The Role of Recycling in Reducing Microplastic Pollution in Textile Industry

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, 113 million tonnes of fibers were manufactured in 2000; forecasts suggested that this would increase to 149 million tonnes by 2030. Despite the introduction of numerous initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable textile sector, less than 1% of discarded clothing is transformed into new raw materials, with around 25% either reused or recycled and nearly 75% of textile waste landfilled.

The textile and clothing industry contributes substantially to environmental degradation through greenhouse gas emissions (1.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2015), soil contamination, and the release of microplastics and nanoplastics during the laundering, wearing, and disposal of fabrics in landfills. Because synthetic fibers are a primary source of microplastics released into aquatic systems, enhancing textile recycling is not only vital for reducing waste but also constitutes a crucial approach to mitigating microfiber pollution across the textile value chain. These contaminants reach wastewater treatment facilities, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans, raising significant concerns for both environmental and human health.

In this context, potential research directions could include the following:

• Valorization of post-consumer textile materials within a circular economy framework;
• Characterization of wastewater generated during textile waste processing and its subsequent treatment;
• Assessment of the purity and quality of new synthetic fibers derived from post-consumer textiles;
• Investigation of microplastic and nanoplastic release from textile materials throughout their life cycle;
• Development of advanced technologies for removing pollutants from textile wastewater;
• Evaluation of the environmental and human health impacts of textile waste and associated wastewater.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Waste.

Dr. Maria Râpă
Dr. Carmen Gaidau
Guest Editors

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