NEWS: Monitoring Microfibre Emissions: Join the MISSION4WATER Matchmaking Event

Microplastics — and in particular microplastic textile fibres — are increasingly recognised as a widespread environmental issue. These tiny particles have been detected in water, soil, air, food, and even in the human body. Despite growing awareness, the methods used to observe and measure microplastic pollution are often perceived as complex or accessible only to specialised laboratories.

To address this challenge, the MISSION4WATER project invites NGOs, schools, companies, and other interested organisations to join an online matchmaking event on 30 March (14:00–17:00 CET), dedicated to monitoring microfibre emissions and microplastic pollution. The event is organised by Planet Care, Politecnico di Milano and ROLD within the MISSION4WATER project.

The event will introduce the topic of microplastics and present different monitoring approaches, ranging from simple methods suitable for educational and citizen science initiatives to advanced scientific techniques used in research laboratories. Special attention will be given to practical procedures that can be implemented with limited equipment, enabling organisations and communities to conduct meaningful observations and experiments.

Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations and explore how to support participatory studies and community-based monitoring initiatives.

What will be discussed:

  • Introduction to the MISSION4WATER project and its objectives
  • Textile fibre emissions in the broader context of microplastic pollution
  • Opportunities for collaboration in the characterisation of microplastic emissions from washing machines
  • Methods for measuring microplastics in different contexts, including environmental samples (air, water, soil), wastewater and effluents, consumer products (food, water, compost), biological samples and tissues.
  • Community experiences from the WINCA4T project
  • Discussion on how organisations, schools and NGOs can conduct simple monitoring studies

Expected outcomes

The event aims to:

  • Raise awareness about microplastic pollution
  • Make microplastic analysis more understandable and accessible
  • Encourage hands-on observations and citizen science initiatives
  • Foster collaboration and generate new project ideas

Participation is open to NGOs, schools, companies and other organisations interested in environmental monitoring and participatory science.

Registration (free): MISSION4WATER – 30 March 2026 Matchmaking – Fill out form