Removal of microplastic fibres in laundry wastewater by ceramic microfiltration: A case study

Entering the aquatic environment mostly from laundry activities, microplastic fibres (MPF) pose significant concerns over ecological and human health risks. For the first time, this study showcases the capabilities of a pilot plant incorporating a ceramic membrane for the removal of MPF from industrial laundry wastewater. The pilot ceramic membrane system achieved excellent MPF removal efficiency of over 97% across eight-week operations for intensive influent concentration of 38,616 ± 1140 MPF/L. In addition, the pilot plant also achieved excellent performance regarding basic water quality parameters, including >90% removal of turbidity and total suspended solids, 40% removal of total organic carbon, and 65% removal of oil and grease. Furthermore, the ceramic filter system was able to maintain stable performance under consistent water temperatures of 32-34 °C, indicating high energy efficiency. The success of this pilot plant paves the way for future development of MPF removal initiatives at commercial laundry facilities and justifies the progression of this pilot scale evaluation to full-scale implementation.