LIFE CASCADE project: Removal of microplastics and other pollutants from textile wastewater

The emission of some emerging contaminants such as microplastics (MPs) and other micropollutants by the textile sector has drawn considerable attention of the scientific community at global level. Some of these substances were used in many industrial sectors for decades, and therefore are ubiquitous in the environment. MPs represent one of the addressed problems, whose origin is largely connected to the textile production cycle and deterioration of textile products. Another important category is that of poly and per-fluorinated substances (PFAS) are among the most persistent micropollutants and among the most studied by researchers due to their impact on the environment and human health. Developing methods for detecting and sustainably removing these micropollutants is important, since existing wastewater treatment plants are not specifically designed for removing these substances. The EU LIFE CASCADE project (EU Call LIFE-2022-SAP-ENV) aims at developing analytical procedures and wastewater treatment technologies meant to detect and remove two very critical categories of micro and emerging contaminants for the textile sector: MPs and PFAS. The project, coordinated by Centro Tessile Serico Sostenibile (CTSS), involves research laboratories of different universities and organizations (Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Università degli Studi di Brescia, AquaSoil, Acquedotto Industriale, Biochemie, CITEVE, COMO ACQUA, De Nora, Lariana Depur, ZDHC) with world-class expertise in the management of pollutants in wastewater (WW). The output of the project includes three layers: standardized and multi-lab validated analytical protocols to detect and quantify PFAS and MP contaminants in heterogeneous textile WW; a modular set of WW treatment units to be installed at factory and municipal treatment plant levels; an orchestrating methodology meant to support the design and implementation of the best combination of treatment modules according to the textile district configuration and WW characteristics. Besides, the exposure and effects of PFAS and MPs on aquatic ecosystem in “natural” conditions and after specific treatments will be elucidated. The project demonstration solutions will be installed and tested in the Como Textile District and lab-scale experiments will also be carried out in cooperation with the Portugal textile district. The poster will illustrate the main features and activities of this four-year project.