The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Max's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Max
Max is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within the International Marine Litter Research Unit, working as part of a global, interdisciplinary team on the GCRF: Systems Analysis Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste in Indonesian Societies (PISCES) project. PISCES focuses on identifying the sources, pathways, and fates of plastic litter across Indonesia on a national scale. Max is leading the development and implementation of novel rapid litter surveys to categorize plastic waste from its release into the environment and trace it across increasing distances from source to sea. This research provides crucial empirical evidence on the abundance and types of plastic pollution in different environments throughout Indonesia, aimed at informing targeted interventions to mitigate plastic pollution.
In addition, Max is a key member of the Future Fibres Network +, a UKRI-funded initiative embedding Environmental Science into the core of the UK fashion and textile industry.
Max is leading a project within this network, in collaboration with Project Plan B, which aims to advance textile-to-textile recycling by:
- Developing pre-recycling treatment processes to enhance recycled polyester quality.
- Engaging stakeholders to identify and address barriers to fiber recycling.
- Investigating the environmental impact of recycled garments by measuring microfibre release during laundering.
- Creating a knowledge repository to optimize recycling practices and encourage industry-wide adoption.
Max is also collaborating with Procter & Gamble, Northumbria University, and Newcastle University on a pioneering project to pilot biotic clothing prototypes containing Bacillus spores. These prototypes are designed to be cared for between washes using specific products that foster a safe and effective microbial community capable of mitigating persistent odours and extending the lifespan of polyester garments.
In addition to his research, Max has significant expertise in science communication, having written, directed, and produced multiple films that highlight key research projects and large-scale initiatives, such as Indonesia Unwrapped | A Plastic Paradise.
Max’s previous research, conducted during his Industrial CASE PhD with Procter & Gamble, included:
- Enzymatic development of detergents for textile longevity: Max developed cutting-edge bioimaging methods, leading to the discovery of novel enzyme candidates to combat textile pilling - a long-standing issue since the 1990s. His work contributed to Procter & Gamble’s product credentialing for 'Tide' detergent in North America and established low-cost industry standards for evaluating enzyme performance.
- Plastic microfibre release during laundry: He published a groundbreaking small-scale method for quantifying plastic microfibre release, demonstrating the significant role of hydrodynamic water flow in microfibre shedding.
- Fate of plastic in the environment: Max conducted research on the colonization and biodegradation of microorganisms in extreme environments such as the deep sea, Arctic, and acidic hot springs. He utilized Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bioinformatics to uncover new plastisphere communities associated with plastic debris.
See
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/laundry-plastics-microfibers-world-oceans-day/index.html
