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The impact of a large textile laundry facility on the overall influx of microplastics and their removal in two wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands
Summary
Researchers measured microplastic contributions from a large industrial textile laundry facility and found it accounted for 13% of the total microplastic load entering a nearby wastewater treatment plant. Encouragingly, the treatment plants removed over 99.8% of microplastics larger than 50 micrometers, suggesting that targeting major point-source emitters like laundries could be an efficient strategy for reducing plastic pollution.
Abstract At present, there is a lack of understanding regarding the extent to which various sources contribute to the total incoming load of microplastics (MPs) into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated the contribution of an industrial textile laundry facility (ITLF) to the overall influx of MPs and their removal in two WWTPs. MPs were analysed by means of microscopic quantitative analysis in the wash water from a large textile laundry facility, as well as in the influent of the receiving WWTP. Additionally, influent and effluent flows of two WWTPs were analysed. Results demonstrated that a single-point emitter of MPs, i.e. an ITLF, contributed substantially (13%) to the overall influx of MPs in a WWTP. MPs were effectively removed (≥ 99.8% removal, particle size > 50 µm) in two separate WWTPs. As indicated in this study, actions mitigating the emission of MPs from single-point emitters are worthwhile and could be more cost-effective than implementing additional treatment processes in the WWTPs.