A Review on Advanced Technology for Sustainable Management of Synthetic Microplastic Waste

Synthetic microfiber pollution creates an escalating threat to both the environment and human health risks from the proliferation of synthetic microfiber pollution. Throughout their life cycle—spanning manufacturing, usage, and disposal—textiles release minute microfibers into the surroundings, intensifying the threat posed by synthetic microfiber pollution. The textile and fashion sectors face a pressing need for sustainable practices to mitigate the escalating hazards associated with microfiber pollution. A multitude of scientific investigations examine the deleterious impact of synthetic microfiber pollutants on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the food chain, and human health. As microfiber particles are released from washing machines into urban drainage systems, they eventually get down to the lake and river, subsequently dispersing into the ocean through oceanic currents owing to their low density. To address this pervasive issue, various technologies for the remediation of microfibers are emerging, offering hope for sustainable solutions. Implementing these technologies becomes integral to curbing the environmental and health impacts of synthetic microfiber pollution. This chapter comprehensively examines advanced technologies aimed at sustainably managing synthetic microfiber waste, emphasizing an improved understanding of its generation, ecological impact, and potential threats to aquatic organisms and human health.