Electrocoagulation cleanup with recycled cans

Microplastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue, raising concerns not only for aquatic life but also for human health. These tiny plastic fragments, often smaller than 5 mm can easily bypass conventional filtration systems and contaminate our water sources. In this study, we explore a simple yet innovative solution: using electrocoagulation (EC) with recycled aluminium cans to remove microplastics from water. By repurposing waste materials as electrodes, this method offers an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional approaches, making sustainability part of the solution itself. Aluminium cans were chosen for their high conductivity, lightweight properties, and wide availability as everyday waste. The experiment focused on three key variables: voltage (5 V, 10 V, 15 V), supporting electrolyte concentration (0.01 M and 0.1 M), and PET microplastic levels (0.3, 0.7, 1.0 g/L). The EC process ran for 60 minutes, with microplastic removal measured using both FTIR spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Our results were promising. The best performance was seen at a PET concentration of 0.3 g/L, achieving removal rates of 76.33% (gravimetric) and 85.82% (FTIR). A voltage of 15 V yielded up to 76.53% and 72.73% removal, while a 0.1 M electrolyte concentration reached 71.73% and 50.90%, respectively. Beyond its effectiveness, this method stands out for its practicality especially in areas without access to advanced water treatment facilities. By turning everyday waste into a valuable resource, we not only clean our water but also take a step toward a more sustainable future.