CLEANR + Cleveland:
Stopping Microplastics Together
CLEANR’s leading the global fight against microplastic pollution with the support of the Greater Cleveland community. From protecting our Great Lakes today to clean water everywhere tomorrow, we’re in this together.
Our Cleveland Story
CLEANR is currently based in Cleveland out of Case Western Reserve University’s Sears think[box] and was founded by Case students. Surrounded by world-class researchers, innovators, and a passionate community, we built a microplastics filter that can work in every home to make protecting our environment easier for everyone.
The clothing and fabrics in our laundry are actually the top source of microplastic pollution worldwide – and Lake Erie is one of the most polluted of all the Great Lakes. That makes Cleveland the perfect place to take on this challenge and lead this fight.
We believe our city can be ground zero for solving the microplastics crisis.
“From Cincinnati to Cleveland, Ohio has always been home for me. Launching CLEANR here means everything. We’re tackling a global challenge, but we’re doing it with the spirit that makes Cleveland special. Every time I visit Lake Erie, I’m reminded why this work matters: protecting our water, our families, and our future.”
Max Pennington
CLEANR CEO + Co-Founder
(Ohio-Native + Cleveland Resident)
CLEANR Around Cleveland
From Cleveland – For the World
Founded + Based at CWRU
CLEANR was born in Cleveland and created by three Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) students who believed a small team could take on a massive problem: microplastic pollution. From the beginning at Sears think[box], we’ve been guided by innovation, grit, and Cleveland pride. CLEANR is proud to call Cleveland home.
Celebrated Our Product Launch on the Shores of Lake Erie
In June 2025, we officially launched at the Great Lakes Science Center, standing beside our neighbors, community leaders, and global voices all united by one mission: to protect our water. There was no better place than Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie, to share our vision with the world.
Collaboration with Local Universities
Our journey has been shaped by Northeast Ohio’s incredible ecosystem of researchers, partners, and advocates. We have recently collaborated with CWRU and the University of Akron to rollout our university filtration program, capturing microplastics and involving students in sustainability. We love the Ohio community and feel united by a passion for science, sustainability, and innovation.
GCP's Best in Tech Award 2025
Most recently, CLEANR was honored with the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Best in Tech Award of 2025, recognition that our Cleveland-born innovation is making a global impact.
What Cleveland Means to Us
Cleveland is more than our home. It’s where the fight for clean water begins. From the Great Lakes to every river, tap, and family, we’re proud to carry Cleveland’s spirit of resilience into the world.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators
CLEANR has joined the Great Lakes Science Center for their Summer of Innovation: Sustainability Events. Families and kids across Cleveland got hands-on with science activities and learned how innovation can protect our water and environment.
Our team loves connecting with the community and showing how cool everyday items (like clothing) can look under a microscope – and how they can shed. Seeing Cleveland’s youngest innovators get excited about science reminds us why we do this work. To protect the future of our water for the next generation.
Microplastics in Lake Erie are a Growing Threat
The Cleveland Spotlight
Ideastream Public Media
The Cleveland Water Alliance
Spectrum News 1
