CLEANR began as a simple idea from three Case Western Reserve engineering students: help people clean the planet while they clean their clothes.

Now, they’re putting their microplastic-filtering device in the hands of everyday consumers — the first step in a bigger plan to get the technology built into every washing machine.

CLEANR is set to deliver its first consumer filters on World Ocean Day, June 8 — bringing the technology beyond campuses for the first time. The filter, which costs $249.99, attaches to all washing machine makes and models. The filter takes less than 15 minutes to set up and less than 30 seconds a week to maintain.