents the first step in a wider expansion plan – with a roadmap for future tech development, new sector partnerships, and a bold mission: stop microplastic pollution before it starts.
This mission is echoed by leading voices in ocean conservation. Both Sir David Attenborough and Prince William have repeatedly championed the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems, with Attenborough highlighting ocean plastic as a crisis that can no longer be ignored. Cleaner Seas Group’s work offers a tangible, scalable solution - helping turn the tide on microplastic pollution, one filter at a time.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council is responsible for managing projects funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. Cleaner Seas Group has received £742,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.