The Atlantic County Utilities Authority in New Jersey has installed a microplastics removal system developed by startup PolyGone Systems at its Atlantic City wastewater treatment facility following a two-year pilot program. The installation is described by the utility as the first of its kind worldwide and is fully funded by a federal grant.

Founded by former Princeton University graduate students Nathanial Banks and Yidian Liu, PolyGone developed technology that mimics ultrahydrophobic wetland plants, which attract and capture microplastics from water. The system uses specially designed units called Polypods to remove the particles before treated wastewater is discharged into the environment.

PolyGone’s founders said laboratory testing showed the technology could remove more than 98% of microplastics under controlled conditions. Performance data for the newly installed commercial system are not yet available, although the company expects it to remove a majority of the particles.

Microplastics can enter wastewater systems through industrial discharges, stormwater runoff and household laundry. The Atlantic County Utilities Authority said removing the particles before discharge is important because its treated effluent flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

PolyGone has also launched a similar system at a wastewater treatment plant in California and is exploring ways to adapt the technology for residential applications.