Suzuki outboard motor collects ocean micro-plastic while cooling engine

Suzuki has unveiled a micro-plastic collection device that can be installed on outboard motors.

Aimed at contributing to the fight against marine plastic pollution, the device takes advantage of the structure and workings of motors to collect waste from the water.

The collecting device is installed to an outboard motor return hose, through which tonnes of water flow after being pumped up and around the engine as coolant, before being returned to the ocean. A filter inside the device collects micro-plastic waste as the water flows through. Suzuki research carried out in Japan identified materials such as urethane, nylon and even wood chip.

The micro-plastic collection device (Credit: Suzuki)

“Through this device, micro-plastic waste around the water surfaces can be collected just by running the boat,” a Suzuki press release said.

The company is doing further research with the device in other parts of the ocean, and aims to make improvements. The release said it plans to introduce the device as an optional part from 2021, before incorporating it as a standard feature.

Although the device could reduce micro-plastic levels in the water around a boat, it is unclear how significant its overall contribution will be given the scale of the challenge. According to research carried out by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory there could be more than 3,700 particles per cubic metre of water, although other estimates are far higher when taking ‘mini-microplastics’ into account.

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