Textile wastewater is polluted by inorganic/organic substances, polymers, dyes, and microfibers (MFs), which are microplastics (MPs) and natural fibers. This work is aimed at the preliminary investigation of MFs and MPs in textile industrial wastewater, and at evaluating the removal efficiency of an on-site wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Ten samples of inflows and outflows of the WWTP of a textile company (applying a physic-chemical process) have been analyzed. Firstly, the samples underwent a pretreatment with 15% hydrogen peroxide at 25 °C for 5 days to remove organic compounds. Secondly, the MFs were recovered from the aqueous phase by pre-screening centrifugation, density separation, and filtration as alternative options. Filtration obtained the best performances, compared to the other recovery processes. Thirdly, the MFs were counted through optical microscopy and the MPs were identified through micro-FTIR. The MFs amount in the inflow samples was in the range of 893–4452 MFs/L. The outflow samples (310–2404 MFs/L) exhibited a 38–65% reduction compared to the inflows, demonstrating that up to 62% of residual MFs can enter the sewer network or the receiving water body. Cotton and wool, and numerous MPs (acrylic, polyester, polypropylene, polyamide, and viscose/rayon) were identified in the inflow and outflow samples (with the only exception of “dense” viscose (rayon), not detected in the outflows, and probably retained by the WWTP with the sludge). This study, even if just preliminary, offers interesting hints for future research on MFs/MPs detection in textile wastewater, and on the performance of a full-scale WWT process for their removal.

Microfibers (MFs) are released into the environment during the entire life of textile materials, from manufacturing to disposal. It is evident that micro-sized wastes are just as significant as macro-sized ones, and this issue should be prioritized. The use of textile waste in sound insulation materials is increasingly gaining attention. However, conventional sound absorption materials, such as fiberglass, polyurethane, and melamine foams, offer high-performance acoustic properties, but are derived from non-renewable resources and contribute to environmental degradation. This study aims to develop environmentally friendly fibrous sound absorption panels by reusing MF waste generated during textile finishing processes. Waste MFs used within the scope of the study were collected from a textile finishing process’ wastewater containing a variety of fibers, including wool, cotton, acrylic, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, and viscose by filtration method and blended with polyester fiber as a binder. Then, acoustic panels were produced using a hot press technique by varying the panel thickness, density, and binder fiber ratio, and the physical, chemical, morphological, and acoustic properties of these panels were tested. Findings revealed that thickness emerged as a critical factor, with the thickest samples exhibiting the highest sound absorption coefficient (0.9 at 3000 Hz). Moreover, an increase in sample density correlated positively with enhanced sound absorption values, while the binder fiber ratio demonstrated a negative impact. Additionally, all samples exhibited hydrophobic characteristics, showcasing water resistance. The statistical analysis of sound absorption performance was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test, with the results visualized through boxplots. Compared to conventional materials, the developed MF-based panels provide an eco-friendly alternative by reducing reliance on virgin synthetic materials while achieving competitive sound absorption properties. This study enables sustainable waste management in the textile industry and the reuse of MF waste, providing alternative and environmentally friendly solutions to currently used sound absorption materials. While the recyclability and reuse potential of these panels remain promising, further research is needed to evaluate their long-term mechanical performance, resistance to environmental degradation, and practical implementation in real-world applications. Future investigations should focus on optimizing large-scale production processes and assessing the environmental footprint of these materials throughout their lifecycle.

Microplastic pollution is an important global problem caused by the textile industry, which accounts for 35% of microplastics emitted as microfibers (MFs). Microplastics interact with a variety of organisms due to their small dimensions, leading to chromosomal mutations. The goal of this research is to identify and separate microfibers discharged by textile finishing machinery, which is used to give textiles a soft touch. Within the scope of the study, wastewater samples were taken separately in February and March 2022, right after the device exit, before being discharged to the factory effluent and pre-treated for 5 days at 25 °C with 15% H2O2. Then, the microfibers were separated from the wastewater with the help of a filter. The accumulated microfibers on the filters were examined using a light microscope, and their chemical composition was determined using micro-FTIR analysis. Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray scanning electron microscopy (EDX/SEM) was used for analyzing the structure of microfibers. The findings revealed the presence of acrylic and cotton microfibers in the wastewater samples, with varying concentrations observed on different dates (0.058 g/L and 0.251 g/L), emphasizing the severity of the microplastic issue we currently face.