Episode 108 — Filtering the Future: Adam Root and the Fight Against Microplastics
This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re talking about water—and one founder’s mission to remove microplastics from it.
Adam Root, founder and CEO of Matter, shares how he built a regenerative filtration system that captures and recycles microfibers before they pollute rivers and oceans. His journey starts with quitting a corporate job, running a Japanese street food business, and building his first prototype with less than $300.
Highlights
“I read a report about microfiber pollution and realized—this is one of the biggest invisible problems of our time. Somebody needed to fix it.”
“The oceans are the lungs of our planet. They sequester more carbon than all the plants and trees on Earth—and we’re choking them with plastic.”
“Our filter has no disposable parts. It regenerates itself. We can scale from washing machines to factories filtering millions of liters a day.”
“Phase one: stop the bleeding. Phase two: circular materials. Phase three: figure out what to do with all that recovered fiber—and make something amazing.”
Takeaway
Microfiber pollution is massive, invisible, and solvable.
Matter’s regenerative filter design could transform industrial water systems, reduce energy use, and keep plastics out of the ocean—while saving companies money. Climate tech doesn’t always start in a lab; sometimes it starts in a borrowed kitchen with a great idea and a lot of hustle.
Stay Connected
Email Molly at in@everybodyinthepool.com and find all episodes at everybodyinthepool.com.
Support the show and listen ad-free by subscribing in your podcast app of choice.
Together, we can get this done.